Qormi
Qormi
Ħal Qormi Città Pinto, Casal Fornaro, Casal Curmi | |
---|---|
City and Local council | |
UTC+2 (CEST) | |
Postal code | QRM |
Dialing code | 356 |
ISO 3166 code | MT-43 |
Zones | Fuq tal-Blat, Ħara l-Belha, San Bastjan, San Dwardu, San Ġorġ, Ta' Farsina, Tal-Ħandaq, Tal-Ħlas, il-Vitorja, il-Wied. |
Patron saint | St. George St. Sebastian |
Day of festa | Last Sunday of June (St. George) 3rd Sunday of July (St. Sebastian) |
Website | Official website |
Qormi (Maltese: Ħal Qormi [ħal ʔormi]; pronounced Ħar Qurmi in the Qormi dialect), also known by its title Città Pinto, is a city in the Southern Region of Malta, southwest of Valletta in the centre of the island. It has a population of 16,324 (as of March 2018), making it Malta's fifth-largest city.[1]
Qormi has two parishes, one dedicated to
.Elder inhabitants of Qormi speak a broad
Etymology
The name Qormi is most likely derived from the surname Curmi, which is documented in Sicily as of 1095.
Alternative folk etymologies have been put forward since the 17th century. Domenico Magri connects the toponym to the word curmi as drink.[4] G.F. Abela refers to carm or carme as the Arabic term for vine as origin of the village name.[5] Agius de Soldanis proposed the Greek crumi, collection of water.[6] Finally C. Scicluna likens it to the Greek hormos, harbour, as the Great Harbour used to go inland as far as Qormi.[7] In both latter cases, there is no documentary evidence for any Greek origin of the toponym.[3]
History
There are indications of Qormi being inhabited in antiquity.
In the Middle Ages, Qormi started to grow and prosper, probably due to its proximity to the Grand Harbour and its central position. The first written reference to the town is made in 1417 where it is recorded that the town provided some 100 men to serve in the Dejma, the national guard.[9]
Qormi is likely to have suffered a period of decline during the Great Siege of Malta due to the proximity of the Turkish camp in Marsa.[10]
When Mons.
In 1743 the town made a plea to Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca to elevate it to the level of a "city". This was granted and the town received the title of Città Pinto on 25 May 1743.[9] The decree issued by Pinto said "Habita relatione, Terra Curmi erigmus In Civitatem, Imponentes el nomen Pinto", which means that the land of Qormi, to which he gave his own name Pinto, was then given higher dignity from a piece of land to a city, a fact which is now preserved in the locality's Latin motto: "Altior Ab Imo" (which means, rising from the low). Qormi's bakers served most of the island's bread supplies.
Qormi also experienced plague, which led to some declines throughout its history. However, during the British rule, Qormi moved on with new institutions opening up, mainly schools. Following 1850 Qormi became one of the largest inhabited centres in Malta, with amenities such as water and electricity, which were somewhat rare in those times. Trade and crafts grew, especially Horse racing which is a hobby that Maltese often attribute to people from Qormi.
During the
Qormi has two parishes, dedicated to Saint George and Saint Sebastian. Saint George's parish was the first one. However, when Qormi was growing, there was the need for the city to be split into two parishes to facilitate growth. Saint Sebastian was chosen because Qormi had turned to him during times of plague infestation, since he is the protector and patron saint of people ill from plague, according to Catholic tradition. This led to many Qormi citizens carrying the name of Ġorġ (George) and Bastjan (Sebastian) and their equivalents and derivatives.
Nowadays Qormi is the third largest locality in the nation of Malta, with two parishes, several institutions and a local council that governs the locality.
Governance
Local governance existed during the French occupation of Malta in 1798 however this was a limited and short-lived experiment. It was only in the 1990s that local councils were introduced in Malta with the first local council elections in Qormi taking place in 1994. Subsequent elections took place in 1998, 2001,[13] 2004[14] and 2007.[15]
Mayors
The following served as Qormi mayors:
- George Portelli: 1994–1997
- Alfred Mallia: 1997–1998
- Clyde Puli: 1998–2001
- Roderick Galdes: 2001–2004
- Jesmond Aquilina: 2004–2012
- Rosianne Cutajar: 2014–2017
- Jesmond Aquilina: 2017–2019
- Renald Falzon: 2019–2020 (unfinished term - died in office)
- Josef Masini Vento: since 2020 (acting from 26 October 2020, sworn on 24 November 2020)
Healthcare
Qormi has a Government Health Centre[16] (colloquially referred to as il-Poliklinik) – situated in San Dwardu Area. In the Wied area, there is also a private boutique hospital, St. Thomas Hospital.[17] Qormi has other various pharmacies[18] and private clinics.
