An Island Comes Alive

Gozo will soon shed its peaceful and reclusive character as the island’s capital will be transformed during a weekend which not only aims to provide visitors with a variety of events but also to enable them to discover a few of the island’s secrets.

From history to visual arts and from music to dance and folk; from parades to re-enactments, exhibitions, concerts, mini-festivals and markets, this year’s edition of Lejlet Lapsi, Notte Gozitana, will bring together a packed cultural and entertainment programme which also aims to enable visitors to explore more of the island’s peculiar charm.

Presented by the Ministry for Gozo, the three-day festival will be held between 22-24 May in Victoria, the events unfolding against the rich historical backdrop of the ancient Gozitan capital.

“The aim is to provide Gozitans and visitors with a jam-packed weekend of arts, culture and entertainment while also discovering Gozo,” says a spokesman for the organising committee. Apart from the opening of historical places and museums in Victoria, local councils will also open prime historical sites and venues for visitors to explore further, he says. Shelters will be open to the public while museums, coffee shops and restaurants in the capital will stay open till late. Various private exhibitions hosted by Gozitan artists will also take place round the capital.

The programme will kick off on Friday 22 May, when highlights will include three major exhibitions in collaboration with Heritage Malta, which will be inaugurated at the Ministry for Gozo, the Banca Giuratale, and the Citadel Cultural Centre. A spectacular dance show celebrating Yada’s 25th anniversary will be held at St Francis Square while a Retro & Rock Festival will be held at the bus terminus also presenting the U2 Tribute Band.
A wine festival will be held at the Citadel.

On Saturday morning a Gozo Mini Musical show will be presented by the Gozo College at St Francis Square. Other events will include thematic tours round Gozo as well as lunchtime concerts in various chapels. In the afternoon, various parades, re-enactments and folk shows will be held as well as an infiorata and a market for children with various hands-on and educational activities.

On Saturday evening and night, Independence Square stage will host prime artists like Mike Spiteri and Fakawi Band as well as the Moonlighters from Italy and Mark Spiteri Lucas together with various Gozitan singers. The bus terminus will also host a Dance Festival with live acts, top DJs and attractions; other events include a fashion show at The Duke in Republic Street and a candlelight experience amidst the narrow streets. At midnight, a giggifogu spectacular will be held in St Augustine’s Square; after midnight a chillout concert will be held in the atmospheric St George’s Square, featuring Paul Giordimaina and Pamela, Renzo Spiteri and William Mangion.

On Sunday morning, events will include Gozitan choirs performing in Victoria’s prime churches and a sbandieratori parade from Italy. In the afternoon, various re-enactments and a folk show will be held, closing with a pontifical mass and the Kwaranturi procession from the Cathedral.

In Gozo public transport will run extended trips to and from Victoria during the later hours while a shuttle service will operate regularly from Mgarr to Victoria. Parking facilities with a park-and-ride service from Victoria and its vicinities to the centre will operate during peak hours of the event. In Malta, during the later hours additional transport is being organized, from Valletta to Cirkewwa and back.

For more information call 2155 6125; email at info@gozoculture.com or visit www.gozo.gov.mt or www.gozoculture.com.