Dawra Durella Folk Fest: 4-day festival entertains large crowds at San Lawrenz

by Gozo News · October 19, 2014

Dawra Durella Folk Fest comes to an end today at San Lawrenz, this 4.day festival has been organised by Gozo’s Ta’ Cangura – San Lawrenz folk group, who this year celebrate their 10th anniversary.

The folk festival with a difference, themed ‘Living Culture by Sharing Identities,’ includes a very interesting exhibition of traditional objects and old photos at the San Lawrenz Parish Centre. Dawra Durella Folk Fest: 4-day festival entertains large crowds at San Lawrenz Other activities included lectures and cultural tours through the through the narrow and winding streets of San Lawrenz village while they witnessed live reenactments of trades from the past.

These trades included: Il-buttar(Pottery maker), il-qalfat (cane making),l-iskultur tal-gebel (stone sculpture), Bizzilla (lace making),is- sajjied (fisherman trade), il-Haddied (blacksmith), il-bidwi (farmer) and others

There was a celebration of folk music and dancing on Saturday evening with the participation of Ta’ Cangura Folk Group (adults, youths and children’s groups), Jackson’s Zaqq u Tanbur Folk Group, Sinnet Folk Group-Sannat, Mnarja Folk Group-Nadur, Paul Curmi Dance Company and Greenfields.

The reintroduction of the San Lawrenz Traditional Kummittiva dance, after an absence of more than 40 years, was the highlight of this show which was enjoyed by a large and appreciative crowd. The show was presented by Mr Charles Saliba.

Today, following the Thanksgiving Mass at San Lawrenz parish church there is a traditional 3-course meal where visitors have the opportunity to eat and experience Maltese food prepared with the traditional cooking methods of our ancestors.

This busy weekend will be concluded with the launching of a book about traditional games for children (Passju, Dawra Durella, Iz-zunzana ddur ddur, Xixi, Brilli, Ballun stop), as well as organised games for children.

The Folk Fest was co-financed by the Rural Development Programme for Malta 2007 – 2013 (a Project co-financed by the European Union’s Agricultural Fund for Rural Development – 80% and the Government of Malta – 20%) as part of the EU’s policy to invest in the potential of rural areas.