Christmas celebrations will be officially opened this Saturday in Gozo – It’s Christmas Time, organised by the Ministry for Gozo – making the island a truly magical place to spend time during the festive period.

Christmas events in Gozo take place in every village on the island, with something for all ages to enjoy. The programme of over 100 activities, organisedincludes concerts, living and static cribs, exhibitions, Christmas Fairs, pageants and much more…..

Strolling around the old streets of Victoria, or indeed any of the villages on the island, passers-by will find that many of the residents proudly open their doors and shutters for everyone to enjoy their beautiful displays of Christmas decorations and cribs.

The Ministry for Gozo said that the evening will see the merging of science and art, highlighting the traditional through technology and delivering an audience experience as unique as the island itself.

“Although Gozo has become a sought-after destination all year round, we still want Christmas festivities to retain their prominence,” said Dr Justyne Caruana, Minister for Gozo.

She added that, “Gozo’s Christmas programme is a tribute to all those organisations who tirelessly work towards cultural activities all year round, especially in Christmas.”

To get the festive spirit off to a great start at 8.00pm on Saturday there will be Christmas Carols performed by local children’s choirs, including Saint Anthony of Padova Choir, Aurora Youth Choir, Chorus Urbanus Junior, Schola Cantorum Jubilate Children’s Choir and Santa Clara Choir.

Joining the local choirs is the renowned AllegroModerato Orchestra, a social cooperative started in Milan in 2011 which trains children, teens and adults with physical, mental or social difficulties in musical and artistic expression.

The world-famous Alfina Fresta, a young Sicilian lyrical singer with cerebral palsy, will join the orchestra and choirs with her rendition of classical Christmas wonders.

Minister for Gozo Dr Justyne Caruana will be present for the opening of the Christmas festivities.

The evening will kick off the start of the Christmas season, marked by the traditional switching on of Christmas lights. Signifying the good of this world, life and hope, Christmas light innovations have come far from the candles placed on trees and Edward Johnson’s very first string of Christmas lights in 1882.

This year, a 3D mapping show set against the iconic Banca Giuratale will set off all Christmas lights warming up all of Gozo’s streets.

The Christmas programme of events in Gozo will continue until Sunday, the 5th of January and details can be found on the official Christmas in Gozo facebook page or see the Visit Gozo website

Everyone is invited to go along and help get the Christmas in Gozo festivities off to a great start and partake of free mulled wine or hot chocolate and festive delicacies.

The event will be held under a tent for coverage in case of inclement weather.

File Photograph by Alain Salvary

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