For the third year in succession, the Ministry for Gozo is hosting a weekend packed with events from Friday 14 May, to Sunday 16 May, to mark this year’s edition of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana. The programme starts the weekend before, when on 9 May, no fewer than four exhibitions at different venues will be open to the public.

The activities within this year’s programme will include commemorative lectures, artistic animators, ‘Art in the Squares’ events, including ‘Hands-on Art’ in collaboration with the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts and a number of other cultural activities of all genres that will flow into the weekend of Lejlet Lapsi itself, which should appeal to the general public of all ages. Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana is planned to offer events with a wide and varied appeal.

Inaugurating this year’s edition, the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, explained how this year’s edition is building on the success of previous initiatives. “I am convinced that Gozo has a lot to offer both to tourists and the Maltese who regularly visit us. Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana, starting on the weekend on 9 May and more so on the weekend of 14 May, is an ideal showcase for the arts and to enable us to share our heritage with the wider public. With all the activities going on within Victoria itself, I am convinced that there is something to appeal to everyone’s likings. Thus one must endeavour to keep these two weekends free in order to join in and be part of this event”, concluded Minister Giovanna Debono.

The exhibitions include two venues dedicated to three generations of 19th century artists from the Busuttil family at the Ministry for Gozo and the Banca Giuratale – the first time their works have been brought together in a single exhibition. They consist of paintings, drawings and engravings made by member of the Busuttil family, who had very strong links with Gozo. A commemorative exhibition covering the 20 years, in which Bishop Mons. Michael Gonzi headed the Gozo diocese, is being held at the Bishop’s Curia and an exhibition on Gozo Lace – Heritage and Identity, is being held at the Franciscan Sisters’ Convent in Palm Str., Victoria.

Mr Kevin Sciberras, Chairman of the Organising Committee of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana, said that: “Based on our experience of past editions, this year we are trying to create a programme for all the family, with innovative attractions while further developing the ‘notte’ concept. We have devised a jam-packed varied programme that is planned in such a way that our audience may enjoy every single bit of it.”

In the morning of 14 May the Notte Gozitana weekend officially kicks off with an activity for schoolchildren, organised by the Gozo College in Savina Square.

‘Music in the Air’, a spectacular show with music, dancing and an aerial aviation display which is being held from 8 p.m. onwards in Pope John Paul II Street, Victoria. Among those taking part are the Armed Forces of Malta Band, and dancing by the ballet corps of the Verona Theatre, led by choreographer and dancer Dorian Mallia.

At another location in Victoria, within the Citadel, Castle Gardens – An Eco-Cultural Festival is also being held on Friday and Saturday. The locations include the St Michael Bastion, the demi bastion behind the Cultural Centre and Triq il-Foss, with the participation of Delicata Winery and the Gozo Tourism Association.

The open space within the Victoria Bus Terminus will host two events presented by Dynamic Promotions, The Free Rock Festival on Friday and The Free Dance Festival on Saturday from 10 p.m. onwards. Special guests include Ira Losco live in concert, supported by Red Electric.

For the first time Gozo will host a live digital concert, presented by top radio DJs with a number of top Maltese artists including Tenishia, Bengy, Duncan F, Luc Adams, Mykill & Kevin the Bongo man, Miss Roberta and Carl Bee, supported by live instruments including bongo players, guitars, percussions and drums.

Two guided tours are being held on Saturday, 15 May, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A tour of the towers in Gozo and Comino by boat, in collaboration with Din l-Art Helwa, starts at Comino and proceeds to Mgarr ix-Xini ending with lunch at Dwejra. (A nominal fee will be charged only for this event). The second tour covers the convents in Victoria: the Capuchins’, St Francis, the Franciscan Sisters’ and ending with lunch at St Augustine’s.

There will be historic re-enactments throughout the day in the narrow streets of Victoria and the Citadel. At around 11 a.m. a Wings on Gozo aerial aviation display is being held, with the ideal viewing point being the Citadel. A lunchtime concert will start at 12.30 p.m. at the Gozo Cathedral.

From 8.00 to 10.30 p.m. an event with the theme ‘The Children’s Square’ includes animation built on Gozo’s legends, directed by Gorg Mizzi, and, from 9.30 p.m., highlights from the musical Il-Holma ta’ Guzeppi, put on by the Don Bosco Oratory.

Throughout the evening, along Republic Street, Victoria, the Gozo Experience will include the participation of all the 14 local councils in Gozo through individual stands. From 8 p.m. to midnight there will also be the ‘Il Borgo by Candlelight’, with animations by Tama Tnabar and the Leone Reale Sbandieratori from Sicily, along the narrow streets of Victoria, including Akkursju Xerri Street, San Gorg tal-Hagar and Carmel Street.

The main attraction will be held in Independence Square starting from 9.00 -11.30 p.m. with a programme by Favourite Channel, presented by Karl and Romina, consisting of a live band conducted by Mro Dominic Galea, six singers – Jade, Leontine, Ludwig Galea, Doreen Galea, Gigu and Olivia Lewis, fire-eating by Mario, Latin dancing by Pro Touch, illusions by Brian Role and Lola, and appearances by Gozitan artistes Miriam Christine and Francesca & Michaela.

On a separate stage, the Central Dance Academy is presenting highlights of The Unforgettable Dance Show at 10 p.m. Sigmund Mifsud and his Band are giving a 90-minute show starting at 11.00 p.m. A chill-out area in St George’s Square will see a performance by Chasing Pandora at 12.30 a.m.

The Notte Gozitana weekend ends with a Gozo Musical Tattoo on Sunday, 16 May, from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Boy Scouts and Boys’ Brigades Bands from Scout Groups from Hamrun, St Venera, Marsa, Mosta, Naxxar, Msida, Cospicua will leave from a number of different locations in Victoria, including St Francis and St Augustine squares, the Capuchins Friary, Pope John Paul II Street, Tac-Cawla and Fortunato Mizzi Street, and will proceed to Savina Square. From there, there will be a march past along Republic Street, ending with a fall out in Kennedy Square.

All these activities are open to the public and are free of charge. For more information phone 21556125 /21563556, e-mail info@gozoculture.com, visit the website www.gozoculture.com or join the Facebook group gozoculture.com.

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