ŻEJTUN — After this year’s ferocious festa parking war — which saw three arguments, one broken mirror and a kerbside rendition of O Holy Night — Żejtun’s band club and the parish beadle have signed a binding pact to restore peace: the 14:14 Pastizz Pause.
Two minutes, one pastizz, a salute and an apology
Under the agreement, any driver caught blocking the chapel, the band club entrance or another man’s preferred parking spot must observe a two‑minute ‘respectful pause’ at exactly 14:14 the day after the festa. During the pause the offender must: eat one pastizz, make a formal salute to the statue of the Virgin outside the sacristy, and tuck a handwritten apology under the windscreen wiper of whichever Fiat 500 is nearest and most offended.
The pact was signed by Pawlu “il-Banda” Farrugia, president of the Banda San Girgor, and Karmenu “il-Bejda” Xuereb, parish beadle and self-appointed parking arbitrator. They say it’s a compromise between spiritual penance and common sense — and between the band club’s love of order and the town’s love of small Italian cars.
”Mela, jekk għandek tiffaċċja nunzill, għandu jkun b’pastizz fil-pinna — kemm sempliċi!”
Enforcement will be cheerfully strict. Band club marshals will patrol with a stopwatch and a brass whistle. If a driver refuses the ritual, they will be sentenced to buy a round of pastizzi for the committee and perform a public apology on the band club’s Facebook live, accompanied by an obligational rendering of the band’s march.
Local drivers say the pact has brought an immediate calm. “Iva, nbidel ix-xena,” said Marija, a resident who watched a man lament his inability to tuck an apology because his Fiat’s wipers were locked. “Issa hemm dignità, u pastizzi.” Tourists remained baffled.
At press time, a man reportedly tried to serve his two‑minute pause while simultaneously double‑parking, eating three pastizzi, and saluting with a handheld selfie stick. He was offered an extra pastizz and gentle guidance on humility.