Ftira Day celebrates Maltese culture and tradition centred around the country’s beloved ftira bread.

Ftira Day typically takes place on the first Sunday of May. It is marked by events and activities throughout Malta, including food stalls selling various types of ftira and cultural performances and exhibitions. The day is a celebration of the unique identity and heritage of Malta. It is an opportunity for locals and visitors to unite and enjoy the country’s rich culture and traditions.

What is a ftira?

Ftira is a ring-shaped, leavened Maltese bread, usually eaten with fillings such as tuna, fresh tomato, pickled onions, capers and olives. Regional variations include the Gozo ftira, served more like a pizza than a sandwich. Gozitan ftira is helped open with thinly sliced potato over the crust or folded over like a calzone.

During Ftira Day, you can expect to find a wide variety of fire toppings, from the traditional tomato, onion, and tuna topping to more modern versions with ingredients like sausage, chicken, and mushrooms. Many stalls and restaurants also offer sweet versions of the bread, with toppings like Nutella, bananas, and strawberries.

Overall, Ftira Day is a great way to experience the best Maltese cuisine and culture and is a must-visit event for anyone interested in learning more about this beautiful island nation.

Celebrating Ftira Day at GCS Malta

We celebrated the historical day by making traditional ftiras together. These are the ingredients we used.

  • Tomato paste (you can go fresh and use this as your base)
  • Olive oil
  • Canned tuna in water
  • Capers
  • Pickled onions
  • Lettuce
  • Black Olives
  • Salt and Pepper

Best bakeries in Malta and Gozo

We’ve discussed and given our opinion on which bakery we think is best regarding the traditional ftira.

  • Mekren Bakery (Gozo)
  • Maxokk Bakery (Gozo)
  • Debono Bakery (Gozo)
  • Duke’s Snack Bar (Malta)
  • Sea View Cafe (Malta)
  • Mġarr Farmer’s Bar (Malta)

What is your favourite place to enjoy a traditional ftira? Let us know in the comments!

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Article by Neil Psaila