Big festival in small village

Seher Il-Punent, a festival of art, culture, history and music that aims to expose the main characteristics of a Gozitan village, will set the quiet village of Gharb alight for three days on the weekend starting from March 16.

The main square will be adorned with feast decorations and the old house façades and balconies will be hung with coloured lights. All the places of culture and historical interest such as museums and chapels will be open until late hours. Guided walking tours around the village will be organised together with re-enactments of historical events, street theatre, band marches and art and crafts exhibitions.

Local rock bands, finalists of the Malta Song for Europe 2007, and dance groups will all be performing on a number of small stages set up along the main street leading to the main square. Each night will be closed with a spectacle of fireworks.

All festival days open at 7.30 p.m. with traditional and local rock bands, singers and dancers performing in various places.

On Friday, March 16, the Versatile Brass Ensemble and Bulgarian dancers will perform, together with rock band Scar. Cultural walking tours will be held at 10 a.m. on March 17. A traditional dinner with typical Gozitan food will be served up by the Ghaqda Tal-Qiegha folk group at 8 p.m. followed by the Big Band Brothers brass band and the comedians of Zoo Media and Dance Company. Kevin Borg will also entertain.

On the last day of the festival, March 18, Mass will be said at the Gharb Basilica at 9 a.m. Singers and dance schools will be on the main stage at 3 p.m.

A live concert featuring Mark Spiteri Lucas, singers Charlene and Natasha Grima, Ivan Spiteri Lucas, Aldo Busuttil, J. Anvil, Fabrizio Faniello, Augusto Cardinale, Keith and the Adonel Dancers will kick off at 9 p.m. followed by performances by Klinnsman Coleiro and Pamela Bezzina.

The evening will be closed off with a performance by Olivia Lewis followed by a fireworks show.

Further information is available by calling 2156 0556 or 7949 2667.