Mediterranea launches fringe festival

Gozo'S first fringe festival, 'MED Fringe 2002', which forms part of the Mediterranea cultural festival, will be held from November 22 to 29.

Fringe festivals, usually associated with the world's largest festivals, feature a wide spectrum of arts. MED Fringe 2002 will also provide opportunities for the exploration of Gozo's riches in the fields of culture and heritage.

Among other events, Mediterranea's fringe festival will feature the world premiere of a video documentary, Fungus Rock, by Italian reporter Arturo Mingardi, painting and sculpture exhibitions by Rebecca Vella, Nicolette Vella and Paul Stellini, and an exhibition of Church silver presented by St George's Basilica.

It will include a crafts market set up by the Crafts Council of the Gozo Business Chamber, Animata - a marionette show for adults by UK artist Stephen Mottram and presented by the British Council, and Swan Lake, by the Ballet Classique de Paris.

The festival will also stage Verdi's opera Un Ballo in Maschera, choral and symphony concerts, among which Verdi's Requiem and Te Deum which will feature the well-known tenor Giuseppe Giacomini and a symphony concert by La Stella Band.

A piano recital will be performed by Young Choon-Park and ethnic music by Etnika.

Daily tours of churches, museums, panoramic sights, and Gozo's prehistoric culture are being organised by the heritage society Wirt Ghawdex.

Mediterranea is aiming for the fringe festival to become an annual cultural landmark of the Maltese Islands, offering a wide selection of events for patrons of the Astra Theatre, while providing a long-awaited attraction for tourism in winter.

Mediterranea has been marketed abroad in the past year. It has featured in the media in various countries, among which the UK, Ireland, Italy, and the US. Press conferences promoting the event were held in Munich, Berlin, London, Catania and Palermo. The festival's promotional material has also been published in various languages.

Mediterranea is being presented by the Astra Theatre, the Malta Tourism Authority, Air Malta and Holiday Malta in collaboration with the Gozo, Education and Tourism Ministries, Maltacom, Bank of Valletta, Central Cigarettes and Enemalta.

For more information on bookings and the festival in general, visit the festival's Website at: www.mediterranea.com.mt or call the festival's helpdesk (tel: 2155-0985).

The festival is also offering attractive package deals for combinations of tickets of different events.