A landmark court ruling delivered today has provided reassurance to Malta’s fireworks sector, safeguarding the operations of 31 fireworks factories across Malta and Gozo and reinforcing the cultural importance of village feasts.
The Civil Court, presided over by Madam Justice Audrey Demicoli, upheld the right of the Santa Marija Fireworks Factory in Mosta to continue operating in line with Maltese law. The decision has wider implications, as it effectively protects all fireworks factories that were already in existence prior to 1994, preventing what could have been widespread closures across the sector.
The Partit Nazzjonalista welcomed the judgment, describing it as a victory not only for the Mosta factory but also for dozens of others that would have been adversely affected had the ruling gone the other way. The PN stressed that fireworks are intrinsically linked to Maltese village feasts, which are recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and reiterated its appreciation for the voluntary work carried out by those involved in fireworks production.
The Labour Party, meanwhile, said the ruling confirms the importance of timely action taken by a Labour Government in 2018, when legal amendments were introduced to clarify the operating distances of fireworks factories. The Court rejected requests to repeal this law, confirming its validity and necessity. The Labour Government highlighted that, beyond legislative protection, it has also provided annual financial assistance to fireworks factories to improve safety, and played a key role in securing UNESCO recognition for Maltese village feasts in December 2023.
The Malta Pyrotechnic Association (MPA) also welcomed the decision, noting that had the 2018 amendment to the Explosive Ordinance been nullified, 31 out of 35 licensed fireworks factories would have been forced to close. The MPA underlined that Maltese festas are internationally recognised as intangible heritage and recalled that the European Court of Human Rights had previously affirmed fireworks as a community right and an integral part of Malta’s cultural and religious traditions.
Together, the ruling is being seen as a significant step in protecting a centuries-old tradition, ensuring the continued celebration of Maltese village feasts and the survival of the fireworks factories that help define them.