Trades of our Fathers 2010 photo galleries, videos & articles.

Thanks to the hard work by the myriad of volunteers, the first edition of 'Trades of our Fathers' was an unquestionable success. With the main venue being filled to capacity by the time the Festival was in full swing. Several attendees also joined in the re-enactments, and tried their hand (quite succesfully) at tasks such as ploughing and wheat treshing. Visit this site for regular updates with photo galleries, videos and write ups on the first Trades of our Fathers festival.

Times of Malta: Short Article and Video

• Il-Qiegha, two Imgarr farmers, father & son, harvest wheat using their sickles.
• Interview with 'Frangisk' ta' Bingemma, an octagenarian farmer
• Ghana spirtu pront; four folk singers improvise on the old farmers' hardships.
• Trades of our Fathers 2010 overview video.

Photo Gallery by Mario Vassallo offering a broad coverage of this year's Festival.

Trades of our Fathers - (Hidmet Missirijietna)

Traditional Agriculture and Crafts Festival.

9th July 2010 from 6:00pm - Imgarr Malta

Travel back in time, right in the pre-industrial Imgarr and witness first hand the life, work and traditions of our forefathers. A Celebration of rural heritage through Arts, Crafts and Trades of old.

• Large scale, real life traditional wheat harvesting by hand. 'il-Qiegha'. Ploughing, Harvesting, ,Threshing and winnowing accuratly re-enacted with several farmers and actors in period costumes, throughout the Festival.
• Performed right in the Imgarr valley wheat fields using authentic tools as well as Maltsese farm animals; including donkeys, cows, sheep, chickens and more.
• Rural crafts and trades exhibitions including sheep wool weaving, fishnets, wicker baskets, looms and artistic embroidery.
• Imgarr products & delicacies; Olive Oil, Honey, Home Wine, Gbejniet (sheep milk cheeselets), Seasonings & Herbs and a variety of local produce on sale.
• Exhibition of an extensive collection of agricultural tools & machinery & crafts.
• Maltese folk singing (Ghana) and other folk themed live performances.
• Skewered Pig dinner with fresh vegetables, potatoes and home wine, prepared following a traditional rural recipe.

An educational and unique event for the whole family, definetly not to be missed. Parking area will be available right near the Festival site. Also public Transport ( Bus No.47) stops right next to the event. Signs throughout Imgarr roads will guide you to Festival; in the fields near Bingemma Road. Updates with more details soon.

This is a non-profit event by the Mgarr Youth Group & Mgarr Drama Company supported by the Mgarr Local Council. Contacts: Tel: 21520011 / 27520011 or e-mail: mgarr.lc@gov.mt

 

Festa Frawli 2010 (Strawberry Festival) 11th April 10:00 to 17:00 Imgarr Parish Square

Thanks to the volunteer's hard work, the 4th edition of Festa Frawli was again an outstanding success. The new parvis layout proved to be a winner, with crowds flowing smoothly and with plenty of room to enjoy the food, entertainment and soak in Imgarr's unique surroundings. Last year's record has been broken, with more then eight tonnes of fresh strawberries being sold, with an additional ton being used to prepare the myriad of food and drinks! Again, Festa Frawli was made possible thanks to the selfless dedication of volunteers who have worked tirelessly night and day to setup the event. A heartfelt thank you also to the sponsors particularly to Maypole bakery, who was present in full force, and togather with Ta' Soldi made the gigantic gateau, as well as the myriad of deserts using the Imgarr fresh strawberries. Finally, another big thank you to the Imgarr farmers, who donated the tonnes of Strawberries sold throughout the day. They were constantly ferrying truckloads of the fruit from their fields to the parish square, as well as selling to the public, with an ever present genuine smile on their faces! All proceeds from Festa Frawli will go in aid of the Imgarr church restoration effort.

Photo gallery with over 200 photos by Mario Vassallo now online. Thanks to Mario for a first class job, as usual!

Times of Malta - Monday 12th April, The Malta Indipendent - Monday 12th April

The fragrant smell of fresh Strawberries, their sweet, juicy taste, the lush colours of the Imgarr valley in spring and the joyous sounds of live Maltese folk music will envelope your senses! The picturesque Imgarr parish square will come alive for the fourth edition of 'Festa Frawli' 2010 ! Last year over eight tons of fresh strawberries were sold, while a further ton was used in the making of the myriad of products in the stalls. Join us in this celebration of Imgarr agriculture and Maltese folklore and tradition.

