Internal and external festivities for the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, also known as Santa Marija, are currently taking place the heart of the city of Victoria, Gozo.

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the celebrations, and the Leone Philharmonic Society, together with Ghaqda Zghazagh Iljuni, are organising a variety of events which will be held throughout the city, including solemn celebrations, band marches, street festivities, audio-visual and firework shows, to name but a few.

The programme of external activities for the next two days is as follows:

Thursday, 14th August

The traditional Santa Marija agricultural show is open at 10.00am for thousands of visitors at the Villa Rundle public gardens in lower Republic Street.

11:00am – Children’s Parade with the grand flag that flies on the Leone Band Club from the Gozo Cittadella to the Leone Band Club in Republic Street.

12.00pm – Party for the children in the Band Club.

6.00pm Pontifical Translation of the Relic of Our Lady by Cardinal Mario Grech from the Church of the Adoration of Savina for the Cathedral, accompanied by the Leone Band

7:30pm Pontifical Solemn Thanksgiving to God in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the coronation of the titular Bishop of the Assumption, presided over by Bishop of Gozo Anton Teuma and the Cathedral Chapter.

9:30pm – A grand triumphal march by the Leone Band (Victoria) and St Sebastian Band (Qormi) as thousands of revellers party from the Leone Band Club, with rooftop fireworks display, along Republic Street to traditional and festive chants ending in Savina Square at 12.15am with a celebration and fireworks..

Friday 15th August

The traditional Santa Marija agricultural fair is open at 7am. The prize giving ceremony takes place at 11.30am, the show closes at 1pm.

9:00am – Solemn high Mass presided by Cardinal Mario Grech at the Gozo Cathedral, accompanied by Bishop of Gozo Anton Teuma and the Cathedral Chapter with the participation of choir and orchestra, the congregation will be led by President Myriam Spiteri Debono.

11:00am – Traditional and popular band march in the historic centre of Victoria, passing through Victoria’s narrow streets. 12th May (Haz-Zebbug) and La Vittoria (Mellieha) bands will participate.

2.15pm – The traditional and popular band march will finish in Independence Square with a spectacular fireworks show synchronised to music, organised by Ghaqda Zghazagh Iljuni

6:45pm – Solemn procession, with the Santa Marija statue (1896). The Leone Band performs the much-acclaimed cantata in honour of Our Lady “Per La Festa Di Maria Assunta In Cielo” (1913) in an emotional start of the procession which makes its way through the old streets of the city’s historic centre.

Spectacular coloured fireworks will also be let off during the 4-hour procession during which the Leone Band performs.

8.00pm: March by the St Joseph Band (Ghajnsielem) from the band club to the Cathedral, where it will play a musical programme under the direction of Mr. Frankie Debono.

8.00pm: Musical programme by the Victory Band (Xaghra) in Independence Square under the direction of Mro Marvin Grech.

10:00pm – Spectacular and resounding fireworks spectacle lit from Gelmus Hill, visible from the Gozo Cittadella, coordinated by Vampa Organisations.

10:30pm – Solemn entrance of the Santa Marija statue inside the Gozo Cathedral accompanied by Cardinal Mario Grech, with an aux flambaux gathering in the Cittadella’s main square and access road.

Photo: Gozo Cathedral

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