The Qala local council has just published Folklore in the Maltese Islands. Alfred Ellul Galea delivered a short but comprehensive appreciation of the book. Other short talks were presented by Euchar Mizzi (editor of the publication), Paul Buttigieg (mayor of Qala) and Dr Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for the Consumer, Just Competition, Local Councils and Public Consultation, with whose help the publication was realized and to whom the first copy was presented.

Dr Said presented a copy of the book to Marlene Camilleri, wife of the late Anthony Camilleri, a councillor in the same Qala local council who passed away a few months ago, and to whom the book was dedicated.

Among the public present for the occasion were Anton F. Attard, Charles Coleiro, and Dr Joe Zammit Ciantar – the authors of papers on Maltese folklore that were published in the book – who presented books they authored to the Qala local council library.

The book, which contains the proceedings of the Fourth Qala International Folk Festival, may be considered as an offshoot of the three-day festival concentrating on local folk – the fourth of its type – organised in the village of Qala.

Mr Mizzi edited this publication. He writes an introduction in which, besides giving details of the generous help which the organisers received from both the government authorities, including Dr Chris Said and the Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, the Qala Church authorities and the Qala local council, acknowledges tremendous support comprising the three scholars who contributed the studies on Maltese folklore during the International Folk Conference, held as part of the festival.

A copy of the book may be obtained by contacting the secretary or the mayor Paul Buttigieg or Iċ-Ċentru Ċiviku tal-Qala on 2155 2555; e-mail: [email protected]