Balzan

The Feast of the Annunciation in Ħal Balzan is a cherished annual celebration that brings together the local community in a colourful display of faith and tradition. Typically held in mid-July, the festivities span several days, featuring religious ceremonies, processions, and cultural events that highlight the village's devotion to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Central to the celebration is the procession of the titular statue of the Annunciation, a wooden masterpiece crafted by Maltese sculptor Salvatore Dimech in 1869. This statue, depicting the Archangel Gabriel announcing to Mary her divine role, is carried through the streets, accompanied by the village's two musical bands, the St Gabriel Band and the Maria Annunziata Philharmonic Society.