Easter Sunday begins with a triumphant morning procession in which the statue of the Resurrected Christ is carried high upon the shoulders of the town’s parishioners. The parading of the statue is quite up tempo, with those carrying the statue actually running through the streets as the crowds applaud. Some onlookers throw paper confetti from balconies and windows. The local bands no longer play the solemn funeral processional music, but instead blast cheerful brass compositions. Children accompany the procession, carrying the figolla with them. A figolla is a traditional Maltese pastry which is almond-filled, covered with icing sugar, and in the shape of a rabbit, a lamb, a fish, or a heart. During the procession, the children hold the figollas up as the statue of the Risen Christ goes past in order to have it blessed. Children are also given gifts of chocolate Easter eggs throughout the day.
Paolo Tosti’s pictures have been token during the whole day of the Easter Sunday and show all the stages of the procession, the architecture, the folklore and landscape.