‘Jazz Do’ 2014 2nd Edtion: Taking place this Saturday at Mgarr Harbour

Oh good.
I was starting to worry that there wasn’t already enough noise – or sufficient traffic – at Mgarr harbour.
“The perfect setting for music lovers”… what a load of balderdash.

Misery guts It starts at 20.30 hrs. What traffic is around then? This beats the sound of shotguns blasting at 05.30 in the morning. Let us be grateful for some pleasant sounds.

What a mess Gozo is turning into. Pretty soon it will no longer be Gozo. Sad but true. Body painting at Ramla?

Pretty soon Gozo will no longer be Gozo because its changing into other countries traditions

What a shame that it clashes with the Festa week activities in Xaghra. As for Gozo turning into a mess; absolute rubbish again. And that’s what is damaging it rubbish!

I’m looking forward to it. Mgarr is not really a residential area and if it brings a little extra business for the restaurants and bars surely that’s a good thing for Gozo. As soon as you have tourists you are influenced by the cultures of others, and with the internet it’s impossible not to be part of a larger world. Gozo’s certainly not a mess.

I agree and if I was not attending Xaghra’s Festa I too would be there.
Gozo is only a ‘mess’ due to the amount of rubbish left lying around.
Some people, including those who have not lived here for years, would have Gozo still using horse and carts (though some are still used). Those who criticise from afar also seem to have difficulty in understanding that those who live here need to make a living, enjoy their lives and be cognisant of the world beyond their waters.

I think it is fantastic, this weekend we have the festa in Xaghra, a jazz concert in Mgarr and the ‘arts’ do in Ramla. Not too shabby for a population of 37000.

Gozo, stick to Maltese activities and stop turning Gozo into activities that are not Maltese

Not forgetting the Sunscape Festival at Xlendi 🙂

Oops! Just seen the venue has been changed to Ramla 🙂

This is so unfair to people who are near Mgarr and don’t like the sound of jazz. Gozo should remain a place of peace, especially for people who chose to retire there. All this will lead to is Gozo turning into what Malta is now.

How do you know it’s unfair? Again, from America you make assumptions. You make comments in ignorance of the facts and what other people want. However, I think the planning is wrong given the number of people coming over from Malta for the Festa here, especially as it is the last long weekend before schools start again.

This is how it all starts. They want to attract more tourists and more people over to Gozo. Gozo is overcrowded as it is. Why don’t they figure out how they are going to deal with all that car pollution that is only going to double by promoting Gozo. Pollution is the number one issue they should deal wth first because its making everyone sick. People who live there tell me that everyday they have to clean the inside of their house from the pollution that comes in from cars everyday. Mick, you keep talking like I don’t have my home there. I’m well aware of whats going on and I think its stupid to promote the island and put it on the map when its overcrowded. overbuilt and there is already a great deal of car pollution. The end result will only kill tourism. You say I’m ignorant? I know the facts here.

What about the indigenous population of Gozo who might like to listen to a bit of live jazz? At least they could have a bit of pleasure before they choke to death on car fumes or die of exhaustion from cleaning their homes. Preserving people in aspic in pursuit of some romantic golden age is ridiculous.

I still cannot understand how they want to keep advertising Gozo asking for more tourists when its overcrowded and there are way too many cars, long lines and noise. This advertisement in the long run will only kill tourism.

Eliza you have missed giving us all your factual, incisive and unbiased lecture on the cart racing in Ghajnsielem today…
As to the Jazz-do , we went, a small but appreciative mature crowd, restaurants and bars doing good business and you could not hear the music across the street.
The biggest noise (and pollution) came from the traffic to and from the ferry, Maltese and Gozitans going about their business, but I suppose you would think using a tal-latini would be better for us.

L-Imgarr m’hemmx residenti. Dan kien post adekwat ghal jazz festival. Jien mort u hadt piacir u wara hemm mort ix-Xaghra u kien hemm festa Sabieha.
Gawdejt it-tnejn. Ma nistax nifhem ghaliex dan id-dgergir. Grazzi lill-organizzaturi tal-jazz festival u prosit Iil organizzaturi tal-festa tax-Xaghra.

Grateful for all the activities held in Gozo it needs all the business it can get kudos to all involved if I want peace and quite I shut my door or windows if need be and stay in .Why not body painting why not jazz at Mgarr changing Gozo i hope so its 2014 .

Eliza, you say Gozo & Malta are over crowded and there are too many cars yet you choose to live in New York.
There are 69,000 people per square mile in Manhattan compared with 4,000 per square mile in Malta and 800 in Gozo.
There are in excess of 10,000,000 cars registered in NYC and around 320,000 in Malta.

I suggest you turn your attention to NYC!

