Birgufest, one of Malta's most beloved festivals, has been cancelled this year due to safety concerns stemming from ongoing works in the town’s main square.

The festival, known for its stunning display of tens of thousands of candles illuminating the city's narrow streets, typically draws over 60,000 visitors annually.

However, Vittoriosa’s main square, which serves as a hub for concerts and food trucks during the event, is currently undergoing a two-year renovation project that started last year.

The cancellation of the event, originally scheduled for 11th and 12th October was announced via Birgufest's social media.

The Birgu local council wrote that the decision was made during a council meeting, after professional advice was received regarding health and safety concerns in relation to the ongoing construction and development happening in the main square of Birgu.“The health and safety of both the residents and the public attending was the main priority in this decision. At the same time, the local council is avoiding creating more inconvenience that affect the works”, it concluded, and announced the dates for Birgufest 2025, which will be on 10th and 11th October.

Local businesses react

WhosWho.mt reached out to business owners in Birgu to gather their reactions to the cancellation.

Rudolph Cricchiola, owner of Il-Ġirbi bar and restaurant in the heart of Vittoriosa, acknowledged that the ongoing construction work is negatively impacting his business, but he understands the necessity of the project. "Once it's finished, the square will attract even more people to Birgu, so it will be better in the long run," Mr Cricchiola said.

In response to a comment suggesting that Birgufest could still be held on the town's periphery, Mr Cricchiola explained that the event wouldn’t be the same. "The main events typically take place in the square," he noted.

He also showed us how the construction barriers were positioned right outside his restaurant -  "as you can see, the barriers are just left of the front door. Once they're done with this part of the road, they'll move further up. I'll likely have to close the restaurant for a few days," he added.

Speaking to the owner of Café Du Brazil, he supported the council's decision to cancel Birgufest, explaining that any incidents occurring during the event would ultimately place responsibility on them. He expressed hope that the project, which is expected to be completed by December, would progress more quickly with the cancellation. The owner pointed out the impact on his staff. "As you can see, it's empty, and I'm the only one working today. Normally, we have six staff. I feel bad for them because they all have families relying on this income," he said.

Another business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced concern over the cancellation: "It's devastating. We rely on the boost from Birgufest to help us through the slower periods. Without it, we're facing a significant revenue gap this season."

A different business owner shared a mixed reaction, stating, "I'm torn. I understand the need for caution, but it feels like a missed opportunity to support local businesses when we need it most. There could have been a middle ground, with the event continuing under extra safety measures."

The Birgu Candlelight Company, while disappointed by the cancellation, agreed with the council's decision due to health and safety concerns. "God forbid an emergency happened on the day; an ambulance or fire engine wouldn't be able to get through the construction and pedestrians," the company commented. However, the owner ended on a positive note, expressing optimism and said that they are looking forward to next year's event.