What is Mnarja?
Mnajra, also known as Lejl ta’ San Pietru u San Pawl (the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul), is a traditional Maltese feast celebrated every year on the 29th June. The Feast’s origins date back to the 16th century, during the rule of the Knights of St. John, although its roots can be traced to even older Roman and Christian traditions.
Originally, Mnarja was celebrated at St Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina, but over time, the festivities expanded into the countryside, particularly at Buskett Gardens. The name Mnajra comes from the Latin word luminaria, meaning illumination, referring to the flames and lights that once decorated the cathedral roofs and the bastion walls of Mdina, symbolising the saints as guiding lights of the Church.
The event brings together local farmers and communities to honour the fast. If you’re visiting Malta at the end of June, Mnajra is a wonderful opportunity to experience one of the island’s oldest and most cherished traditions. The celebrations will reach their peak at Buskett on 28th and 29th June, where visitors can enjoy a diverse programme celebrating Malta’s agricultural and rural heritage. Throughout the feast, guests can experience traditional Maltese games and dancing, local food and products, including the popular Maltese rabbit stew, and horse and donkey races held along an old straight-line street down the hill from Mdina.
Today, Mnajra remains a unique celebration that blends rural customers, national identity, and religious devotion, showcasing the rich heritage, unity, and resilience of the Maltese people.
For the full programme and event details, please visit the official Mnajra event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1543258407513690/?active_tab=discussion
