A handcrafted feast decoration from Mqabba has been given national recognition after winning the Premju Nazzjonali Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti 2025.
The award was presented to the Santa Marija Society and King George V Band Club of Mqabba, through its Santa Marija Feast Decorations Section, in the category dedicated to artisan products manufactured by local feast organisers.
The winning work is a three-dimensional artistic archway, known locally as a sopraporta, created for the annual Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady in Mqabba.
The piece was commissioned by the Santa Marija Youth Section and handcrafted by volunteers from the society’s Decorations Section. Its design was created by artist Manuel Grech.
Today, the sopraporta forms part of the village’s feast setting and can be admired at the entrance to Parish Street, directly opposite the Mqabba Parish Church dedicated to St Mary.
The work stands as one of the artistic centrepieces of the feast, welcoming people into one of the main areas of the village during the celebrations.
This award is also a recognition of the voluntary work that goes into Malta’s traditional feasts. Behind decorations like this are many hours of planning, design, craftsmanship and hands-on dedication from people who give their time to keep local traditions alive.
For the Mqabba Santa Marija community, the award is a proud moment and a celebration of the skills passed on through Malta’s festa culture.
It also highlights how local feasts continue to play an important role in preserving Maltese artistic heritage, from street decorations to larger handcrafted works that become part of a village’s identity.
Source/Credit: Santa Marija Society and King George V Band Club of Mqabba
