The Maltese Islands are a strong Catholic country, with a wide diversity of festivities which makes up the religious year. Feast days are the life of the Islands and some holy days are actually national holidays, such as the feast of Santa Marija in mid August. Others, such as the harvest festival, or L'Imnarja at the end of June, are steeped in folklore. However, the most important events to all villages are their individual festas, honouring their parish patron saint.