Culture
Cuisine
Malta's staple food is bread and Maltese bread is very much sought after. Qormi is recognized nationally as the capital of Maltese bread-making. It boasts the largest number of bakeries in the country, several of which still operate in the traditional manner using wood-fired ovens.
In 2007, Qormi's historical significance was brought to the forefront when it hosted the national event 'Lejl f'Casal Fornaro' (A Night in Casal Fornaro), reminiscent of Qormi's name from centuries ago. This event drew an unprecedented number of attendees, surpassing even the turnout for the traditional feasts. The event's success led to its continuation in 2008 and 2009, with the fourth edition scheduled for October 16, 2010. During this event, visitors may immerse themselves in a traditional Maltese village, where they can enjoy shows and exhibitions that showcase the heritage and traditional life of Qormi. Additionally, they can experience authentic Maltese cuisine.[19]
Qormi also holds an annual
Religion
Qormi has two patron saints which are Saint George and Saint Sebastian.
Qormi is divided into two parishes dedicated to these two saints. The first parish was that of Saint George. The parish of Saint Sebastian was created in 1936 after being made into a subsidiary parish in 1918. The origins of this parish go back to a statue to the saint erected as an act of thanksgiving for deliverance during the
The town is also known for its Good Friday procession from the church of Saint George which features a number of life-size statues and over 500 participants.
Under the guidance of the St George archpriest, there is the Kumitat Festi Esterni (AD 1919). This committee is responsible for a large number of activities, which raise funds for the organization of the local fiesta. It is the first committee of the sort in Malta.
Band clubs
- Pinto Philharmonic Society, St. Sebastian Band (Is-Soċjetà Filarmonika Pinto, Banda San Sebastjan)—founded in 1862, apart from being the first band club in Qormi it is also one of the earliest Maltese band clubs, originally in the Saint George parish but later moved to the Saint Sebastian parish due to the parish limits
- Filarmonica San Giorgio (Għaqda Mużikali San Ġorġ Martri) founded in 1893 in the St George parish. Since its formation the band has actively participated in the organisation of the parish feast and Holy Week activities. The organisation was also very active in the country's struggle to obtain self-government.[22]
- Anici Band & Social Club (L-Għaqda Soċjo Mużikali Anici)—founded in 1988 in the Saint George parish.[23]
Media
- Qormi has two community radio stations. "Bastjaniżi FM" broadcasts on 95 Grapevine"), referring to the concentration of vineyards in the old times. The Għaqda Ġuże' Muscat Azzopardi/Awturi Qriema publishes twice yearly Altior ab Imo, sent to its members.
Neighbourhoods
Known in Maltese as Żoni (Zones), Naħat (Sides) or Inħawi (Areas), Qormi is composed of the following neighbourhoods, separated into two different Parroċċi (Parishes), which also denote geographical areas:
Parroċċa San Ġorġ (Parruċċa San Ġorġ)
- San Ġorġ
This is the old village core of Qormi. This area dates back to hundreds of years back, with the Saint George Parish Church dating back all the way to 1436. This area is home to the Għaqda Mużikali San Ġorġ Martri A.D 1893 club.
- Barrakki (Previously known as Ħâra l-Belha (Ħûra l-Bilha))
Along with the San Ġorġ area, this is one of oldest zones of the city. This is essentially a residential area which is situated close to the San Ġorġ area.
- San Franġisk (San Franġesk)
Adjacent to the San Ġorġ area, the San Franġisk area is situated around the Pjazza San Franġisk, Although not very big, this area has served as a space for celebrations, most notably relating to Qormi F.C. wins. This may have been the traditional spot due to the presence of an old bar owned by the football club.
