Be the first to comment!Gharb welcomes back giant puppets for this weekend’s puppet festival
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This weekend, following on from last year’s resounding success, Gharb Local Council will once again be hosting the International Puppet Festival.
One of the main attractions of this edition is Zgugina, a six-metre giant that brings the legend of San Dimitri tal-Gharb to life. Zgugina was built entirely by Gozitan and Maltese artists, carpenters and volunteers, who transformed a Gozitan legend into an icon made by the community.
Zgugina is being considered the first giant doll of this scale to be built in the Maltese Islands. On stage at the Gozo International Puppet Festival, she becomes the festival’s living storyteller – a local legend that opens the door to an international platform.
The legend of Zgugina tells the story of a widow whose son was kidnapped by pirates. She vowed to keep a lighted lamp in front of the saint if her son returned. The saint emerged from the chapel painting, saved the boy, and the lamp never went out. Zgugina in Gharb will once again be the symbol of our faith, courage and stories.
Fatima, a four-metre-tall doll, was also created as a tribute and solidarity with mothers around the world who have lost their children, particularly in Gaza. Fatima, a partner with Zgugina, reminds us that admiration for courage must also be a voice of empathy and solidarity.Visitors to the festival over the weekend should be prepared to be amazed and entertained with much laughter by performances that will feature three giant puppets as they wander around the village, blending storytelling with artistry, there will also be string puppet shows, workshops, puppet vendors, and live entertainment.
There will also be puppets for sale, food stalls and much, much more…..
So don’t miss the opportunity to see this fantastic festival for all ages, on Friday, the 26th and Saturday, the 27th of September, from 6.30pm onwards, then on Sunday, the 28th, from 10.30am onwards.
Photos Top Gharb Local Council: International Puppet Festival 2024
