The Citrus Festival in Lija will take place on Sunday, January 21, in Transfiguration Square and in part of Transfiguration Avenue in Lija. This festival is being organized by the Local Council of Lija through funds financed by the Local Government Division from the scheme for Annual Cultural Activities 2023/2024.
This was announced by the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli in the presence of the Mayor of Lija and the councillors. The Parliamentary Secretary said that in 2023 around €800,000 were allocated for this scheme and in total 49 local councils around Malta and Gozo were eligible and benefited.
“The financial schemes for local councils assist the councils in the implementation of various projects, initiatives and activities that address the needs of the respective communities and localities, as well as combining the functions expected of them,” explained the Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli.
The profit that the local council will generate from the sale of oranges will be given as a donation for the restoration of the Parish Church of Lija. Other fruits will also be distributed free of charge to the children who visit this activity.
The Mayor of Lija Anthony Dalli said that, “This festival is not only a citrus exhibition but it is a means of education on how to look after the plants and trees we have in our gardens.”
On that day, the Eastern Cultural Region will also be organizing an activity called “Creative Beats and Rhythms” between 10:30 and noon as part of the cultural program for this year.
The Director for Strategy and Policy Implementation within the Local Government Division Marisa Pisani said that socio-cultural activities such as the Citrus Festival offer an opportunity for residents to participate as one community.
The Gino and Josephine Mangion House which has been turned into a traditional museum of antiquities in the heart of Ħal Lija will also be open to the public throughout the day. This house is located in Triq Sir Ugo Mifsud, corner with Triq Giovanni Barbara.
The Citrus Festival in Lija will be held between 9 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. At 10:15 in the morning there will be a blessing of the animals organized by the External Festivities Association.
For more information on the festival visit the Facebook page of the Lija Local Council.
