Activities started early In the morning when Emeritus Bishop, Mons Nikol G. Cauchi, led a concelebrated Mass and intone the Te Deum. At 5.15pm, the St Joseph Band performed a short march from Cordina Street to the main square. Vigar Mons Giovanni. B. Gauci led the Pontifical Translation of the relic followed by singing of the solemn vespers and Mass.

At 9.00pm Nadur's Mnarja Band played a marches from Garden Street ending in the Main Square where they later performed a musical programme. At the same time, hundreds of enthusiastic youngsters started to assemble in Hamri Street waiting for the St Joseph Band and Victoria's 'Banda La Stella' to arrive for the traditional ''Marc ta' lejlet il-festa".

This year, several ground-fireworks were displayed along Hamri Street as rain of confetti and papers thrown from private roofs never stopped. At midnight, the St Joseph Band arrived in the main square where the young revellers continued to dance, chant and drink together.

To their delight and applause, over 60 fire-planes simultaneously crossed the main square from four different locations among the chanting of 'Viva x-Xemx'. A novelty for this year was a gigantic 'spider-web' filled with thousands of balloons covering the whole Piazza.

The dark summer night was literally lit up when a spectacular pyrotechnic ground-firework display accompanied by relaxing music ended this fantastic evening.

Ghajnsielem.com is again providing you with an unparalleled coverage of the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto with over 250 photos for the celebrations of 'Lejliet l-Festa'.