The Bidnija UFO Flap That Wasn’t

When Alien Enthusiasts Invaded the Quiet Countryside

It was a typical sunny afternoon in Bidnija, with villagers going about their business, the scent of freshly-baked ħobż biż-żejt lingering in the air, and the occasional sound of a distant goat. But kollox changed when Tumas, the local shepherd who never really got the hang of smartphones, stormed into the village square, gasping for breath. “I saw it! A UFO!” he exclaimed, pointing a shaking finger towards the clear blue skies.

The Eccentric Cast Descends

Within hours, Bidnija became swarming with the island’s UFO enthusiasts. Like Ċensu, who claimed to be abducted by aliens while fishing in Marsaxlokk – his evidence being his newfound allergy to fish, and Lorita, a tourist-turned-expert in extraterrestrial affairs after watching a marathon of conspiracy documentaries in her Sliema flat. Their leader, though, was none other than Dolores, a self-proclaimed psychic from Gozo who arrived with her crystal ball and a pocket full of qubbajt (nougat) for energy.

A Plot Twist of Cosmic Proportions

The group set up camp in an old farmhouse. They lined their binoculars, UFO-spotting drones, and Malta’s largest homemade tin foil hat – all ready for first contact. But the evening’s skywatch soon turned chaotic as a bright light soared overhead. “Aha!” Dolores shouted triumphantly, “We’re not alone!”

However, the light wasn’t from a spaceship but from a wayward firework from a festa (village feast) in the nearby town of Mosta, celebrating its grand dome’s survival during WWII. “They’re celebratin’ the Mosta Bomb miracle,” murmured Tumas, who seemed to have a knack for missing the obvious.

Interview with a Firework

“Honestly, I was aiming for the stars,” said the roaming rocket in an exclusive interview. “Didn’t mean to cause an intergalactic incident.”

The Great Maltese Misunderstanding

The UFO-watchers were still unconvinced. It wasn’t until a group of kids unveiled their secret project—a drone covered in LEDs designed for their school’s STEM fair—did the enthusiasts realize they might have been stargazing at the wrong phenomena all along. The kids’ invention was inspired by the glistening waters of the Blue Grotto, wanting to replicate the spectacle in the night sky, and had been practicing over the sleepy fields of Bidnija.

The Aftermath: Embracing the Unexpected

The UFO flap might have been debunked, but Bidnija’s unexpected visitors left a lasting impression on the village – well, at least until the next weekend. Dolores started a new line of ‘cosmic pastizzi’, with fillings ‘out of this world’. Ċensu, encouraged by the “close encounter”, opened up a seafood-free snack bar, and Lorita penned a bestselling book titled “Uwejja, the UFOs that Never Were: A Maltese Misadventure”.

As for Tumas, he became a local celebrity of sorts. People from all over Malta and Gozo came to hear about the shepherd who nearly ‘beamed up’ the whole village. Chatting with tourists and posing for photos within the walled city of Mdina, he’d often end his UFO recount with a knowing wink and the words, “Maybe next time, they’ll stick around for a fenkata (rabbit stew).” Then he’d laugh, shake his head, and add, “Mela, you never know in Bidnija!”

The Tourist Perspective

“First, we thought coming to Malta was all about the history and beaches,” a German couple remarked, never missing a beat to capture a selfie with Tumas and his trusty sheep. “But we never expected to be part of a cosmic comedy!”

So, while the Times of Mela can’t promise you’ll see a UFO in Bidnija, rest assured, Malta will always have some other entertaining tale up its sleeve. And who knows, maybe one day, those bright lights won’t just be fireworks or LED drones but something truly out of this ‘dinja’ (world).

Uwejja, yes, we say! Keep looking up, Malta!