Il-Hagar Museum in Gozo has announced the start of its 2025/2026 events season, with a public talk and music recital planned for the opening weekend.

In its first public talk of the new season, on Saturday, the 11th of October, at 11am, the Museum will be hosting Dr Alfred Grech, President of Circolo Gozitano, who will be addressing the unique administrative and governance needs of Gozo as a distinct island region within Malta.

In this public lecture titled Gozo: An Island Region, Dr Grech will illustrate how despite its rich cultural heritage, geographical insularity, and socio-economic particularities, Gozo has historically lacked a dedicated regional governing body capable of tackling its specific challenges.

The public talk explores the historical precedent of the Gozo Civic Council (1961-1973) and recent legislative developments establishing regional councils in Malta, including the creation of the Gozo Regional Council. It argues that a fully empowered regional council for Gozo is essential to promote balanced regional development, deliver effective local governance, and safeguard the island’s unique identity.

Through greater administrative autonomy and tailored policymaking, Gozo can better manage its resources, infrastructure, and cultural heritage while fostering socio-economic progress. The talk concludes that advocating enhanced regional governance is critical to overcoming insularity-related disadvantages and ensuring sustainable development for Gozo’s community.

A lawyer by profession, Dr Alfred Grech has lectured at the University of Malta in Family Law, European Law, and Human Rights Law. He is also a widely published author and poet. He serves as the current President of Circolo Gozitano, a non-governmental civil society organisation founded in 1913, whose primary aim is to promote Gozo and advance the socio-economic and cultural interests of the Gozitans.

Admission to Il-Hagar and participation in the public talks are free of charge. However, seat reservations are recommended by sending an email to events@heartofgozo.org.mt.

Wind Quintet recital at Il-Hagar

The second event of the opening weekend is on Sunday, the 12th, at 7.30pm, when Il-Hagar will present a recital of works by the likes of Rossini, Shostakovich, Morricone, Nielsen and Williams featuring Natascha Chircop (flute), Alfred Fenech (oboe), Noel Beck (clarinet), Marco Cola (horn) and Peter Lyndley (bassoon).

Admission is free, seat reservations are recommended by sending an email to events@heartofgozo.org.mt.

This concert is supported by the Cultural Heritage Directorate within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning through its Opera is Gozo initiative.

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