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Memorji mill-attività TAĦT IL-LOĠOĠ li saret fi Triq Sant’Anna l-Ħadd li għadda, 12 ta’ April.

Elisa Von Brockdorff

Taħt l-istqarrija wieħed jista’ jsib l-formula tar-regolamenti u l-applikazzjoni b’rabta mal-parteċipazzjoni għal dan il-Festival.

MT: Permezz ta’ konferenza tal-aħbarijiet il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Floriana ħabbar id-dettalji inizjali b’rabta mal-organizzazzjoni tal-Festival Nazzjonali tan-Nar tal-Art Mekkanizzat, hekk kif din is-sena se jkun qed isir is-Sibt, 18 ta’ April, 2026, fi Pjazza San Publju (fuq il-Fosos).

Fl-ewwel kummenti tiegħi, is-Sindku Nigel Holland elenka l-fatt li l-Festival din is-sena, li huwa s-17-il edizzjoni, se jkun qed jieħu xejra ftit differenti, b’organizzazzjoni aktar diretta mill-Kunsill Lokali Floriana għalkemm wieħed irid jirringrazzja wkoll lill-Awtorita’ Maltija tat-Turiżmu għall-għajnuna kbira u l-appoġġ loġistiku li reġgħet offriet l-istess awtorità fl-organizzazzjoni tal-Festival. Huwa fakkar il-fatt li f’kull edizzjoni, il-Kunsill Lokali fittex li jagħti opportunità lill-kmamar tan-nar jesebixxu l-aqwa xogħlijiet tagħhom tan-nar tal-art mekkanizzat matul dan il-Festival Nazzjonali tant prestiġġjuż. Is-Sindku tal-Floriana Nigel Holland qal li l-Kunsill ser ikompli jinvesti ħin, enerġija u riżorsi biex dan l-avveniment jikber fil-kwalità u fir-reputazzjoni tiegħu sena wara sena. Huwa żied jgħid li l-impenn tal-Kunsill huwa li jkompli jtejjeb l-istandards organizzattivi, kemm fuq livell tekniku kif ukoll fuq livell logistiku, biex il-parteċipanti jkollhom l-aħjar kundizzjonijiet possibbli sabiex jippreżentaw xogħolhom.

Il-Viċi Sindku James Aaron Ellul tenna fuq il-fatt li Festival bħal dan isostni l-valur storiku u kulturali tal-piroteknika f’pajjiżna, hekk kif fuq livell mekkanizzat u pirotekniku, il-Maltin huma pijunieri. Huwa aċċenna fuq l-importanza li entitajiet governattivi u kulturali jagħtu aktar sostenn lill-Kunsill, hekk kif kontinwament il-fondi allokati għall-Kunsilli qed jibqgħu l-istess, dan filwaqt li l-ispejjeż għall-organizzazzjoni ta’ attivitajiet dejjem jiżdiedu, speċjalment f’dan il-kuntest, spejjeż fuq il-materja prima li jużaw l-għaqdiet tan-Nar. Ellul għalaq billi rringrazzja lill-Għaqda Piroteknika Maltija għas-sostenn tagħhom fl-aħħar xhur, kif ukoll radd il-ħajr lill-voluntiera li jtuna din l-arti. Ellul fakkar li, minkejja li dan il-festival huwa kompetizzjoni, l-artisti Maltin tan-nar xorta waħda jingħaqdu fl-istess spirtu ta’ kreattività u se jippreżentaw xogħol mill-ogħla livell.

Fil-kummenti tagħhom, Keith Dingli u Stanley Azzopardi mill-Għaqda Piroteknika Maltija qalu li l-Festival din is-sena se jkun maqsum f’ħames kategoriji distinti li jiffokaw fuq tipi differenti ta’ raddieni mekkanizzati: il-Kategorija 1 (tal-Katina), il-Kategorija 2 (tal-Universal), il-Kategorija 3 (2D), il-Kategorija 4 (3D) u l-Kategorija 5 (tal-Funtani tal-Kulur). L-ewwel erbgħa jiffukaw fuq mekkaniżmi u disinji li jixegħlu prinċipalment bil-gassijiet u jdur permezz tal-funtani tal-porvli, filwaqt li l-ħames kategorija tagħti prominenza lill-funtani tal-kulur u l-effett viżiv tagħhom. Kull raddiena tiġi evalwata fuq kriterji ċari bħad-disinn, il-kwalità tal-prodotti pirotekniċi, il-manifattura mekkanika u l-andament tal-ħruq skont il-pjan ippreżentat lill-ġurija.

