Gozo has worked hard to prepare itself for this weekend’s Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana with all service providers geared up for what is expected to be an influx of visitors. Hotels have registered a fully-booked situation with the self-catering accommodation outlets also registering a constant flow of bookings. This boom in tourism activity is happening during what would have been an otherwise relatively calm weekend for the tourism industry in Gozo.
This was stated yesterday by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, as she toured sites that will be serving as main stages during the weekend’s events, together with Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.
Ministers Debono and Zammit Dimech visited sites where the six stages will be set up – in Sabina Square, Independence Square, St George’s Square, St Augustine Square, St Francis Square and Republic Street crossroads. The six sites will be offering the public a wide variety of cultural activities, including different musical genres for the enjoyment of audiences of all ages.
She said that besides the organisation of the event on an artistic and cultural level, Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana necessitated a full logistical approach that included coordination of several services that served to enhance “the Gozo experience”.
Minister Debono thanked all those who will be working extra hours to make Gozo more accessible and a safe destination while crowd-pulling events took place around the main town. Speaking specifically about the transport arrangements, Minister Debono referred to the special transport services connecting seven localities in Malta with Cirkewwa for Saturday evening, with return trips for early Sunday morning for the benefit of those travelling from Malta to Gozo on Saturday, including the provision of shuttle ferry services by Gozo Channel, against a reduced ferry fare.
These are being complemented by other special public transport schedules that leave all villages in Gozo, including Mgarr Harbour, Marsalforn and Xlendi, to Victoria and back throughout the night. These arrangements are being organised for the public to make more use of public transport and therefore avoid the need to travel with their own car to Victoria.
Dr Zammit Dimech said that in its tourism plans, the government was giving special attention to Gozo, which was being promoted as a destination in its own right, with its characteristics and culture and with special sectors such as the diving segment.
Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana will be held from today to Sunday in Victoria and the Citadel. It is being organised by the Gozo Ministry and the Tourism and Culture Ministry, sponsored by the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund – Finance Ministry, Bank of Valletta, Air Malta and Gozo Channel Company Limited and supported by the Victoria Local Council, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Gozo Tourism Association and BPC.
The full programme of events is available online at www.
gozoculture.com. For further information, one should call on tel.: 2155-9832, or contact the organising team via email to: [email protected].
Gozo airs its spring fair
The Ninu Cremona Lyceum Complex in Victoria will be organising the seventh annual spring fair in the school premises on Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Stalls will be selling new and second-hand books, plants, accessories, traditional and health food, antiques and electronics.
The Gozo Spirit Combat Club will give a demonstration at 10am. Young children will be entertained with a Ronald MacDonald magic show at 11am, followed by face-painting sessions at the bouncy castle and pony rides. The Gozo Philatelic Association will also be present.
Various competitions will be held during the day, including an U-12 football tournament and Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii tournaments. A remote control car competition will be held at noon.
At the Hobby Corner, students will put up stalls demonstrating their pastime activities and works. Gozitan artist Christopher Saliba will give an art demonstration at 11.30am. Between 9am and 11am children will bring their pets to a designated corner. Pets will be blessed at 9.30am. The school band will perform at various intervals during the fair.
Various sessions in subjects that include science, home economics, physical activities and computers will be held to familiarise students who next year will be joining the school with the environment.
These activities are being held as part of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana at Victoria.
Further information can be obtained on tel.: 2155-9832, by email to [email protected] or from the website: www.gozoculture.com.
Tenori concert to be held at Gozo Ministry
The concert by the three British tenors of international acclaim, Tenori, will be held at the Ministry for Gozo tomorrow at 7pm. Tenori, who will be accompanied on the piano by Mro John Galea, were previously announced to be performing at the Aurora Opera House.
Tickets for the Tenori concert are now selling at one price of Lm5.50. Persons who have already bought tickets for the original price of Lm7.50 and Lm9.50 will get a refund.
The three tenors will be singing, solo and ensemble, popular music excerpts, including Funiculi Funicula, Tonight, Maria, Che gelida manina from La Boheme, Granada, Caruso, and O sole mio.
The Tenori concert is being held as part of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana at Victoria.
Further information can be obtained on tel.: 2155-9832, by email to: events@gozoculture.
com or from the website: www.gozoculture.com.