X'Figolla Jrid

Lejla Maltija has just released a new track entitled 'X'Figolla Jrid?' The film and the song is about the traditional Maltese Easter sweet - Figolla and the custom of men trailing the statue of a risen Christ through the streets as fast as they can dare, cheered on by the crowds. The 'Figolla' is an almond filled pastry often in the form of animals or whatever one may fancy. Keeping the person or child who will receive the sweet in mind, they can accordingly take on the shape of a car or a musical instrument, a character from a fairy tale or a romantic heart. The traditional lamb has now been replaced with football team emblems, even what they call 3D shapes taking over the flat sweet. 

 

Has anyone asked the risen Christ the question 'Which shape of Figolla would you like?'
This is the ironic tale behind the tune in Maltese.

'X'Figolla Jrid?' was recorded at Anidroc Studios and produced by A.M.P. for Lejla Maltija.
Performed by Lejla Maltija.
Music and Lyrics by Mario Cordina for Lejla Maltija

The lyrics in Maltese are by Mario Cordina together with an English translation come below.

X’ Figolla Jrid?

Min jaf L’Irxoxt, x’ figolla jrid?
Issa li nizel minn fuq is-salib.
Ħarġuħ jiġri matt-toroq kollha,
Qalb iċ-ċapċip u’ l-briju tall-folla.

(Who knows which figolla the resurrected Christ wants? Now that he has come down from the cross. They took him out running through all the streets, through the cheering and merriment of the crowds.)
Ġanni jrid figolla fill-forma ta kitarra,
Maria trid sirena,
Qalb bill-bajda taċ-ċikkulata għaz-zija Ċett,
Lin-neputija għamiltilha farfett.   

(Ganni i.e. Joseph, wants a figolla in the shape of a guitar. Maria wants a mermaid. A heart with a chocolate egg for Auntie Cett
and a butterfly, I made for my niece.)


Min qadd saqsiegħ?
X’figolla Jrid?

(Whoever asked Him,
Which Figolla he prefers?)

The video for 'X'Figolla Jrid' is an Anidroc Film for Lejla Maltija. It features the Easter Celebrations in Malta with figollas and the Statue of the Risen Christ tradition in the cities of Bormla, Birgu, Isla and Mosta. An A.M.P. production 2016. All rights reserved.


Photos by Jagoda Beltrani.
Figollas by Anthony Cordina and Jagoda Beltrani.
Pisanki by Jagoda Beltrani.