The Curious Case of the Mdina Time-Traveling Festa

An Unexpected Festa

Welcome, dearest readers, to the latest, most jiggling tale from the ‘Times of Mela,’ where the truth is stranger than fiction, and fiction is just a pastizz away! Our story unfolds in the venerable city of Mdina, amidst the meandering alleys and ancient walls that whisper olden secrets. It was a serene afternoon, the sun lounging lazily over the bastions, and the scent of ħobż biż-żejt floated in the air. Little did the residents know, they were about to attend the most baffling festa in Maltese history.

Meet the Time-Warp Trio

Enter our unmatched trio: Saverju, a retired band player with a penchant for building models of Maltese buses; Karmena, an eccentric street artist who has a knack for singing folklore tunes backward; and Salvu, a friendly fishmonger who claims his anchovies prophesize the weather.

The tale spins into gear when Saverju, tinkering with his model buses, accidentally uncovers a mysterious old clock hidden in one of the buses’ cargo compartments. It wasn’t just any clock; this one had a peculiar power that would soon turn Mdina upside down, or rather, back in time!

Tick-Tock, Boom!

In his workshop, Saverju wound the clock, and with a cacophony of gears and springs, Mdina began to shimmer as though viewed through a kaleidoscope. People poured into the streets in a frenzy, some in bewilderment, others in anticipation. Was it Għid Il-Kbir already? Nope. It was an impromptu festa: complete with full brass bands, a makeshift fireworks factory sparking up on the bastion, and carts filled to the brim with rabbit stew.

The Unplanned Procession

An interview with one frazzled resident, Alfred, ensued:

“I went out to buy a loaf of bread, uwejja, next thing I know it’s raining qubbajt and some guy in a three-pointed hat wanted to knight me. Kollox ġara hawn? It’s usually so quiet!”

Mdina’s New Found Glory

The festa unfolded with unparalleled gusto, but soon, another twist whisked our characters – and the entire city – further into the chaos. Karmena, upon hearing the band play, began to sing backward, and this odd melody acted as a counter-charm to Saverju’s clock. Mdina was caught in a peculiar time bubble, experiencing moments from its history all at once: Knights paraded next to selfie-snapping tourists, and vintage cars parked beside horse-drawn carriages.

Festivities Like Never Beforca (er… Before)

Salvu, being adored by the crowds for his prophetic anchovies, decided to throw an impromptu fish festival. A vat of simmering lampuki pie emerged from nowhere while octopus tents – no really, tentacles and all – offered tech support for the befuddled time travelers.

Wrapping Up: A Twist in Thyme (and Time)

In a desperate bid to undo the mayhem, Saverju tinkered with the clock one more time. As Karmena sang the tune of “L-Innu Malti” in reverse, Salvu’s anchovies aligned like a fishy Stonehenge, the trio accidentally dialed up a direct connection to Gozo!

Interview with an Anachronistic Gozitan

“I was just about to enjoy my plate of ftira when Ghawdex turned into a giant ferry. Dak kollu mhux normal, sure, but the view’s lovely now from the Citadel!”

Finally, with an orchestral boom and a puff of bragioli-scented smoke, Mdina snapped back into the present. The streets emptied as quickly as they had filled, leaving behind a handful of confused tourists and a couple of oddly dressed time-stranded nobles.

Reflections of the Time-Traveling Festa

There you have it, folks, an exclusive on the festa that’ll have you checking your calendars and clocks twice. Mdina may be back to its tranquil state, but stories of the day the Silent City spoke volumes will be told for generations – in hushed tones, of course.

Saverju’s Words of Wisdom

“Next time I find an ancient clock, I’m leaving it be. Or maybe… just one more wind?”

Stay tuned to ‘Times of Mela’ for when that happens, and in the meantime, enjoy a peaceful stroll in Mdina, unaffected by the temporal tizzies or the hazards of unplanned festas!