Maltese Festa Series V

Religious feasts in Malta date back to the 18th century when the Maltese Islands were under the rule of the Order of St. John. Every year towns and villages celebrate feasts in honour of their patron saint. On such an occasion the church and the streets of the village are richly decorated, while several activities take place, including band marches, processions, fireworks displays and street parties.
This issue of stamps is the fifth in the series.

Birgu - Statue of St. Dominic
The statue of St. Dominic was crafted in papier-mâché by Chev. Michael Camilleri Cauchi in 1986.

Gharb - Statue of The Visitation of Our Lady
The titular statue of The Visitation was sculpted by Guzeppi Vella in 1853 and funded from public contributions following an appeal by Dun Guzepp Agius.

Gharghur - Statue of St. Bartholomew
The statue of St. Bartholomew was carved in wood and brought to Malta from Rome in 1772. It is believed to be the work of the famous sculptor Melchiorre Gafa'.

Naxxar - Statue of The Nativity of Mary
The statue of The Nativity of Mary is a baroque sculpture carved in wood. It was commissioned by the Fraternity of the Holy Rosary and was brought from Rome in 1726.

Paola - Statue of Christ The King
The titular statue of Christ The King was carved in wood by Chev. Alfred Camilleri Cauchi in 1998 and was donated to the church in 2016.

Qormi - Statue of St. George
The titular statue of St. George was carved in wood by the sculptor Pietru Felici in 1738. Some interventions were made in 1895 by the sculptor Pawlu Bugeja, under the direction of Maltese artist Giuseppe Cali. The statue was restored in 2015.

Rabat - Statue of St. Paul
The titular statue of St. Paul was carved in wood by Giovanni Caruana in 1774. It was gilded and further embellished between 1905 and 1906 by Busuttil.

Siggiewi - Statue of St. Nicholas
The titular statue of St. Nicholas was carved in wood by the sculptor Pietru Felici in 1736.

Sliema - Statue of Stella Maris
The statue dedicated to Our Lady, Stella Maris (Star of the Sea) was brought from Paris in 1891. It is crafted in papier-mâché while the hands and faces are made in bone-china.

Valletta - Statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was carved in wood by Vincenzo Dimech in 1781.