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Festival of lights in Malta (and an unexpected party)

Writer: Helena Bergström

We experienced a light festival in Malta, specifically in the city of Vittoriosa! Every year in October, "Birgufest", a festival of lights is organised in Malta. All electricity is switched off in Vittoriosa and the only thing that lights up are the candles.

Table of contents

Crowds in Vittoriosa

People open their doors and offer themselves and it's a lovely buzz. We walked around the city all Saturday night - and were unexpectedly invited to a party. Join the light festival in Malta and Vittoriosa!

Vittoriosa/Birgu

The town of Birgu (nowadays actually called Vittoriosa) is located just outside the capital of Malta. Valletta and consists of traditional old stone houses with charming balconies.

Birgufest - light festival in Malta

In October, when it's time for Birgufest, all the lights are turned off and the city is decorated with candles. There are lots of people on the streets, music is played, and museums and attractions are open. It's time to experience the Festival of Lights in Malta!

READ MORE: Two good hotels in Malta - in two different price ranges
READ MORE: Languages in Malta - Arabic, British or Italian?

Invited to a party

What is most fascinating is that the inhabitants of the city really participate and offer themselves. Everyone hangs candles outside their houses and many open their doors and windows. Inside, they put out candles - and perhaps offer some music.

We visited the festival with a guide and he soon took us to a private party. One of the best experiences in Malta has been how welcoming everyone is - it's easy to quickly feel like a guest and not just a tourist.

Before we knew it, we were visiting a Norwegian couple who live in Malta from time to time because he is doing a PhD on megalithic temples (which Hagar Qim), where we were treated to everything from Maltese pastizzi to Norwegian gravlax with courtmaster sauce. And of course we got to meet and talk to a lot of nice Maltese people. Could it get any better?

Ljusfest Malta — Light outside a house in Birgu/Vittoriosa

Malta Birgufest — Open doors to a family in Birgu/Vittoriosa (not where we were at the party).

READ MORE: What to do in Malta - 25 experiences and attractions

Helena

11 October 2016 6:00

Malta

festival

Helena

Administrator

30 Comments

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Dianasdrömmar says:

Cosy and party too, not bad 🙂 hugs!

11 October 2016 - 6:50

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Lennart says:

Really nice!

11 October 2016 - 7:02

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anita wåg agrimanaki says:

But how cosy! Now I actually get really hungry for a trip to Malta!

11 October 2016 - 7:18

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Diana's dreams, right? 🙂

Anita, Malta has pleasantly surprised us! We knew it would be nice, but there is also a lot to see and experience!

11 October 2016 - 7:26

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Christine - 29° says:

So cosy. 🙂

11 October 2016 - 7:27

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Steve says:

How lovely to see candlelight in these neighbourhoods. Not to mention the hospitality. I think many of your readers are now discovering Malta.

11 October 2016 - 7:44

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Husbilen Helge says:

What a bright idea to light up the city with candles! Must have been incredibly beautiful in the old alleys and also be invited to a nice party! Keep enjoying Malta.

11 October 2016 - 8:10

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Christian says:

Often the best memory even from my travels, getting an unexpected invitation and meeting people who live in the place! Great!

11 October 2016 - 8:23

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Shetlandsfrun says:

Oh that sounds fantastic!

11 October 2016 - 9:03

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Åsa says:

Cosy!

11 October 2016 - 9:08

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znogge says:

How lovely to be invited to a party! Malta seems to be an exciting destination!

11 October 2016 - 9:52

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Steve, we have really opened our eyes to Malta! 🙂

The motorhome Helge, right? A very nice idea and a very cosy atmosphere! Unfortunately we have to leave Malta soon, but we have lots to write about!

Christian, we can only agree! Many of our best memories from travelling are about meeting people who live there!

Znogge, Malta is a really nice destination. Can highly recommend!

11 October 2016 - 10:15

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Ditte says:

What an experience! Very nice to be part of this!
And so good that you timed your visit to Maöta at this particular time and party!
Great pictures from a beautiful city.
Wishing you continued good days!

11 October 2016 - 10:51

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Geddfish says:

How wonderful you have it! 😀 If you are still there 😀
Got a hankering for Malta, now. Well, you should have a dream list.
Take care, wherever you are! Hugs!

11 October 2016 - 12:00

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Berit "Desires" says:

Oh how wonderful you have it! Must go back to Malta, was there 10 years ago in November, when there was a record amount of rain there, about 400 mm in 2 days.... floods and misery everywhere. So I will probably choose to travel there in the spring or early summer next time - because I liked the island despite the weather just when we were there!!!