Huma qalu li l-organizzazzjoni tal-festival hija strutturata b’mod rigoruż: hemm limitu ta’ parteċipanti u sistema ta’ polza biex jiġu assenjati l-kategoriji u s-sekwenza tal-armar u l-ħruq. Il-ġurija, magħmula minn esperti barranin u Maltin, tevalwa kemm l-armar kif ukoll il-ħruq, filwaqt li l-parteċipanti jridu josservaw regoli stretti ta’ sigurtà, konformità legali u preżentazzjoni teknika. Hemm ukoll dispożizzjonijiet dwar sussidji finanzjarji, protesti u t-tħabbir tar-riżultati, biex jiġi żgurat proċess trasparenti, sigur u kompetittiv sal-aħħar.

EN: During a press conference, the Floriana Local Council announced the initial details regarding the organisation of the National Festival of Mechanised Ground Fireworks, which this year will be held on 18 April at Pjazza San Publju, on the Floriana Granaries.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Nigel Holland explained that this year’s Festival, now in its 17th edition, will take on a slightly different format, with more direct organisation by the Kunsill Lokali tal-Floriana, while also expressing gratitude to the Malta Tourism Authority for the significant assistance and logistical support it has once again provided in the organisation of the Festival. He recalled that in every edition, the Local Council has sought to offer fireworks factories the opportunity to showcase their finest works in mechanised ground fireworks during this prestigious National Festival. The Mayor of Floriana, Nigel Holland, stated that the Council will continue to invest time, energy and resources so that the event grows in quality and reputation year after year. He added that the Council’s commitment is to keep strengthening organisational standards, both on a technical and logistical level, so that participants are given the best possible conditions to present their work.

Deputy Mayor James Aaron Ellul emphasised that a Festival of this kind sustains the historical and cultural value of pyrotechnics in our country, noting that at both mechanised and pyrotechnic levels, the Maltese are pioneers. He underlined the importance of greater support from governmental and cultural entities towards the Council, pointing out that funds allocated to Local Councils have remained unchanged, while the costs of organising activities continue to increase, particularly expenses related to the raw materials used by fireworks associations. Ellul concluded by thanking the Malta Pyrotechnic Association for their support in recent months, as well as expressing gratitude to the volunteers who keep this art alive. He also recalled that, although the Festival is a competition, Maltese fireworks artists still come together in a shared spirit of creativity and will present work of the highest standard.

In their comments, Keith Dingli and Stanley Azzopardi from the Malta Pyrotechnic Association stated that this year the Festival will be divided into five distinct categories focusing on different types of mechanised wheels: Category 1 (Chain), Category 2 (Universal), Category 3 (2D), Category 4 (3D) and Category 5 (Colour Fountains). The first four categories focus on mechanisms and designs that are primarily ignited through gas effects and rotate by means of gunpowder fountains, while the fifth category places emphasis on colour fountains and their visual impact. Each wheel will be evaluated according to clear criteria such as design, the quality of pyrotechnic products, mechanical craftsmanship and the execution of the burn according to the plan presented to the jury.

They explained that the organisation of the Festival is structured in a rigorous manner: there is a limit on participants and a ballot system to assign categories as well as the sequence of installation and ignition. The jury, composed of both foreign and Maltese experts, evaluates both the installation phase and the burn itself, while participants must observe strict rules related to safety, legal compliance and technical presentation. There are also provisions regarding financial subsidies, protests and the announcement of results to ensure a transparent, safe and competitive process throughout.

Is-sitwazzjoni reali fil-Floriana hija waħda drastika, hekk kif kull ma jmur il-popolazzjoni Maltija fil-lokal dejjem qed titnaqqar, u l-komunità residenzjali dejjem qed tonqos.

Illum il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Floriana fakkar Jum il-Housing, u f’konferenza tal-aħbarjiet indirizzata mis-Sindku Nigel Holland u l-Viċi Sindku James Aaron Ellul ingħatat ħarsa lejn is-sitwazzjoni kurrenti demografika fil-lokalità tal-Floriana.

Fil-kummenti tiegħu, is-Sindku Nigel Holland ta ħarsa tas-sitwazzjoni preżenti fil-lokal, fejn sostna li ġimgħa wara ġimgħa, binja residenzjali qed tiġi kkonvertita għal aspetti kummerċjali. Huwa tenna li l-Kunsill Lokali dejjem joġġezzjona għal żvilupp bħal dan, bl-awtoritajiet li suppost jaqdu dmirhom, dejjem isibu lok biex imorru kontra l-oġġezzjoni tal-Kunsill u jabbandunaw ħajjet ir-residenti.

Huwa qal ukoll li kien hemm rieda pożittiva mir-Reġjun Port u anki mill-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Kunsill Lokali.

