Students from Form 2 of all Secondary Schools in Gozo attended a series of activities held on Tuesday, at the Villa Rundle Gardens, organised by the Europe Direct Information Centre – Victoria Gozo in collaboration with the European Commission Representation in Malta.

The event, which was held to mark the occasion of Europe Day on the 9th of May, was opened by Michael Galea, President of the Gozo Business Chamber, who spoke on his experiences, both professional and personal, on the importance of languages. He was followed by Diane Spiteri, acting head of European Commission Representation in Malta, who said that the more new languages you learn, the more creative you will be. She also spoke on the creative solution presented by Robert Schumann to stop the European countries from fighting among themselves and how he announced this plan on the 9th May 1950 – a date which today is celebrated as Europe Day, since this gave birth to the European Union.

Each of the schools then gave presentations in different European languages which were followed by traditional Maltese and Spanish Flamenco dancing by folklore groups, an interactive quiz based on EU knowledge and games, finishing up with Maltese songs by Spiro Sillato.

H.E. Mons. Joe Vella Gauci, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate for UNESCO, delivered the closing address in which he spoke on diversity which exists in Europe linguistically, culturally and religiously. He also mentioned several facts and curiosities about Europe.

To conclude the event, all present enjoyed samples of traditional food from different European countries.

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