11 October 2016 - 12:44

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Rolle o Carina says:

You seem to be having a wonderful time in Malta!

Keep enjoying......

11 October 2016 - 12:56

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Ama de casa says:

But what a nice party! Sooo cosy! 🙂

(Though perhaps a little flammable, the coward in me thinks? 😉 )

11 October 2016 - 13:08

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Anette says:

What a lovely village party. ?

11 October 2016 - 14:18

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Ditte, yes it was perfect for the festival. But apparently they have many festivals, at least in the summer.

Geddfish, last day today! It has been super lovely! Will continue to blog about Malta for a while after returning home as well ðŸ™'

Berit, too bad you had such weather! It hasn't rained for ages now, but especially the farmers need rain! I think you should definitely go back another season!

Rolle o Carina, sooo nice in Malta 🙂 Soon it's everyday life for us again, but we have a lot left to tell about!

Ama de casa, there are only stone houses and nothing is built in wood, so there is probably not much that can catch fire...

Anette, indeed! 🙂

11 October 2016 - 15:06

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Susjos says:

Oh... I recognise the colours and balconies of Malta, where my youngest son lives! Surely it is a cool island !!! And so much you can see and do!!!

11 October 2016 - 15:44

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Husisblogg says:

It is really cosy to be invited to the local population. I have been told by my owners when they were invited to the local population in Thailand and they had to sit on the floor and eat the food.

11 October 2016 - 19:34

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Matts Torebring says:

The lights and the party, what a surprise. I would have enjoyed it like a fish in water.

11 October 2016 - 19:49

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Steel city anna says:

How cosy! How come they celebrate like this and what do they celebrate?

11 October 2016 - 20:00

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BP says:

What a great idea for a festival! It must have been incredibly atmospheric in that little village.

The invitation to the private party and the Maltese friendliness reminds me of the reception we received from the Israelis in Tel Aviv. The hospitality and helpfulness there is very similar to your experience in Malta.

11 October 2016 - 21:00

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Susjos, we really fell in love with Malta during this trip! We've just arrived home, but we still have lots to tell you!

Husisblogg, oh that's so nice! It often becomes the best memories afterwards! 🙂

Matts, it was a surprise, and very nice!

Steel City Anna, we wondered about that too, but it doesn't seem to be a long tradition (no saints celebrated or anything), but something they've come up with in recent years to get some light and celebration during October 🙂 .

BP, I understand that you were well received in Israel. This is often one of the best experiences during a trip!

11 October 2016 - 21:30

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Marina says:

So cosy! The best way to experience a place is to get to know the people who live there and see it from their point of view. Absolutely fantastic to experience a destination in the way you do!

12 October 2016 - 4:11

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Lena says:

Outstanding, of course there should be candlelight so amazingly different buildings and places appear then! (cf. light parties in our cities ha-ha). Participation in a private party in this context is, as mentioned, also outstanding! IT is an experience that you always have with you wherever and whenever it takes place, self-experienced in completely different places ....

12 October 2016 - 10:22

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Marina, can only agree with you 🙂

Lena, it's nice to have candles! And what we remember especially from many places in the world is precisely when you have been invited home!

12 October 2016 - 16:39

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Lena - gott för själen says:

But how beautiful and what a wonderful atmosphere it seems to be. Such a big difference to get to know a country when you get to know the inhabitants.

Hug Lena

12 October 2016 - 19:54

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Marias Memoarer says:

But what a cosy and hospitable party to say the least!!! 🙂

13 October 2016 - 12:30

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Festival of lights in Malta (and an unexpected party)

Writer: Helena Bergström

Crowds in Vittoriosa

Vittoriosa/Birgu

Birgufest - light festival in Malta

Invited to a party

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30 Comments

Dianasdrömmar says:

Lennart says:

anita wåg agrimanaki says:

admin says:

Christine - 29° says:

Steve says:

Husbilen Helge says:

Christian says:

Shetlandsfrun says:

Åsa says:

znogge says:

admin says:

Ditte says:

Geddfish says:

Berit "Desires" says:

Rolle o Carina says:

Ama de casa says:

Anette says:

admin says:

Susjos says:

Husisblogg says:

Matts Torebring says:

Steel city anna says:

BP says:

admin says:

Marina says:

Lena says:

admin says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Marias Memoarer says:

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