Reputedly boasting good weather, early November is referred to by many as ‘Is-Sajf ta’

San Martin’ (St Martin’s Summer). On this occasion, the Gozo Cultural Council presented a weekend of events ranging from music, tours, gastronomy and exhibitions, taking as its theme the numerous street niches which adorn and enhance the characteristic folkloristic environment very much alive around the island of Gozo.

Aptly named ‘Festa Nicec’ (Feast of Niches), the programme highlighted these ‘little street chapels’ while bringing out their cultural, folkloristic and artistic aspects so that they may be better appreciated by contemporary society. The programme includes events spread in all localities around Gozo.

Music, song and dance featured in an event held near the newly restored niche of Jesus the Saviour in Fontana on Thursday, while the niche of Il-Madonna tac-Cicri in ¯ebbug served as backdrop to an evening of music, literature and dance on Friday. A lunchtime concert on Saturday featured the Island Brass Band at the Citadel’s ancient entrance near the niche of St Anne, while yesterday, traditional ghana will be sung near the niche of St Publius in Xewkija.

Three tours were organised during this weekend of activities, including a tour specifically intended for school children to visit the niches found in their school’s locality.

A photo exhibition, entitled An Aureole of Niches by French photographer Luc Arden was opened at the Banca Giuratale in Victoria. The exhibition will run until 30 November.

Yet the highlights to these four days of events was the re-enactment of a Gozitan medieval wedding and the traditional Festa tan-Nicca as celebrated up to 30 years ago.

Festa Nicec was organised by the Gozo Cultural Council within the Ministry for Gozo with the support of the Ministry of Finance – National Lotteries Good Causes Fund.