San Gwann tal-Hgejjeg - St John's Fire

As from this year, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will re-introduce the age-old tradition of lighting a large bonfire on the bastions of Valletta to mark the feast day of St. John the Baptist patron saint of the Order of St. John which has ruled Malta for over 200 years. During their time, great public festivities were reserved for this occasion which included the firing of multiple gun salutes and the lighting up of massive bonfires in public places, vantage points and on all fortifications and ramparts.

These celebrations started on the evening of 23 June, St John's Eve, before the Feast Day of St John the Baptist. The Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:36, 56–57) states that John was born about six months before Jesus, therefore the feast of John the Baptist was fixed on 24 June six months before Christmas. It is also one of the few feast days which commemorate the supposed anniversary of the birth, rather than the saint’s death.

The Feast of St John is fixed at 24 June but in some countries, festivities are celebrated the night before on St John's Eve. These are commemorated by different Christian denominations. The lighting of bonfires on this day may have pagan origins coinciding with the June solstice also referred to as Midsummer which is the period of time centered upon the summer solstice. Midsummer is especially had great significance in ancient cultures and remains particularly important in the cultures of Scandinavia, and the Baltics.

Date: Monday 23 June 2014

Time: 20.30hrs

Place: Saluting Battery, Valletta

Programme: 20.30hrs lighting of bonfire followed by a short English commentary about the significance and history of the occasion and concluded with a full-gun salute.

Entrance: €2 per adult – free for children and Wirtartna Friends - all proceeds will go towards the Mistra Battery Restoration Foundation.