Customers who visited Bank of Valletta’s Gozo branch on 24 May found a very different environment awaiting them. The team at BOV’s Gozo Branch, led by Jack Thewma, had taken the initiative to transform the banking hall into a live exhibition of typical Gozitan crafts and traditions. This event formed part of the activities organised during the third BOV Gozo Week.

“This is the third consecutive year that we have organised a Gozo Week, underlining the importance that Bank of Valletta gives to the Gozitan community,” said Mr Thewma when he was welcoming BOV chairman Roderick Chalmers and chief executive officer Tonio Depasquale, who paid a visit to the branch and had the opportunity to meet the bank’s Gozitan employees and customers.

People in traditional costumes demonstrated various traditional crafts including lace-making, the production of cane curtains known as hasira and handmade straw hats. A woman wearing the traditional ghonnella also added to the typical traditional environment that was created.

Another attractive and colourful feature was the extensive display of typical Gozitan food, including fruit and vegetables, Gozo’s traditional biscuits, cheeselets, and dried tomatoes among others.

Mr Thewma said that the exhibition of Gozitan crafts and traditions during the BOV Gozo Week was not only intended to provide a special customer experience but also showed the importance that the bank, as an active member of the

community, gives to the promotion of Gozo’s unique characteristics.