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L-Unjoni Philharmonic Society of Luqa to represent Malta in Patras for the
Feast of St Andrew 2026
A delegation of 106 people to participate in a programme of music, faith and cultural exchange
The L-Unjoni Philharmonic Society of Luqa will be travelling to Patras, Greece, at the
end of November to participate in the celebrations marking the Feast of Saint
Andrew the Apostle, Patron Saint of Patras, in an important cultural and religious
exchange between Malta and Greece.
The official visit, taking place between 27 November and 12 December 2026, will
see the Luqa Philharmonic Society represented by a delegation of 106 people,
including 45 musicians and around 60 supporters and accompanying persons. The
visit is being organised on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Andrew and will provide
the Society with the opportunity to showcase Malta's rich band-club tradition and
musical heritage in one of Greece's most important religious celebrations.
The official programme will commence on Sunday, 29 November, with the L-Unjoni
Philharmonic Society participating in a musical march through the main streets of
Patras. The band will perform a selection of traditional Maltese marches, bringing the
distinctive sound and traditions of Malta's festa culture to the streets of the Greek
city.
On the following day, Monday, 30 November, the Feast of Saint Andrew, the
musicians will participate in the solemn religious procession held in honour of the
Apostle. The participation of a Maltese philharmonic society in the celebrations of the
Patron Saint of Patras will provide a particularly meaningful expression of the shared
Catholic devotion to Saint Andrew and the longstanding cultural links between the
two Mediterranean countries.
The celebrations will conclude with a special musical concert at the Pantheon
Theatre in Patras on the evening of 30 November. The concert will feature a
programme prepared especially for the occasion and will include music reflecting
Malta's musical heritage and the repertoire of the L-Unjoni Philharmonic Society. The
band will be under the direction of Mro. John D. Zammit.
Through this visit, L-Unjoni aims not only to present the musical traditions of Luqa
and Malta to a Greek audience, but also to strengthen the bonds of friendship and
cultural cooperation between the two communities. The visit will bring together
music, faith, tradition and cultural diplomacy, highlighting the important role that
voluntary musical societies continue to play in Malta's cultural identity. This is also an
opportunity to promote Malta as a country with a rich and distinctive band-club
tradition, while introducing the people of Patras to the traditions surrounding the
Maltese village festa and the important place occupied by philharmonic societies
within Maltese communities.
The Society expresses its sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Municipality of
Patras, the Metropolitan Church of Patras and the Embassy of Malta in Greece for
their support and cooperation in connection with this visit.
The visit is expected to provide a memorable experience for the musicians and
supporters travelling from Luqa, while creating a lasting cultural bridge between Luqa
and Patras, united through their devotion to Saint Andrew and through their shared
appreciation of music, faith and tradition.
The L-Unjoni Philharmonic Society of Luqa looks forward to bringing the sound of
Malta to Patras and to joining the people of the city in celebrating the Feast of Saint
Andrew on 30 November 2026. This visit is supported by the Ministry for Foreign and
European Affairs, Arts Council Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority.
