The 40th edition of the Gozo Observer has recently been published by the University of Malta Gozo Campus and carries a number of feature articles, book reviews and other material relating to Gozo.

Professor Maurice Cauchi, in the editorial, draws attention upon the “mad scramble to build tall buildings” and proposes the planting of more trees as a possible counter effect on Gozo’s natural environment.

In this latest edition there are articles by Dr Joseph Galea, giving a detailed account of the cholera epidemic that hit our islands in 1837; by Professor Stanley Fiorini on the ‘The Capitula of Gozo’ from the dawn of the 15th century up to the arrival of the order; and by Dr Charles A. Gauci, Malta’s Chief Herald of Arms, about Gozo’s heraldry of the nobility and gentry.

The island of Gozo has lost three distinguished figures in recent months, all of whom contributed in their respective spheres both on a regional as well as on a national or international level.

Lino Briguglio pays tribute to Maestro Professor Joseph Vella, whose career in the musical sphere established him as “a highly successful composer and conductor.”

Prof. Briguglio also presents an appreciation about Tony Borg, mainly describing how his life was one of “continuous service to the Gozitans.”

Sergio Grech pays tribute to Pawlu Mizzi, a Gozitan whose endeavours within Malta’s publishing industry started in “a period when literature was in the closet. Through his efforts and with other book publishing companies …. Maltese language and literature were given a new vest.”

Readers can also peruse a number of book reviews. Professor Cauchi presents a review about the recently published book ‘A History of Gharb’ which he claims is ‘by far the most comprehensively illustrated, the most visually attractively laid out’ of similar attempts of informing readers on ‘what village life was all about.’ Prof. Cauchi, a well-known member of the Gozitan society, is also a prolific author.

His recent book, ‘The Making of a Medico – A Memoir’ is reviewed in this edition by Joseph Calleja, who also refers to Prof. Maurice Cauchi’s varied interests and his valuable contribution in these spheres.

Two books are reviewed by Geoffrey G. Attard, the first authored by the Gozitan poet Charles Bezzina ‘Mar-Ritmi tal-Bahar,’ which consists of an anthology of poems and the second authored by Dr Samuel Azzopardi titled ‘A Magna Maxima. Rabat Città Victoria’ which includes contributions by four Gozitan writers and academics, enhanced by Daniel Cilia’s exquisite photos.

Senior Administrator Joseph Calleja, gives a summary of the main activities held at the Gozo Campus in recent months.

The Gozo Observer can be accessed online by clicking here and requests for hard copies can be mailed to: The Administrator, University of Malta Gozo Campus, Mgarr Road, Xewkija or Tel: (+356) 21564559, (+356) 23407900.

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