Festa ta' Kemmuna – Traditional Comino Feast dedicated to Saint Mary, is taking place next week, Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th of August, organised by the Ghajnsielem Local Council, The Ministry for Gozo, and Silvio Vella.

First Day – Friday 19''' August 2016 Traditional Maltese Evening

For the second edition of Comino feast, the organisers wanted to offer visitors the unique experience of how, in the past, the Comino Feast used to be celebrated.

More than forty years ago, the traditional feast dinner and the outdoor feast celebration used to be celebrated in the area called The Village situated near the Comino Tower. For this reason, the traditional feast dinner and outdoor activities, is this year being organised in the square of this village.

The outside decorations are going to be the original antique ones that were used in the past, therefore offering a special and unique experience of times gone by.

The organisers said that apart from this the traditional feast dinner will consist of food related to Comino, basically rabbit and pork, cooked according to recipes found in Comino. There will also be food and drinks stalls. A popular Gozitan band will entertain with Maltese and foreign music. Something for everyone to enjoy.

Second Day – 20th August 2016 Religious Feast

The religious feast of this year will take place in a special way for two reasons: after a lapse of many years the procession will be accompanied by a band. Also – the statue of St. Mary after it was taken to Gozo for restoration, will be returned to Comino.

On Saturday the programme starts at 6.00pm both in Comino and in Mgarr Gozo. The statue will leave Mgarr Gozo in a pilgrimage with the boats for Comino and at the same time, in Comino, the St. Joseph Band of Ghajnsielem will march in the direction towards Saint Mary's quay to welcome the statue in Comino.

At this point the organisers are inviting all those with boats to accompany the statue in the pilgrimage across to the island. After the arrival of the statue, there will be prayers and blessing of the boats. Later, the St. Joseph band will accompany the statue in a procession from Santa Mary's quay to the church, where a solemn Mass will be celebrated outside the front of the church.

Following the Mass the external activities will continue with another Gozitan band to entertain the public. Food and drink stalls will be available.

Detailed programme Festa Ta' Kemmuna 2016

Friday 19. August 2016

Transport by boats will be available from: Mgarr harbour (In front of the Terminal), Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay in Qala Gozo, Marfa Malta (from the old quay) and Cirkewwa Malta (behind the kiosk). The time of departure will be every half an hour from 9.00am onwards. Return to the same places will be provided till the end of the activity.

11.00am – 9.00pm: Activities at Comino. Tower. For the occasion of this feast, Din I.-Art Helwa is extending the opening hours of the tower so that they can offer a great experience to all those visiting.

Between 7.00pm and 9.00pm there will be a historical reenactment produced by Compagnia San Michele. This 17th century representation will take us back to the times of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt who was responsible for the building of Comino Tower. There will also be an explanation on arms and weapons and activities for children.

7.00prn: Opening of the Comino feast 2016, at the village square. Food and drink stalls together with Maltese and foreign music will be there throughout the evening. Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy with us even those who are not attending the traditional feast dinner.

8.00pm: The traditional feast dinner. This dinner will consist of 3 course meal. First plate consisting of traditional Maltese food, second plate a choice between two types of pasta plates and the third plate will be a choice horn traditional rabbit stew or pork, and ending up with fruit.

The price will include a choice of a free drink between, beer, glass of wine, soft drink or bottle of water. It is very important that those interested will book their tickets in advance as places are limited.

For more information and for dinner bookings, please call on mobile numbers 79477354 or 99857727. Live concert by the popular Gozitan band Cash & Band. They will entertain the public for the whole evening with a repertoire, entrance is free.

Saturday 20. August 2016

Transport by boats will be available from: Mgarr Gozo (in front of the Terminal), Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay in Qala Gozo,Matfa Malta (from the old quay) and Cirkewwa Malta (behind the kiosk). The time of departure will be every half an hour from 9.00am onwards. Return to the same places will be provided till the end of the activity.

10.30am – 8.00pm: Activities at Comino Tower. For the occasion of this feast, Din L-An Helwa is extending the opening hours of the tower so that they can offer a great experience to all those visiting.

Between 10.30am and 6.00pm there will be a historical re-enactment produced by Compagnia San Michele. This 17th century representation will take us back to the times of Grand Master Alof de Wignacoun who was responsible for the building of Comino Tower. There will also be an explanation on arms and weapons and activities for children.

6.00pm: Departure of the statue from Mgarr Gozo in a pilgrimage with the boats for Comino. During the crossing between Mgarr Gozo and Comino, there will be the blessing of the boats on sea.

6.00prn: St. Joseph Band of Ghajnsielem will perform along the roads of Comino in the direction towards Saint Mary's quay to welcome the statue in Comino.

6.30pm: The arrival of Saint Mary's statue on Saint Mary's quay. On arrival there will be prayers and the ceremony of the blessing of the boats present at Saint Mary's Bay. After, there will be a procession to the church accompanied by St. Joseph Band.

7.00pm: A solemn Mass will be celebrated outside in front of the church, in honour of Saint Mary.

8.30pm: The beginning of the external feast activity with food and drinks stalls and Maltese and foreign music throughout the evening.

9.00pm: Live concert by another popular Gozitan band D Capital's that will entertain the public throughout the evening with a repertoire of the best Maltese and foreign music. Entrance is free and everyone is invited.

12.00am: The closure of Comino Feast 2016

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