Gharb Festival of Arts, Culture, Music and History

Gharb Council, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Gozo, is organising a Festival of Arts, Culture, Music and History between Friday and Saturday.

The festival has been themed Seher il-Punent (Western charm).

Gharb is renowned for its peacefulness and serenity, however it will be full of life next weekend. A colourful, floodlit stage will be set up on the parish square. Places of interest such as chapels and museums will be open until late at night and cultural and historical tours will be held around the village.

Bands will perform every evening, there will be street theatre and arts and crafts exhibitions will be held. Ta' Dbiegi Crafts Village will be remain open. Activities for children will also be held.

Some of the Malta Song for Europe finalists will be performing on the square.

The Ghaqda Muzikali Vizitazzjoni band of Gharb, set up in 2003, will be opening the three evenings at 7.30. However activities begin on Friday at noon with flower arranging.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Gharb mayor David Apap will officially open the festival at 8.45, followed by a performance by the Versatile Brass Ensemble, dancing by a Bulgarian cabaret group and music by Scar.

A traditional Gozitan dinner, organised by the local folk group Ghaqda Tal-Qiegha, will be held on Saturday at 8 p.m. For bookings call 9922-8808 or 7949-2667. The Big Band Brothers and the comedians of Zoo Media & Dance Company will provide entertainment during the dinner.

On Sunday there will be a thanksgiving Mass at the basilica at 9 a.m. followed by a procession with the miraculous painting of the Madonna del Cuore over the infiorata (a carpet of flowers in front of the main door of the church). The painting was brought over to Gozo by a delegation from Gerano, Gharb's twin village in Italy.

Mark Spiteri Lucas, Charlene and Natasha Grima, Ivan Spiteri Lucas, Aldo Busuttil, J. Anvil, Fabrizio Faniello and Augusto Cardinale, and Keith and Adonel Dancers will perform in concert at 9 p.m., presented by Ryan, Karl and Romina Bonaci. Klinsmann Coleiro, Pamela Bezzina and Olivia Lewis will also perform. A fireworks display will close every night of the festival.

"This is a programme of activities aimed at those who love being entertained while learning more about the history and culture of our village and of Gozo and Malta. All those who visit Gharb between Friday and Sunday will surely not be disappointed," the mayor told The Sunday Times.

A souvenir programme with some vouchers redeemable at shops in Malta and Gozo will be distributed.

The Ghaqda tal-Qiegha playing traditional instruments