Birkirkara

Towns (Malta)
name = Birkirkara
coa = BirkirkaraHTML.gif
motto = In hoc signo vinces
official_name = Birkirkara
inhabitants_name = Karkariż (m), Karkariża (f), Karkariżi (pl)
other_names = B'kara, Birchircara, San Ġwann ta' l-Għorgħar (code: BKR)

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latitude = 35°53 '48"
longitude = 14°27 '45"
area = 2.7
population_total = 21,858 (Nov 2005) (1st largest locality)
population_density = 7,971
borders = Balzan, Iklin, Lija, Msida, San Ġwann, Santa Venera, Qormi
saint = St. Helen; St. Mary; St. Joseph the Worker; Our Lady of Carmelo; St. Anthony of Padova
feast = St. Helen August 18 (or first Sunday after date); Sunday after 15 August; May 1; First Sunday of July; First Sunday of June
mayor = Michael Fenech Adami (PN)
website = [http://www.birkirkaraonline.com/ birkirkaraonline.com]

Birkirkara or B'Kara (English: Birchircara) [ [http://www.geody.com/geolook.php?world=terra&
] ] [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/MT/0/Birkirkara.html Maps, Weather, and Airports for Birkirkara, Malta ] ] is a town of 21,775 inhabitants (as of November 2005) in central Malta. It is the largest and most populous town on the island and consists of four autonomous parishes: St Helen, St Joseph, Our Lady of the Carmel and St Mary. It also houses one of the most famous colleges in Malta, St Aloysius' College. Birkirkara is the home town of President Edward Fenech Adami and former Opposition Leader Alfred Sant and also the first president of Malta Anthony Mamo. It is the birthplace of Malta's leading singer songwriter Walter Micallef.

The city's motto is "In hoc signo vinces", and its coat of arms is a plain red cross, surmounted by a crown.

There are many places of interest in Birkirkara, amongst them the Old Railway Station which is today located within a public garden. in 1993.

The main religious feast celebrated by Catholics in Birkirkara is that of St Helen which is celebrated on 18 August if it falls on a Sunday, or on the first Sunday after that date. The main event of the celebration is a procession with a large wooden statue carved by the Maltese master-sculptor Salvu Psaila. Notably, this is the only procession on the island carried out in the morning. The procession leaves the basilica at exactly 08:00 and returns to it at 10:45. The statue is lifted to shoulder-height by a group of townsmen and is carried through the main streets of the city.

Birkirkara has grown into an important commercial centre as well as a densely populated residential area. Birkirkara is known for its football club, Birkirkara F.C., founded in 1950. Despite having a crop of brilliant players over the past few years, the team had found difficulty in local leagues, arguably because of the rise of Valletta and subsequently Sliema. Despite difficulties, the football team won the 2005/2006 Championship, its second honour so far.

ee also

*Birkirkara M.U.S.E.U.M. Branches

References

External links

* [http://www.birkirkaraonline.com Birkirkara Local Council]
* [http://www.freewebs.com/jesmmifs2/ the Historical Society Website]
* [http://www.bkara.com/info.htm Birkirkara: general information]
* [http://www.malta.co.uk/KHS/cross.html Birkirkara and the cross]
* [http://www.malta.co.uk/KHS/helenfeast.htm Empress Helen en fete]

Coordinates: coord|35|53|48|N|14|27|45|E|type:city