The 9th edition of the Gozo Ceramics Festival has been launched by Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri.

During the launch he also inaugurated an exhibition at the Cittadella Cultural Centre Hall 2 called ‘Ceramic Art Collective,’ in which 15 artists are exhibiting their ceramic art. This is open until the 26th of August between 9am and 5pm.

This exhibition is showing the versatility of clay as a medium of artistic expression by some of the renowned local artists along with new talent in the contemporary ceramic art scene.

The participants in this exhibition, along with other clay artists and artisans, sculptors and craftsmen who use clay as their artistic medium, will all exhibit their works in public during the Gozo Ceramics Festival which will be staged on the 7th of August between 5.00pm and 10:30pm on the main street of Xlendi Bay.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri said that, “Xlendi has become synonymous with the ceramics festival, the only one held in the Maltese Islands. In fact, the Gozo Ceramics Festival has become part of Gozo’s cultural calendar and attracts a large number of Maltese, Gozitans and tourists.”

He went on to say that those who visit this festival will be able to follow the different processes used, see the complexity of ceramic production, and appreciate the many different stages that a ceramic work must go through until they are presented as-finished works of art.

Four foreign ceramic artists will join the local artists in order to give this festival an international dimension. The artists are very enthusiastic and said that it will be a pleasure for them to explain and answer any questions from the public.

Children will be given the opportunity to get their hands dirty by painting on ceramics, work with clay and take part in other activities so that while being creative, they will learn more about ceramics.

The Minister explained that there will also be a section where the children will make a ceramic tile for a mural entitled ‘Nature’ and they will be guided in making their impressions to produce a tile that will form a mural that will be permanently installed in a prominent place in Xlendi.

During this Festival, Xlendi by will be illuminated and decorated with flags for the occasion, as well as the magical fjakkolata when hundreds of torch lights, and candles will be lit around the bay

Musical entertainment during the evening will be provided by Michel Refalo and Tal-Fuklar Folk Group.

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