The weekend climax started today with the demonstration march 'Tal-Balzunetta' from Mgarr Road ending in the main square.  The St Joseph Band and Xewkija's 'Prekursur' accompanied the statue of Our Lady of Home as the revellers celebrated in style.  Meanwhile Nadur's 'Mnarja' Band entertained the crowd in the main square with a musical program.

This year, the statue placed was placed on a new pedestal which has been commissioned by the Ghaqda Armar. The pedestal features a replica of the interior and exterior walls of the Holy House in Loreto on all four sides. The old pedestal has been transferred to Independence Square to host the old statue of Our Lady of Home. 

Once again, the statue was placed on the pedestal in a spectacular way. As the St. Joseph Band was playing in the main square, at around midnight, the statue was hanged to a wire-cable crossing the whole square and then started to move slowly towards the pedestal while remaining elevated a few meters above the crowd. At the same time, fire-planes crossed the main square among the chanting of 'Ave Maria' and 'Viva x-Xemx'.

Ghajnsielem.com is once again bringing you a bonanza of over 800 photos taken by Joseph Sultana for you to enjoy! See also more photos taken by Norbert Cauchi