Ħal Safi, Malta

35.8331514.48517Koordinaten: 35 ° 50 ' N, 14 ° 29'

Safi (or Hal Safi ) is a village with 2030 inhabitants ( 31 December 2010) in the southeast of the island of Malta, near Birżebbuġa.

History

There are few sources about the origins of Safi. However, it is believed, based on findings that thousands of years ago, Neolithic people built their homes in what is now the village of Safi. The Phoenicians and the Romans lived here many years later.

The founding of the village, as we know it today, is about 700 years back. Safi was surrounded by four other major villages. The farmers met here to talk on their way home. Later, a statue was erected, and this was the beginning of a new village, as many people settled in the neighborhood.

1419 were known as the village already Hal Safi. According to the records of the army in 1419 between 80 and 90 people were registered as residents. The main occupation of the inhabitants was agriculture, particularly the breeding of sheep and goats and field crops.

The origin of the village name does not know you. Some historians think that he comes from the clean ( paints: safi ) air in the village. Others think the name comes from the fact that an epidemic across the country in Safi none was infected. Both the coat of arms ( a light blue stripes on silver background ) and the motto ( Sine Macula, dt: without blemish ) indicate the names meaning.

Survey on independent municipality

For many years, Hal Safi was a part of Bir Miftuħ. However, the residents wanted to be independent, because the other village was too far away. Instead, they wanted to join the community Zurrieq, which was at least a little closer. As 1575 Monsignor Dusina was visiting, brought the inhabitants against their wish. But you were not heeded.

Finally, Bishop Gargallo decided in 1592 that places Hal Safi, Imqabba and Hal Kirkop Bir Miftuħ separate. From the three villages, he formed a church. Father Carl Taliana from Luqa became the first pastor. The inhabitants of Safi were with the new situation, however, still not satisfied, because they had to take long walks in buying if they wanted to Hal Kirkop in celebration of the sacraments, such as Holy Communion or a funeral, visit the parish church of Saint James.

When the inhabitants of Safi brought in experience that a new church should be built in Hal Kirkop, they refused to donate any money.

1598, a delegation of 12 residents Safis Bishop Gargallo. On behalf of all residents, they handed him a petition, which demanded that the now counted 210 souls village should be a separate parish. This time, agreed to the bishop. Thus, a contract was signed in April 1598 before the Notary Debono.

According to the agreement, the people of Safi had the local priest every year on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul pay a sum of money. The first pastor Dun Gwann Mizzi was appointed. After just three months, he was, however, promoted to pastor of Imqabba. So Marjanu Xiriħa took over his duties in Safi.

In these years there have been five chapels in Safi. The largest - the hl. Consecrated Paul - was the parish church. As a reminder to the survey on their own church bell was purchased. Portraits of St.. Peter and St.. Paul were engraved with the inscription " Sancte Paule Ora Pro Nobis ". The other four chapels were dedicated to saints follow: Agatha Assumption of Mary and the Virgin birth twice. Only the chapel of the Assumption remains today; it was rebuilt in 1761.

The Village Festival

1575 has already been a little hard for St. Paul celebrated in the Church. 1725 made ​​the thing a lot of progress, as well as turned out bigger the celebration before the church. 1840 was carried through the streets for the first time a statue. This year, the celebrations were well organized. They included fireworks, masks, musical bands and liturgical ceremonies. From this year the bands were an integral part of the festival and 1874 there was even a separate stage for the band. As the festivities every year still accepted greater proportions, 1929 Band Club was founded.

The two largest village festivals were celebrated in 1960 and 1984. 1960 was remembered the landing of St.. Paul on the island in 1984 to the foundation of St. Paul's Church. Pilgrimages, speeches, choir performances, performances by musical bands and fireworks were organized to commemorate the anniversary.

By 1959, they celebrated on January 25. From 1960, he was transferred the feast because of the usually bad weather in January to the last Sunday in August.

In 1971, a new anthem was played. Your text was written by P. callus and the melody came from Monsignor A. Muscat Azzopardi. In 1981, another anthem, of J. Zerafa (text) and Monsignor E. Bugeja ( music).

As Fr Michael Agius took over the priesthood, the festival activities were further increased. On the initiative of St. Paul's Band Club, a new march for Friday night has been added to the program. On Sunday morning, another march was inserted. And the artificer yet organized a march on Sunday evening. Similarly, the decorations of various streets and the main square for this religious festival with lights and flags were reinforced.

The day after the festival Paul considered to be a holiday for all residents. Most of those who attend the " Xalata ", go to the Armier Bay swim.

Public life

In the past, most of the inhabitants of Safi were employed in agriculture. Others were soldiers. But there were also sailors, masons, stone masons, painters, and quite a part of the inhabitants were road workers.

Soon after the Second World War left many farmers and their fields were state employees. Today, the professions are more diverse; there are administrators, office workers, shipyard and factory workers. In addition, there are many self-employed and employers. In recent times, the number of university graduates, doctors, lawyers, teachers, accountants or managers were increased. Agriculture is now mostly operated as a sideline, and for many it is more of a hobby than a livelihood.

End of the Second World War, the street lights and drinking water wells were no longer needed, because instead of public services such as electricity, sewage treatment, post and telephone, tap water, etc. were improved. In 1962, began construction of a new modern school, which replaced the old in the St. Paul 's Street.

In the 1980s, a new pitch at the new school, which was founded in 2000 fitted with plastic coating was formed. 1986, a new clinic in the St. George's Steet was inaugurated. The numbers of the houses and the inhabitants constantly Furthermore rise. The shopping improved in recent years. The most common family name in Safi are Busuttil and Zammit.

The old streets of the village were all named after saints, the newer but get different names.

How many villages have also the inhabitants of Safi no one in the government of the Republic of Malta. You Safi has its own council, which is now much more projects for the population realized as was the case before 1994.