Fireworks, Festas and The Love of Animals

Last Updated on June 2, 2026 by MDGAdmin

For years, we’ve been told that fireworks are an essential part of Maltese culture.

Questioning them is often treated as if you’re questioning the festa itself.

But after the explosion at the fireworks factory in Naxxar this week, many people are asking a different question.

At what point does tradition stop being a good enough excuse?

The blast was heard across large parts of Malta. News reports quickly emerged describing damage to nearby farms, injured animals, and the deaths of livestock caught in the aftermath. For the families who owned those animals, this wasn’t a debate about culture. It was a tragedy.

Yet even without factory accidents, animals pay the price every single summer.

Ask any dog owner.

Ask any cat owner.

Ask anyone who volunteers at an animal shelter.

The stories are always the same.

Dogs escape gardens.

Cats disappear for days.

Birds panic and fly into buildings.

Animals stop eating, hide under furniture, or spend hours trembling in fear.

Every year social media fills with appeals for missing pets during festa season.

And every year we act surprised.

What makes this especially strange is that many of the same people who proudly describe themselves as animal lovers continue supporting the very activity that causes the problem.

Imagine if another form of entertainment caused the same level of stress and disruption to animals. There would be outrage.

Yet because fireworks are wrapped in tradition, they often receive a free pass.

That doesn’t mean festas should disappear.

Far from it.

The music, food, decorations, village atmosphere, local celebrations, and community spirit are what most people genuinely remember.

Ask somebody about their favourite festa memories and they are far more likely to talk about family, friends, street food, and celebrations than a particular explosion in the sky.

Which raises an uncomfortable possibility.

What if festas would survive perfectly well without fireworks?

What if the things people actually love about festas have very little to do with fireworks at all?

Technology has already given organisers alternatives. Drone shows, light displays, concerts, projections, and other forms of entertainment can create spectacle without terrifying every animal within hearing distance.

Other countries are already moving in that direction.

Malta could too.

Perhaps the real question isn’t whether fireworks are traditional.

The real question is whether tradition should outweigh the welfare of animals, the disruption to residents, and the risks demonstrated by accidents like the one that occurred this week.

If you genuinely love animals, that question becomes harder to ignore every year.

Maybe supporting Maltese culture and protecting animals shouldn’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Maybe it’s time to start imagining a different kind of festa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Were animals affected by the Naxxar fireworks factory explosion?

Reports following the explosion described animal deaths, injuries, and damage to nearby farms and livestock.

Do fireworks affect pets?

Many pets experience stress, anxiety, panic, and attempts to escape during fireworks displays.

Are there alternatives to fireworks?

Yes. Drone shows, light displays, concerts, and other forms of entertainment are increasingly being used around the world.

Are Maltese festas only about fireworks?

No. Most festas also include music, food, decorations, religious celebrations, community events, and social gatherings.

Why do animal welfare groups criticise fireworks?

Because of their impact on pets, wildlife, livestock, and other animals.

Can you support festas without supporting fireworks?

Many people would argue yes. The festa experience involves much more than fireworks alone.