Unfortunately some people will not be swayed by facts.

For people who don’t like the sound of jazz, I think its not fair that they have to listen to it when waiting for the ferry at Imgarr or coming off the ferry. Gozo should remain peaceful and quiet. If people want to play music, thats what clubs are for

One cannot compare Gozo to New York. Why one would prefer to live in New York rather than on Gozo is beyond me. And then have the cheek to comment about life here!! Eliza when were you last here? 25 years ago is it? Gozo is not polluted as you say. And there was you saying a while ago that you would listen to singers in the park???

Eliza, please post your comments on the New York Times and not here. Let us enjoy our bit of social life which is very limited in our beloved Gozo. Once you come to live here, your comments would be welcome as I am sure you will have a different outlook.

Ok, from what I hear today from someone who has recently been to Gozo, is that Malta and Gozo has gotten so bad that you are unable to recognise it anymore. This is the exact words that came out of the persons mouth. So Maltese people, please stick to our traditions and preserve them from becoming extinct

Eliza I will tell you exactly what Gozo is like and I go there every year so I know what I’m talking about. Gozo is a beautiful little island which has so far escaped the worst of the development that is spoiling the look of Malta itself. It is very quiet and laid back in comparison to the main island and I can assure you if there was a jazz night on whilst I was visiting I would be there. You still find people who leave their keys in their doors in case someone wants to drop in and if you walk through the villages at night you will find the ladies sitting outside their houses or in their garages in little groups doing lace work and having a good old gossip. I have been all over the world Eliza and the Gozitan people are the friendliest and most helpful people I have ever met. In short Gozo is in my opinion is a little piece of heaven on earth and it’s important that we do everything we can to protect it rather than running it down the way you do all the time. Can I suggest you take a little holiday sometime and find out what you are talking about?

Agreed James and quite frankly I am surprised that one who purports to ‘know’ and ‘love’ Gozo so much continually puts it down. My association with Malta and Gozo goes back 36 years and Gozo remains very much the way it was then, apart from some obvious, essential and necessary improvements. Mind you it’s so easy to criticise from a distance.

I surrender!

I know, it’s like banging one’s head against a wall. That’s it then because one person has exaggerated their perception of the island. Who are we who only live here to argue? However, I am sure that Eliza will be pleased to read that the Maltese custom of sending up petards (murtali) is still being preserved, particularly here on this weekend.

Doesn’t the penny ever drop for you guys. eLiza (with a zee) is winding you up – Leg pulling, MICK taking and having a good laugh. Bless her.

chris.

You may reckon that but there is a history to this.

Yes Chris, I have often thought that, it seems the only logical explanation!

Very well said chris !!

Don’t tell me it’s been you all this time Chris!!

Actually I tend to agree with Chris. If you people ignore her then Gozo will keep going with it’s perfect life, Chris is right she is winding everybody up. I seem to remember a very good article here about the stupid priority boarding of Gozo ferries. This was going to be a very good forum to discuss. But as Chris said she managed to turn this subject and rubbishing airmalta and even the signal painting on the ground got up her nose. Please ignore her and let’s keep Gozo going the way it is

Everything I said came from a person who is 100% Maltese and was in Gozo a short time ago.

Bless you too, Chris. I can really fire up a board that has been boring. Unfortunately though, everything I said was true based on many different Maltese peoples respnses who have been living in Malta during the 60s and 70s. They’re all telling me the same thing. Malta had alot of sophistication and charm when it was under British rule and thats a fact.

Another example is I came across an article a few days ago about how successful the program has been so far that allows people to purchase Maltese citizenships. According to the article, many people ar purchasing Maltese citizenship. This is not only terrible but dangerous for Malta and the EU. How can the EU allow this?

Eliza….shall we stick to the Jazz Festival subject? Why jump off to citizenship?
1/ What is there to gain?
2/ What is your agenda?

Everyone should be concerned by this and protesting because its a dangerous move to Malta and the EU.

ELIZA are you serious. What do you mean by saying ‘ Everyone should be concerned by this and protesting because its a dangerous move to Malta and the EU ‘, because of enjoying an evening of Jazz in Gozo ???

Can someone tell us when the law will be enforced on traffic speed, noise and fumes pollution , mainly in Gozo? The law seems to be more concerned about seat belts than any thing else.

Well, this is about the Jazz Festival but to answer your question, never. As for enforcing seat belt legislation, you just got to be joking!!! What we have seen out here and on Malta beggars belief!!!

I see little concern from the authorities as the islands road users appear to ignore all ‘rules of the road’ endangering their own lives, the lives of others and sadly, I must conclude that their beautiful children are unloved and uncared for. The transportation of children without proper restraint is nothing less than abuse.

The Jazz Festival was a great initiative.