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Lija (Maltese: Ħal Lija) is a small village in the Eastern Region of Malta. It forms part of the Three villages of Malta, along with Attard and Balzan. Lija has a baroque parish church and seven other small chapels. The parish church is dedicated to Our Saviour. Lija became a parish in 1594, after the small community detached itself from the neighbouring town, Birkirkara. It has a population of 3,162 as of 2021.[1]
Lija
Ħal Lija Casal Lia | |
|---|---|
 Lija Parish Church | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Motto(s): Suavi Fructo Rubeo (I glow red with sweet fruit) | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 35°54′5″N 14°26′50″E / 35.90139°N 14.44722°E | |
| Country |  Malta |
| Region | Eastern Region |
| District | Western District |
| Borders | Attard, Balzan, Birkirkara, Iklin, Mosta, Naxxar |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Anthony Dalli (PN) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.1 km2 (0.4 sq mi) |
| Population (Jan. 2019) | |
| • Total | 3,202 |
| • Density | 2,900/km2 (7,500/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Lijan (m), Lijana (f), Lijani (pl) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Postal code | LJA |
| Dialing code | 356 |
| ISO 3166 code | MT-24 |
| Patron saint | Transfiguration of Our Saviour |
| Day of festa | 6 August |
| Website | Official website |
Culture
edit
Lija is mostly known for its fireworks displays that attract thousands of locals and tourists during the festa period held in the first week of August. These displays are well renowned and claimed to be the best around the island. The Lija fireworks team also won an international fireworks competition held in Monaco back in 1980. In 2006, the Lija fireworks factory placed second in a Fireworks festival organised at the Grand Harbour in Malta's capital, Valletta.[2]
Lija has several old houses and large citrus gardens. The Lija Belvedere Tower and Villa Francia are the main attraction. The official University Residence of the University of Malta is also situated in this village.[3]
Lija Athletic F.C. is the village's football club. This club has been promoted to Malta's Premier (highest) Division five times in its history, most recently in the 2020/21 season.[citation needed] Considering the small size of the village and the resource and financial limitations, this was deemed to be a huge success by local sports enthusiasts. Lija Athletic, with the collaboration of the Local Council, inaugurated a new synthetic pitch on 6 July 2007 (Jum Ħal Lija or "Lija Day").[4] This pitch is situated in the village's primary school grounds. This year, 2024, the club is celebrating its 75th anniversary since its foundation in 1949.
British author Anthony Burgess, whose works include A Clockwork Orange, resided in Lija for three years (1968-1970).[5] At Lija there is also Villa Parisio, where politician Mabel Strickland, daughter of Lord Gerald Strickland, lived.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Census of Population and Housing 2021: Preliminary Report". nso.gov.mt. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
- ^ "Lija fireworks to light up the sky". Times of Malta. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Lija, Malta - Information and interests". www.malta.com. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Lija Athletic FC - Official Website". 13 July 2007. Archived from the original on 13 July 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Foundation, Burgess (26 June 2018). "Going into Exile: Anthony Burgess in Malta". The International Anthony Burgess Foundation. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Who has right of use of Ms Mabel Strickland's villa?". TVMnews.mt. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2024.