Żejt iż-Żejtun, the event celebrating the olive picking season and olive pressing for oil will be held in Żejtun during the evening of Saturday, 23rd and on Sunday, 24th September, 2017.
The event kicks off on Saturday at around 7:30pm with the BANDU (Banns or Proclamation) that will announce the event. A defilè of village folk and farmers on carts carrying the olive harvest for pressing will then parade along the streets of Żejtun.
Zejtun is just 1km away from Lemon Tree B&B
Drummers and flag bearers in medieval costumes, together with folk singers and dancers, will provide the traditional musical input in celebration of a bountiful harvest.
An exhibition of agricultural tools, agricultural products and folk art will deck the village in traditional attire that will come alive in a celebration of colour, music, movement and food. Pride of place will, of course, be given to the olive tree. Maltese ftajjar and bread dressed in freshly pressed olive oil will be distributed for free tasting.
The crypt of the Parish Church of St. Catherine will be open for public viewing.
Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was given to it by Grandmaster Ferdinand von Hompesch in 1797, Beland (Bylandt) being his mother’s surname. Żejtun takes its name from the Sicilian Arabic for “olive”- zaytun. The production and cultivation of olives was an important local industry by the 7th century.
