The Committee for National and Regional Celebrations within the Ministry for Gozo in collaboration with the Xaghra Local Council organised a joint commemorative ceremony on Thursday morning, to commemorate the four Maltese victims who died during the 7th June 1919 riots.

During these riots, which were caused by the fact that the British Government did not want to give a new Constitution to the Maltese and the price of local bread has risen considerably, four Maltese died. These were Karmenu Abela, Wenzu Dyer, Manwel Attard and Guzeppi Bajada who was from Xaghra.

The ceremony started with the celebration of Holy Mass at the Collegiate Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady at 9.00am. Mass was presided by Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo and was animated by organist Ivan Attard.

Children from the Gozo College Xaghra Primary participated and at the end of Mass, a booklet ‘Is-Sebgha ta’ Gunju 1919′ was distributed to the children present. This book was written by Dr. Aaron Attard Hili on an initiative by this Committee with the aim of giving more information about the national feast days of our country.

Present for the ceremony were Mrs. Lina Refalo, wife of the Minister for Gozo Anton Refalo, Mr Kevin Sciberras, Head of the Culture Department and Mgr Joe Vella Gauci, President of the Committee for National and Regional Celebrations within the Ministry for Gozo.

A commemorative ceremony followed, with the laying of wreaths in front of Guzeppi Bajada’s monument in the lower part of Bullara Street.

Xaghra Mayor Joe Cordina, councilors Dr. Joseph Attard LLD, Maria Grima and the Executive Secretary Mark Formosa were present on behalf of the Xaghra Local Council.

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