The Ghaqda Muzikali San Girgor of Kercem will be organising the second edition of Festubru – a festival addressed to all the family, between Friday, the 1st, and Sunday, the 3rd of October, 2010. The event will be held at the most picturesque valley in the Maltese Islands, Lunzjata Valley, just on the borders of Victoria and Kercem.

After the huge success of the first edition, held last October, the Organising Committee is again presenting a full programme of activities and attractions directly linked with tradition.

The three-day activity will open with guided tours on Friday morning for school children who will be given a full presentation of the natural and historical heritage of the valley and its surroundings. In the evening, folk music will embellish the atmosphere of the opening of the traditional Tverna – the popular meeting place of locals, whilst being served with traditional foods and wine. At the same time a group of Gozitan poets and authors will be sharing their literature and prose amongst themselves and the general public.

The climax of the event will be reached on Saturday which will open with an informative tour around the valley, this time directed towards an adult audience. At sunset, a magical sensation will engulf the valley with hundreds of fjakkli (traditional torches). A historical re-enactment will follow presenting a military parade accompanying Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful and his entourage which will easily blend with the surrounding particularly linked with the Order of St. John. The Centre Stage Academy will set up a spectacle of dance and music followed by the Astra Folk Group specialising in traditional dance and folkloristic music. At the same time several traditional ghannejja will be presenting traditional songs accompanied by guitars and other instruments.

On Sunday, traditional game will open the agenda – Il-Brilli – as well as an activity organised by the Vers Aghtini focussing on local dialects and traditional music. At noon, a traditional dinner will be served specialising in Gozitan dishes and cuisine. In the afternoon, a show of birds of prey will be held, especially the Maltese Falcon, particularly linked with Lunzjata valley. The festival will end with traditional folk music by a local folk group.

This three-day activity will also include various attractions and exhibitions featuring farming tools and animals used by our forefathers. An interesting attraction will be the production of Gozitan cheeslets and wool weaving. Local fresh products and preservatives will be available at the place. The fascinating Lunzjata Chapel will be open throughout the three days where mass will be celebrated.

This festival is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo in line with Eco-Gozo within the said Ministry. The general public will have the opportunity to appreciate Gozo in its natural state. It is notable that the Ghaqda Muzikali San Girgor and the Ministry for Gozo will be addressing an educational campaign especially towards young children to promote the natural, historic and cultural heritage of Gozo.

For more information please visit www.BandaSanGirgor.org or follow us on Facebook at Festubru or help desk 99246047 / festubru@bandasangirgor.org.

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