Jum Ta’ Kercem celebrated & niche restoration inaugurated

Jum Ta’ Kercem, organised by the Kercem Local Council, was celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, in Kercem on Saturday.

The Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, attended the occasion which commemorated Mother Margherita Debrincat, who was born in Kercem and was the founder of the order of the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus.

Kercem Ajax Football Club was also recognised for the sporting honours it had earned for the locality of Kercem.

Also on Saturday, the inauguration took place of the niche of the Carmelite Madonna in Kercem, which has recently undergone embellishment work. The niche, which is situated in Triq Qasam San Gorg was inaugurated by the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono.

The work was carried out by the Kercem Local Council in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo, the Local Councils Department and Wirt Ghawdex.

During the inauguration The Minister for Gozo, said that “this is another event which demonstrates the commitment of the Kercem Local Council in relation to the protection and conservation of the historical and cultural heritage of its locality.” The Minister added that despite the small size of the island of Gozo, the localities are endowed with historic sites and features that further add to the natural attractions of the island.

The Gozo Minister said that the Kercem Local Council was awarded these funds under two schemes of the eco-Gozo Action Plan 2010-2012 to the sum of €65,000 as part of this and other schemes.

The Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family, Chris Said was also present for the inauguration and explained how this project was just one of a number of that had been underataken by the Council over the last few years.

Minister Said recalled how over the past five years the Government had substantially increased the financial allocation to local councils each year, to an average of €30 million a year and had also created a number of different schemes that local councils have been able to apply for, to the benefit of the localities and communities within them.

“As of a result of this, there are now beautiful and cleaner location across the island and more residents are aware of their historical and cultural heritage,” Minister Said concluded.