Festa Frawli 2008
Video of the Event - Click Here
Article - The Times of Malta - 18 April 2008
Article - The Times of Malta - 20 April 2008
Article - The Times of Malta - 21 April 2008
The Festa Frawli 2008 (Strawberry Feast) this year was held on the 20th of April in the main village square in front of the Mgarr parish church.
The agricultural village of Mgarr, Malta is renowned for the quality and unique taste of it's strawberries. Throughout the event, a breathtaking amount of fresh strawberries was sold. A contant supply of freshly picked strawberries was being ferried constantly to the event throughout the day.
Also counltess other products made with strawberries, from choclate gatoux and cakes, right to smoothies, milk-shakes, ice-cream waffles, pancakes, strawberry jams and also strawberry wine were sold out well before the end of the event. Local farmers also having run out of fresh strawberries.
The popular Maltese folk groups Aurora along with many others also entertained the many visitors throughout the day, playing traditional Maltese tunes with typical folk Maltese instruments. From the musicians joyful expressions it was obvious they were having a wonderful time too! Surrounded by the lush green valleys of Mgarr, the parish square (pictured below) offerred an idyllic scenario for such an event.
The Lejla Mgarrija commission supported by the Mgarr local council have come up with the idea and organised the first 'Festa Frawli' last year, as a sister event to the Lejla Mgarrija. The event was a success beyond everyone's expectations, with large crowds buying up all products within an hour! All of the Maltsese news outlets featured prominently the event. "Strawberries were sold faster than growers could pack them yesterday as the Parvis of the Mġarr church turned ‘red’ during the first strawberry fest in this quaint agricultural village” (Times of Malta 16/04/07). The event was indeed featured on the front page of all major Maltese newspapers. The want for such events was clearly there, so it was decided to make Festa Frawli an annual event, and greatly amplify the selection and supply of all products on sale.
The 'Festa Frawli' is organized exclusively by the Mgarr villagers on a voluntary basis, guided by the 'Kumissjoni Lejla Mgarrija' with support from the Mgarr local council. All of them gave their time freely and poured in considerable effort to make the event possible. Starting from the farmers, who set aside produce for the event, to renowned Maltese companies which freely loaned the multitude of equipment needed, donated raw material and producers, and also made available their employees to help out. Thus, the event is a non-commercial event with the sole intent of promoting Mgarr products.
