In pictures: Msida ġostra tradition lives on

The first day of the traditional ġostra weekend was held in Msida on Saturday afternoon with several men attempting to catch the three flags at the end of the slippery pole.

Any trick to capture a flag. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Dating back to the 1800s, the ġostra tradition sees resident run up a 65-foot long wooden pole which is slathered in lard. The pole is perched over the water and participants attempt to snatch one of three flags perched on the tip of pole.

A participant attempts to capture one of the flags on the slippery ġostra. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The Msida event is held over two days on the weekend of the parish’s feast of St Joseph with cash prizes for the those who manage to grab the elusive flags. A special Brown Cup is awarded to the participant who captures the most flags overall.

It's a tricky balancing act to run up the greasy, slippery pole. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Almost, but not quite. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Almost there! Capturing the third, and hardest, flag. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

One of the intrepid participants who successfully caught a ġostra flag. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier