As a family, together with our relatives, Gozitan friends, and I’m sure Maltese visitors and tourists as well, we would like to thank the person or persons responsible for depriving everyone of a wonderful and exciting variety of entertainment that take place in Xlendi, part of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which includes the famous traditional gostra – the greasy pole.

Last Sunday, as soon as the rumours spread that the games were not being held, Xlendi Bay became a deserted place.

We hope that whoever is responsible has a clear conscience knowing that his/their rumourmongering has interrupted long years, over 50 years, of traditional events that take place in Xlendi year after year.

Is this how we intend to keep our beloved island’s traditions alive? Is this how we instil in the hearts of our young generation a love for all that is Gozitan? Is this how we attract local and foreign tourism?

With a heavy heart we feel that there is no excuse for failing us all and we do hope that this is not the beginning of the end.

A Gozitan family

XLENDI