The country is in holiday mood today as the feast of Santa Marija is celebrated in seven villages across Malta and Gozo. Since it is also one of the 14 public or national holidays that this country enjoys – and here the question always arises on whether we have too many – most of the working population does not work.

Of course there are many for whom Santa Marija does not bring any respite. For policemen, soldiers, doctors, nurses, public transport workers, journalists and many others it is a normal working day.

Others are enjoying a company shutdown – many factories and offices close not only today, but for the rest of the week. For those who have to get back to work tomorrow, a Santa Marija feast occurring on a Monday (or a Friday) allows for a long weekend they always look forward to.

The feast of Santa Marija is the highlight of the summer period, and it can be said that it separates the summer in two – as of tomorrow, the second part of summer will start, when families start thinking about going back to the winter routine, as the day when schools re-open gets closer and the cooler months approach.

As usually happens at this time of the year, Gozo is filled with many Maltese who take their summer holiday on the sister island. It has become a tradition to do so for many, although in recent years the number of opportunities for holiday weekends in Gozo has increased, such as for Carnival or Lejlet Lapsi activities. Others simply love to cross the channel any weekend.

For many, it is a time for relaxation and to enjoy the company of relatives and friends. For the Gozitans, it is perhaps one of those weekends they do not enjoy so much, as the Maltese “invasion” hinders their normal tranquil way of life. Still, it is also a time when the Gozitan economy gets a big boost. Today, many in fact complain that it is cheaper to go abroad than to go on holiday in Gozo.

Still, many Maltese continue to flock to the island in droves. It is almost amazing to see fewer cars on Maltese roads at this time of the year, while traffic jams become common on the sister island.

The Gozo Ministry is always busy with a number of projects being carried out to enhance the Gozitans’ lifestyle, and from which many Maltese benefit as well. Many will prefer Gozo to maintain its “old” characteristics and this is why they oppose the building of a tunnel to link the two islands.