- Il-Wied
The name means "The Valley", and this has been nicknamed so as it is really and truly a part of a valley, due to the low-lying nature of the city. This area has until recently been known for flooding when storms hit Malta.[29] The headquarters and training grounds of Qormi F.C. and the Qormi Youth Nursery, can be found in this area. This complex was renovated and relaunched in 2012 as the Qormi FC Football Complex.[30][31] In the area, the Qormi Cemetery is also found (Iċ-ċimitierju in the Qormi dialect), as well as a private hospital, launched in 2013[32][33] and completed in 2016.[34][35][36][37]
- Tal-Bajjad
This area is the uphill from The Wied area, and mostly it is an industrial and office area, with headquarters of HSBC Malta and PwC Malta. It is infamous for a shootout that occurred in 2005.[38] In 2017, the area was earmarked for a development policy shift to enable potential improvements in the area.[39]
- Tal-Blat
- Ta' Farżina
Close to the Tal-Ħlas area, Ta' Farżina is a residential area, most notably with a large number of blocks of flats.
- Tal-Ħlas (Tal-Ħlus)
Although the area is another residential area, just off Tal-Vitorja, it gets its name from a chapel in the countryside of Qormi (on the side of this area), Tal-Ħlas referring to "Deliverance", or Our Lady of Deliverance.[40]
- Tal-Vitorja (Tal-Viturja)
This is a residential area close to the Saint Sebastian borders. It gets its name from the Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Victory.[41][42]
Parroċċa San Bastjan (Parruċċa San Bastjun)
- San Bastjan (San Bastjun)
The newer downtown centre, San Bastjan revolves around the Knisja Parrokkjali ta' San Sebastjan (Parish Church of Saint Sebastian. Not very far, there is the Old Church of Saint Sebastian (Il-Knisja l-Qadima), which has now been converted into a church museum. The Pinto Philarmonic Society każin is situated here.
The area has a small number of bars, cafes and food take away joints, together with grocery shops, stationeries, and other public amenities. The Local Council offices are situated between this area and Tal-Vitorja.
- San Dwardu
San Dwardu is a residential area in the San Sebastjan Parish, taking its name from a principal street in the area, Triq San Dwardu.
Iż-Żona Industrijali Tal-Ħandaq, was first scheduled in 1992 to become a Housing Estate, eventually it was changed to become an Industrial Estate, sitting on the outskirts, on the west side.
- Ta' Paskarella
- Għar Ram
Sports
- Qormi is home to Qormi FC, the football team of the town, playing in yellow and black. The team was promoted to the Maltese Premier Leaguein 2018.
- Qormi is also home to the Qormi Basketball Club, which was established in 1995.
- Qormi Sharks RFC is a Rugby Union team that has moved to Qormi recently.
List of sport clubs
|- |
Schools
Kindergarten
- Ġużé Muscat Azzopardi Kindergarten, San Bastjan
- St Joseph School (Private Independent School) - Żbandola Street, Qormi
Primary
- Ġużé Galea Primary School, San Ġorġ
- Ġużé Muscat Azzopardi Primary (A,B), San Bastjan
- St Joseph School (Private Independent School) - Żbandola Street, Qormi
Secondary
- Liceo Vassalli Junior Lyceum, Tal-Ħandaq
- Ġużé Galea Secondary School, San Ġorġ
Notable people
- Qormi FC and the Malta Football Association
- Marie Louise Coleiro Preca - President of Malta(2014-2019), long time Member of Parliament and Minister
- John Dalli - Former Member of Parliament, Minister and European Commissioner
- Clyde Puli - Politician, Member of Parliament, Previous Mayor and former Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport
- Roderick Galdes - Politician, Previous Mayor and current Member of Parliament
- Etienne Barbara - International footballer
- Leli Fabri - Retired International footballer and coach
- Claudia Faniello - Pop Singer
- Fabrizio Faniello - Pop Singer, Eurovision Song Contest performer 2001 and 2006
- Olivia Lewis - Pop Singer, Eurovision Song Contest performer 2007
- Gorg Mallia- Academic, writer and cartoonist
- Joseph Calleja - Tenor
- Charles Scicluna - Archbishop of Malta
- Philip Mizzi - Actor
References
- ^ "Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014". Government of Malta. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015.