Programme

	Smoothies, Milk Shakes, Desserts, Gourmet Dishes, and Children's' Snacks prepared on the spot with fresh strawberries by qualified chefs
	Home Made Strawberry Jams, Preserves, Wine and other products for sale.
	Typical Maltese Dishes and Snacks; including 'Timpana', 'Ftira', 'Bigilla', Sfinage, Snails as well as roasts, pasta, salads, all freshly made.
	Live Folk themed entertainment; ethnic music, dances & a variety of local acts.
	Handmade artistic souvenirs specially designed for the Festival on sale
	Horse riding, games with animators, children's' show and large playground.
	The presentation and sale of Malta's largest ever Strawberry Gateau!
	Free Park and Ride: with regular Shuttle Service to and from Imgarr square.

Several stalls will be selling freshly picked strawberries, ferried to the square hourly by the farmers themselves. Qualified chefs will be preparing gourmet dishes such as strawberry risotto, ravioili and soup. Also, strawberries with novel dressings such as balsamic vinegar or olive oil, or with more usual toppings such as ice cream, chocolate and fresh cream can be savored at the chef's stalls. Drinks will include a wide variety of different smoothies, milk shakes as well as strawberry wine.

The on-site kitchen will be serving mouth watering desserts including cakes, gateaux, ice creams (in edible chocolate cups!) as well as waffles, pancakes, tarts, fruit salads and of course chocolate dipped strawberries. And for the little ones, how about strawberries decorated with chocolates and sweets in the shape of cute mice and other fun animals? It won't be exclusively about strawberries either! A second kitchen will be offering regular snacks and typical Maltese dishes such 'bigilla', 'ftajjar', 'sfinage', snails as well 'timpana', various roasts, salads and pasta.

Established Maltese ethnic music groups, folk dance troupes from both Malta and Gozo and popular singers will be entertaining the public throughout the day on the purpose built stage. There will be many special moments and surprises, unveiled throughout the event, including the presentation of a gigantic, record breaking Strawberry Gateau! This will subsequently be cut up and sold in 'regular' sized pieces.

Children can enjoy the large playground right beside the parish square, take horse and pony rides, watch the talent show by local children as well as take part in the exciting games by the many entertainers.

The Mgarr craftsmen have designed and made beautiful strawberry themed souvenirs, in a cozy country style, but with a few original touches. These collectibles, all handmade by a dedicated team of volunteers, will be on sale at the crafter's' stalls.

With Festa Frawli now firmly established as the premium agri-tourism event in the Maltese calendar, the enthusiastic organisers haven't rested on their laurels for this edition! The event has been expanded further, and beside the parish square, will be spread throughout the whole of Imgarr church area. Building on the numerous features which made the previous year's festival an unquestionable success, many improvements, surprises and additions await this years' visitors! Festa Frawli is a unique, fun filled day for the whole family, definitely not to be missed!

Transport

ADT Bus No.47 (which passes through Valletta, Floriana, Pieta, Msida, B'Kara, Mosta) stops right at the Mgarr Parish Square, right at heart of the event. To encourage the use of Public Transport, a raffle will be held with the used bus tickets, so remember to keep yours!

If using your own transport, this map might come in useful (use the arrows on your left). Remember, free Park and Ride will be available from Ta’ Qali – Millenium Stand parking area and Park Nazzjonali entrance, Ghajn Tuffieha behind Hal Ferh, all along the Ghajn Tuffieha Road as well as from St. Anne’s Church, Zebbiegh.with ample parking area and regular shuttle service to and from the parish square.

View Larger Map

1 Main Stage ~ Live Entertainment 2 Strawberry themed exhibitions & Giant Gateau Presentation 3 Strawberry Ice Creams, Sorbets, Smoothies and Milkshakes 4 Strawberry Gataux & tea cakes 5 Strawberry Waffles, Pancakes, Cakes, Tarts, Muffins and Ravioli 6 Information / Main Reception 7 Hand Made Souvenirs, Crafts Exhibition & Bus Tickets lottery 8 Waste Serv and Sunripe stalls 9 Freshly picked Strawberries, Strawberry Wine & Preserves 10 Traditional Maltese Food & Bar; 'Timpana', 'Ftajjar', Snails, Sfinage, Roasts, Pasta & Salads 11 Children's games & Horse rides 12 Children's playground & games + Emergency Clinic (Local Council) T Toilets

Festa Frawli '09 Photo Gallery with over 150 pictures

Festa Frawli (Strawberry Festival) Promotional Video - Imgarr Malta

Festa Frawli is organised exclusively by the 'Lejla Mgarrija' committee with support from the Mgarr local council, MRAE and the 'Naturalment Malti' campaign. It is a non profit event, put up volunteers with the sole intent of promoting the Maltese culture and Maltese products. All stalls and activities are put up and vetted by the organisers themselves, ensuring they meet a high quality standard. A multitude of established companies and organisations also contribute significantly, many of whom have been behind the event since it's inception, donating material, manpower and lending the necessary equipment. Farmers also donate freely their produce, including the strawberries, as well as their valuable time, helping throughout the day.