The first anniversary since its inauguration is being celebrated by Il-Hagar | Heart of Gozo Museum, in St George’s Square Victoria, with a series of events on Saturday, the 22nd and Sunday, the 23rd of February (the anniversary day).

To mark the occasion the museum will be open free of charge to visitors on Saturday, the 22nd and Sunday, the 23rd of February.

As part of the celebrations, the Museum and cultural centre is organising a temporary collective exhibition of Gozitan landscapes.

The exhibition has on display works by the contemporary artists: Anthony Caruana, Christopher Saliba, George Scicluna, Jörg Böttcher, Justin Falzon, Maria Cassar, Mark Sagona, Paul Stellini, Rachel Galea, Toni Mizzi, Umberto Buttigieg, Victor Agius and Vincent Caruana.

These artists currently reside in Gozo, some are Gozitans from birth; others have made Gozo their adoptive country. Their Gozitan depictions are not only artistic views of an idyllic sister island but these are also underpinned by a deep sense of attachment and belonging.

More than simple impressions, these works are visual experiences of the artists’ first-hand encounter with the beauty of Gozo, the intensity of its sun, the dynamicity of its climate, the silent void of its fertile countryside, the tranquillity of its villages, the charm of its close knit city centre…..they are portraying a piece of home.

Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to experience a dynamic fusion of diverse styles, media and interpretations of the Gozitan scenery and character: from the vivid, bright coloured bold shaped representations to the more organic looking, expressive interpretations of the Gozitan landscapes, from the romantic views to the crude and also to pessimistic perceptions of Gozo.

The weekend of celebrations gets underway with the Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria’s Annual General Meeting on Friday, the 21st of February at 6.30pm at the museum. Fr Charles Cini SDB will offer a gift to mark the occasion.

Masses on Saturday, the 22nd of February at St George’s Basilica are being offered for the needs of benefactors, living and dead.

At 10.30am on Saturday, Prof Stanley Fiorini will be delivering a lecture, ‘Medieval Gozo: The Identity of an Island’ at Il-Hagar | Heart of Gozo Museum. Following this at noon, a collective Exhibition, ‘Heart of Gozo – Scenes of an island,’ will be officially opened.

On Sunday, the first anniversary of the museum, Coordinating Curator and Founder Mgr Joseph Farrugia will be celebrating thanksgiving Mass at St George’s Basilica at 11.00am, with the participation of Laudate Pueri Choir. This will be followed by a luxury Luncheon Buffet at the Hotel Ta’ Cenc, starting at 1pm, for which booking is essential, by email on info@heartofgozo.org.mt or by phone on 21557504-

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