Zejt iz-Zejtun

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 28^th and on Sunday morning 29^th September. The place name Żejtun in its original Semitic connotation signifies the fruit of the olive trees and the cultivated olive tree, synonymous with the Mediterranean and popular since biblical times.

As the place name indicates olive tree cultivation and its by-products were a prime activity in the South Coast of Malta in the Punic and Roman era with Żejtun at its’ centre. Over the years, especially with the Arab occupation of Malta at the end of the first millennium cotton gradually replaced the olive tree. In recent years, olive tree cultivation, olive pressing for oil and its’ association with the healthy Mediterranean diet, have made a comeback. Żejt iż-Żejtun celebrates and commemorates all this.

The event organized by the Żejtun Local Council will kick off on Saturday at 7.30pm with the BANDU announcing the event which will be followed by a defile of village folk and farmers on carts carrying the olive harvest for pressing. Drummers and flag bearers in medieval costumes as well as folk singers and dancers will be present. Agricultural tools, typical agricultural products and folk art will be exhibited in the ambience of an old country village and fair. Pride of place will be given to the olive tree. Maltese ftajjar and bread dressed in freshly pressed olive oil will be distributed for free tasting. Olive tress and associated products will be on sale. An audio visual presentation will feature olive tree varieties and their proper cultivation.

On Saturday all important historical and civic sites will be open to the public.

A park and ride service will be available on Saturday from 7.00pm till midnight from Bulebel Industrial Estate near Inspire. Ample parking space will be provided in Żejtun itself.