Fl-istess konferenza s-Sindku Nigel Holland fakkar f’dak li ġara fis-sena 2000, fis-16 ta’ Jannar, hekk kif kienet sfrundat indana f’kerreja fi Triq il-Kapuċċini u ħadet il-ħajja ta’ Riccardo Cesare. Huwa kompla billi qal li filwaqt li tajjeb li nfakkru din il-memorja, nirrealizzaw l-isfidi kurrenti li l-Floriana qed issib, speċjalment anki fil-kuntest tal-popolazzjoni li kull ma jmur qed titnaqqar.

“Il-Kunsill Lokali Furjaniż se jibqa’ jinsisti, u anki ġab miegħu Kunsilli Lokali oħrajn li qed jikkumbattu l-istess sfida, issa jeħtieġ din l-isfida tan-nuqqas ta’ nies nikkumbattuha flimkien” – Nigel Holland

Nigel Holland qal li llum il-Floriana qed issib sfidi fejn anki l-iżvilupp li qed isir mhux qiegħed jirrispeta la l-pożizzjoni tal-Kunsill Lokali u wisq anqas il-Pjan Lokali tal-Awtorita’ tal-Ippjanar għall-Floriana, li fuq kollox suppost li tħares li l-ebda binja residenzjali ma’ ssir waħda kummerċjali. Huwa sostna li fis-sitwazzjoni li ninsabu, fis-snin li ġejjin, il-Floriana se jkollha biss bini ta’ uffiċini u lukandi, iżda ftit li xejn residenti.

Is-Sindku Nigel Holland żied li huwa inutli li niċċelebraw b’tant pompa u kliem sabiħ, kif ġustament qed isir, il-Kunsill Reġjonali Port bħala l-Reġjun Kulturali tas-Sena 2026, meta nafu li, bir-rata li għaddejjin, il-komunitajiet ta’ madwar il-Port il-Kbir fi żmien 20 sena ser ikunu prattikament sparixxew u kull ma ser ikun qed jeżisti huma kumplessi u abitazzjonijiet turistiċi. Filwaqt li wieħed japprezza r-riġenerazzjoni fiżika tal-lokalitajiet ta’ madwar il-Port il-Kbir li sar f’dawn l-aħħar snin, il-prijorita’ assoluta għandha tkun ir-riġenerazzjoni tal-komunitajiet ta’ madwar l-istess Port, dan biex it-tradizzjoniet rikki li jinsabu f’dawn il-lokalitajiet li, ħafna minnhom sawwru l-istorja ta’ Malta u tal-ġens Malti nnifsu, jibqgħu ħajjin.

Huwa tenna li l-popolazzjoni tal-Floriana llum naqset b’żewġ terzi meta mqabbla mal-perjodu ta’ wara t-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija. Is-Sindku Nigel Holland saħaq li l-iżvilupp fil-Floriana għandu jsir bi ħsieb li jsawwar il-lokalità b’enfasi ta’tisħieħ tar-residenti fil-Floriana

Il-Viċi Sindku, James Aaron Ellul fakkar li din mhux reazzjoni tal-mument. Is-sena li għaddiet, kien ippreżenta dokument, li fih anki għadd ta’ proposti, li wassal biex titqajjem kuxjenza u jkun hemm għarfien dwar il-kriżi demografika tal-lokal. Id-dokument li kellu l-għan li fost l-oħrajn iqajjem kuxjenza u jżid l-għarfien kien ġab vot ta’ qbil, unanimu, fil-Kunsill.

Huwa qal li dan id-dokument illum qed jiġi kkonfermat, iżda akkost dan kollu, ma rajniex bidla fil-politika nazzjonali għall-kriżi li qed tiffaċċja l-Floriana u mhux biss, hekk kif il-kriżi tinsab anki f’lokalitajiet oħra tal-Port il-Kbir, inkluż il-Belt Valletta u l-Kottonera, bil-Floriana tkun pijuniera f’politika li tħares l-identità tagħha, tar-reġjun u tal-lokalitajiet rispettivi.

“Qed naffaċċjaw kriżi demografika li hija riżultat ta’ għażliet ħżiena li saru matul l-aħħar snin – il-kriżi tista’ ma tibqax jekk isiru għażliet aħjar u tibda l-implimentazzjoni ta’ dak li qed nipproponu” – James Aaron Ellul

Huwa qal li għalhekk il-Kunsill Lokali se jmur pass aktar ‘il quddiem, wara sena ta’ taħdidiet, u se jkun qed jorganizza konferenza nazzjonali f’dan ir-rigward.

James Aaron Ellul elenka li dan in-nuqqas qed iwassal għal impatt permanenti fuq il-komunità, filwaqt li tenna li din mhux kwistjoni ta’ wieħed li għandu jkun kontra l-iżvilupp, imma kwistjoni favur komunità li trid tgħix, bl-iżvilupp għandu jservi lill-komunità billi jippermetti li jkun hemm ir-residenti fil-lokal. –Huwa qal li llum il-familji, il-koppji mhux jifilħu jħallsu kirjiet għoljin u jixtru proprjetajiet; u minflok qed jidħlu fil-lokalità entitajiet kummerċjali minflok koppji żgħażagħ bil-konsegwenza li l-komunità  Furjaniża qed tisfuma

Huwa fakkar li l-istess dokument għandu għadd ta’ proposti li jekk jingħataw widen, iwasslu għal tkabbir komunitarju u reżidenzjali fil-Floriana.

