BirguFest: Vittoriosa by Candlelight

For one weekend each year one of the oldest cities in Malta shuts off all of its lights and holds a festival that showcases the beauty of the medieval city in a wonderful glow of candlelight.  Thousands of candles line the streets, rest on balconies and window sills as they guide your way through the town where vendors sell crafts, Maltese food is served and in the center square musicians and performers entertain the crowds into the evening.  By the warmth of all the flickering candles it’s one of the more interesting ways I’ve explored a new city; mostly in darkness.

 

Candles are placed on ledges, along the streets, in windows and are hanging from chandeliers above you.  It’s a romantic site to wander through old European streets with soft light illuminating around you, shadows flickering along the corridors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street food is one of the best parts about travel.  You get local, inexpensive dishes with fresh ingredients while interacting with friendly faces and usually some interesting characters.  A mouthwatering messy Ftira was on the mind of my taste buds.  An hard crust, airy sandwich roll, dusty with flour on the outside and filled with tuna in olive oil, red peppers, a sweet tomato paste and a salty tapenade of Mediterranean olives.  It’s about the size of my head and it’s so delicious it is tempting not to devour the whole thing.

Live music filled the air, choirs singing, bands playing, musicians marching in the streets throughout the evening and the square is full of local performers involved in the celebration over the magical weekend.