- ^ Wettinger G. (1984): Hal-Qormi qabel il-Migja tal-Kavallieri in Il-Knisja Parrokjali ta' San Gorg Hal-Qormi; pp 3
- ^ a b Anton Bugeja, Geocities
- ^ Bonello G. (1996): The Earliest Maltese encyclopedia, 1644-7; in Sunday Times of Malta 27/10/1996 pp 93
- ^ Abela G.F. (1647): Della Descrittione di Malta.....; libro I, notitia VIII pp 93
- ^ Farrugia G. (1936): Ghawdex bil-grajja tieghu Vol I pp 68 (translated from Agius de Soldanis F.: Il Gozo Antico e Moderno Sacro e Profano)
- ^ Scicluna C. (1997): Antiquity probably knew Qormi "as a harbour"; in Times of Malta 18/11/1997; pp 5
- ^ Twitchell-Waas, Jeffrey. "Ħal Qormi Four walks through a historic city" (PDF): 2–3.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ a b "Storja ta' Ħal Qormi matul iż-żminijiet". cittapinto.com (in Maltese). Archived from the original on 8 July 2011.
- ^ Cassar, George. "The role of the Maltese inhabitants during the Great Siege". The Great Siege 1565: 5.
- ^ "Ħal Qormi". Visit Malta. Archived from the original on 16 May 2014.
- ^ Cassar Pullicino, Joseph. "The Order of St. John in Maltese Folk-Memory" Archived 17 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Melitensia. p. 158.
- ^ "Councils Election 2001 - Qormi (06)". Department of Information - Malta. Archived from the original on 14 March 2007.
- ^ "Councils Election 2004 - Qormi (06)". Department of Information - Malta. Archived from the original on 16 February 2007.
- ^ "Councils Election 2007 - Qormi (06)". Department of Information - Malta. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Qormi Health Centre". Health.gov.mt. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "St. Thomas Hospital - Now Open in Qormi". Sthmalta.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "Pharmacies in Qormi". Pharmacy.com.mt. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "Lejl f'Casal Fornaro - European Festivals Association". www.festivalfinder.eu. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Qormi bakers bake 9ft loaf". Times of Malta. 8 May 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ "Qormi - San Sebastjan". Archdiocese of Malta. 15 December 2006. Archived from the original on 2 January 2008.
- ^ "Click here to edit title". Bandasangorg.com. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ Bianchi, Carmel. "Storja ta' l-Ghaqda Muzikali Anici Qormi". Anici Band Club (in Maltese). Archived from the original on 14 July 2009.
- ^ "Kunsilli Lokali - Ħal Qormi (Città Pinto) - Pjazez". Lc.gov.mt. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "San Frangisk de Paule - Church - Qormi, Malta". Quddies.com.mt. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "Se tiġi restawrata knisja tas-seklu 18 f'Ħal Qormi". Newsbook.com.mt. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "€41,000 għar-restawr tal-kappella ta' San Franġisk f'Ħal Qormi". TVM. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "Ġawhra storika fiċ-ċentru ta' Ħal Qormi". One.com.mt. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "Il-proġett kontra l-għarar suċċess f'Ħal-Qormi- KL Qormi". iNEWS Malta (in Maltese). 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 4 July 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ "Qormi FC complex inaugurated". S638673298.onlinehome.us. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "maltafootball.com". Maltafootball.com. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "Times of Malta ‒ 'Boutique hospital' to open its doors in Qormi". Timesofmalta.com. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ Allied Newspapers Ltd (9 January 2013). "Times of Malta ‒ Soft opening for new private hospital in Qormi". Timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "40-bed private hospital in Qormi inaugurated". Chris Fearne. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ Mathias Mallia (2 September 2016). "PM, Health Minister inaugurate St Thomas Hospital after €9 million investment - The Malta Independent". Independent.com.mt. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "€9 million investment at St Thomas Hospital: government signs agreement for 200 operations". MaltaToday.com.mt. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "Times of Malta ‒ 40-bed private hospital in Qormi inaugurated". Timesofmalta.com. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "12 years' jail for Qormi criminal in 2005 police shoot-out". MaltaToday.com.mt. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "Il-Qriema se jaraw bidla f'tal-Bajjad | One News". One.com.mt. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ 4:30pmMaltese. "Madonna tal-Hlas - Sanctuary - Qormi, Malta". Quddies.com.mt. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Madonna tal-Vitorja - Church - Qormi, Malta". Quddies.com.mt. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ "Knisja Madonna tal-Vitorja, Qormi, Malta, Malta". Archived from the original on 9 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
Bibliography
- W&R Chambers Limited and Cambridge University Press, Chambers World Gazetteer: an A-Z of Geographical Information, 5th edition, 1988, page 528
- Barry Turner (ed.), The Statesman's Yearbook: The Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World 2005, Palgrave Macmillan, page 1113