A 28-year-old Zejtun man was injured on Thursday at around 1100 CET when the bull he was trying to load on his truck, freaked out and started running towards the direction of the Buskett Gardens where the popular Imnarja festivities were taking place.
Another man was injured during the bull’s wild run which was then halted by a number of persons who managed to restrain the animal.
The police are investigating the accident.
The Imnarja activities are celebrated on June 29, the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. ‘Imnarja’ comes from the Italian word ‘luminaria’, meaning illumination, hence a Festival of Light. The city of Mdina would be lit up including the cathedral as a sign of celebration.
This feast is older than the coming of the Knights to Malta in 1530 and is essentially a country folk-festival. It was celebrated to break the routine of hard work that the farmers would have endured after harvest time and throughout the year. Traditionally, the country girls used to go to Buskett in their wedding dresses with their intended husbands, irrespective of the season in which they were to be married.
Other traditions include the bare-back horseriding, which is still held until today, in the afternoon of June 29. For about three centuries the loggia overlooking the traditional racecourse at the foot of 'Saqajja' has served for the distribution of the 'palji'. A Latin motto inscribed on the wall reads as follows: "Cuicumque Legitime Certaverit -1696", which may be freely translated as "for all who lawfully strive to win."
On Wednesday June 28, Archbishop Guzeppi Mercieca celebrated religious functions at the Mdina Cathedral, whilst at 0700 CET on Thursday, there was a procession of adoration from St.Paul’s Church in Rabat to the Cathedral. At 0930 CET, the Archbishop celebrated Pontifical Mass. Further religious celebrations will be held on Thursday evening at the Cathedral.
Moreover, traditional festivities began on Wednesday in Buskett Gardens with the traditional meal of rabbit and wine dedicated to the memory of folklore singer Frans Baldacchino, known as il-Budaj, who passed away recently.
Further celebrations will be held today including animal shows and competitions and the traditional horse races.
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