Good Friday, or 'Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira' as it is known in Maltese, is a significant annual holiday in the predominantly Roman Catholic country of Malta. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The events of this day are integral to the Christian faith and are observed with deep reverence and understanding. As a public holiday, schools, offices, and most shops in Malta will close on Good Friday, giving families time to mark the occasion together.
The Maltese observe Good Friday with sober intensity. There are re-enactments of the Passion of Christ, where locals dress up in biblical costumes and play various biblical characters in a procession through city or town streets. Statues depicting scenes from the Passion, crafted with great detail and care, are carried on the shoulders of the participants. The processions are so elaborate that planning and preparation typically begin as early as the day after Christmas.
Food on Good Friday in Malta has traditionally been muted and simple, reflecting the somber nature of the day. It's customary for Maltese to abstain from eating meat on Good Friday, opting instead for a diet of vegetables, fruit, and fish. Traditional dishes include the 'kwareżimal' – an unleavened sweet almond pastry that reflects the penitential tone of Lent, and 'sfineg', a type of Maltese spinach and tuna pie. The fasting of the day comes to an end with a family meal on Easter Sunday, which is a grand, festive event involving delicacies like figolli, a traditional Easter biscuit.