Lija

Lija (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.

Culture


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 very 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.

Lija has several old houses and large citrus gardens. The Lija Belvedere Tower and Villa Francia are a main attraction. The official University Residence of the University of Malta is also situated in this village.

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 being in the 2020/21 season. 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"). 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). At Lija there is also Villa Parisio, where politician Mabel Strickland, daughter of Lord Gerald Strickland, lived.