Ellul għalaq billi qal li wasal iż-żmien għal azzjonijiet konkreti, fejn l-awtoritajiet li għandhom is-setgħa li jaraw li l-pjan lokali jkun rispettat, u li jaqdu dmirhom. Filwaqt li tenna li l-Floriana ma jistax ikun jibqa’ jkollha aktar funerali milli magħmudijiet.

Preżenti għal din il-konferenza tal-aħbarijiet kien hemm ukoll il-Kunsilliera Justine Vella Palmier.

EN: More funerals than baptisms: Floriana facing deepening demographic crisis

Floriana is facing a deepening demographic and residential crisis, with its Maltese population continuing to shrink and its residential community steadily eroding, the Floriana Local Council warned on Thursday.

The issue was highlighted during a press conference held to mark Housing Day, addressed by Mayor Nigel Holland and Deputy Mayor James Aaron Ellul, where the council presented an overview of the locality’s current housing and demographic realities.

Mayor Holland said that residential buildings in Floriana are being converted into commercial premises on a regular basis, warning that this trend is accelerating the loss of residents from the locality. He said the Local Council consistently objects to such developments, but its objections are frequently overturned by the authorities responsible for planning decisions.

According to Holland, this approach is resulting in decisions that disregard both the position of the Local Council and the needs of residents. He added that there has been a positive willingness to engage on the issue from the Port Region and the Local Councils’ Association.

During the press conference, Holland also recalled the collapse of a structure in a rented property in Triq il-Kapuċċini on 16 January 2000, which claimed the life of Riccardo Cesare. While stressing the importance of remembering the tragedy, he said it also serves as a reminder of the broader challenges Floriana continues to face today.

“The Floriana Local Council will remain persistent. We have also brought together other Local Councils that are facing the same challenges. This issue of population decline now needs to be addressed collectively,” Holland said.

He warned that development in Floriana is increasingly taking place in contradiction to both the Planning Authority’s Local Plan and the council’s position, despite the plan’s stated aim of protecting residential buildings from being converted to commercial use. If current trends continue, Holland said, Floriana risks becoming a locality dominated by offices and hotels, with very few residents remaining.

Mayor Nigel Holland added that it is futile to celebrate with such pomp and fine words, as is rightly being done, the Port Regional Council being named Cultural Region of the Year 2026, when it is clear that, at the current rate, the communities around the Grand Harbour will, within the next 20 years, have practically disappeared, leaving behind little more than complexes and tourist accommodation. While the physical regeneration of localities around the Grand Harbour in recent years is to be welcomed, he said the absolute priority must be the regeneration of the communities living around the harbour.

Holland noted that Floriana’s population has declined by two thirds compared to the period following the Second World War, insisting that future development must prioritise the strengthening of the residential community and the long-term sustainability of the locality.

Deputy Mayor James Aaron Ellul said the council’s position was not a reaction to recent developments. He recalled that last year he presented a policy document outlining a number of proposals aimed at addressing the demographic challenges facing Floriana. The document, which aimed among other things to raise awareness and increase understanding of the situation, was unanimously approved by the Local Council.

Ellul said that the realities on the ground are now confirming the document’s conclusions. However, he added that there has been no corresponding change in national policy to address what he described as a demographic and residential crisis, one characterised by a declining population, the loss of residential buildings, and the weakening of community life.

He stressed that the same challenges are being experienced in other localities around the Grand Harbour, including Valletta and the Cottonera, and said Floriana is seeking to act as a pioneer in advocating policies that protect local identity at both a regional and community level.

“We are facing a demographic crisis that is the result of poor policy choices made over recent years. This crisis is not irreversible, the situation can improve if better decisions are taken and the proposals we are putting forward begin to be implemented,” Ellul said.

He added that after a year of discussions, the Floriana Local Council will be organising a national conference to focus on the issue.

Ellul said the continued decline in residents is having a lasting impact on the community, stressing that the issue is not opposition to development but ensuring that development serves a living community and allows residents to remain in the locality. The Deputy Mayor said that today families and couples can no longer afford high rents or to purchase property, and that commercial entities are moving into the locality instead of young couples. As a result, the Floriana community is steadily fading away.

He concluded by calling for concrete action from the authorities responsible for enforcing the Local Plan, warning that Floriana cannot continue along a path where it sees more funerals than baptisms.

Councillor Justine Vella Palmier was also present at the press conference.