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Eds: Lino Briguglio, ET AL: The Gozo Observer. University Campus, 2014. 40 pp.
This year was a special year for the islands which celebrated no fewer than three historic anniversaries. Gozo, on its part, also had its own significant celebration when, on September 16, it celebrated the 150th anniversary of its erection as a separate diocese.
In the latest issue of The Gozo Observer, the journal of the Gozo Campus of the University of Malta, Joseph Bezzina writes about the events that led to that most important decision for the Gozo Church.
The idea of a separate bishopric can be traced back to Archpriest Saverio Cassar who, when the Gozitans defeated the French garrison, wrote to the Sicilian king on the basis that now the island was a sovereign territory.
The claim was raised again in 1836 when the Pope was asked to consider another petition but was halted by the Bishop of Malta.
Still, the dream lived on in Gozitan hearts. In 1855 a delegation discussed the matter in a private audience with Pope Pius IX, who would eventually issue the bull Singulari Amore that realised this wish.
The editorial of this issue, by Maurice Cauchi, looks at the educational situation in Gozo and ranges from the teaching of languages, invest-ment in Mcast and the medical school which Queen Mary University (London) has announced which he feels will “have an impact on the practice of medicine at the Gozo Hospital and on the staff there”.
In Barumbari, Giren, and Mġiebaħ – Vernacular Gems in Oblivion, Godwin Vella, head of curatorial affairs within Heritage Malta, examines three examples of vernacular architecture that attest to the rich agricultural heritage of the island but which are today often falling into ruins.
Sadly, today many pass them by without even knowing their names, much less what function they once had.
Vella focuses on barumabari (dovecotes), giren (corbelled stone huts) and mgiebaħ (beehives), explaining their uses and identifying the location of a number of them.
The author hopes that his paper will generate more interest in this overlooked aspect of Gozo’s rural heritage and lead to a full-scale gazetteer of these vernacular gems.
Pigeons provided a supply of ‘free’ meat if allowed to forage in the fields, with one pair potentially yielding 10 chicks a year.
This explains the ubiquitous holes in the top courses of so many farm buildings, some of which can be quite elaborate in some cases. There are also numerous examples of free-standing dovecotes dotting the landscape.
Giren are actually more numerous in Gozo than some people believe but are limited to the Upper Coralline uplands of Xagħra, Nadur and Qala. Indeed, the picture of a fine girna at Qala can be enjoyed on the front cover of the journal.
Vella mentions two surviving mġiebaħ at Wied Pisklu and Wied is-Seqer. Two others at the former site seem to have fallen victims to quarrying.
Saviour Formosa, senior lecturer with the department of criminology, writes about a pro-ject that involved the conversion of Gozo’s physical domain into internet virtuality.
This would help users to familiarise themselves with actual spatial surroundings and create scenarios that aid users interact with online users.
The project, which was intended to identify modes of baseline data capture across web domains, led to important advances in technological and analytical processes with societal benefits as identified by Group on Earth Observations initiatives.
Formosa believes that further steps would allow more effective participation of Gozitan society, particularly in matters relating to the environment.
Three examples of vernacular architecture attest to the rich agricultural heritage of the island, but are today often falling into ruins
In ‘Hein Selem’ – The village that flourished around a spring, Kevin Cauchi explains that people must have lived around Għajnsielem from the first immigration, drawn by the plentiful water supply that not only gave its name to the village but also to Mġarr downstream.
It was actually the last village to develop in Gozo, no doubt because its vicinity to the coast made an easy prey to piratical raids. The building Garzes Tower in the mid-17th century made the area much safer and opened the way for permanent settlements. The utilisation of Fort Chambray by the British brought jobs and prosperity of the area.
The development of the parish is linked with another Marian vision to yet another shepherd, Anglu Grech, that predated Karmena Grima’s vision of Ta’ Pinu in 1883.
The village has today ex-panded in all directions. Unfortunately the spring that gave it its name today lies buried deep under a modern square.
Consiglia Azzopardi, who coordinates the lacemaking programme at the Gozo Campus, writes about her experiences as a teacher, lecturer and researcher of lacemaking.
Azzopardi was, indeed, instrumental in reviving what was in the 1970s a dying craft and to trace its interesting history.
Genoese lacemakers who had moved to Malta during the Risorgimento helped to revive the industry in Gozo and Gozo lace soon became acclaimed internationally, reaching an apex in the third quarter of the 19th century.
Joseph Calleja, the administrator of the Gozo Campus, gives a brief account of the numerous activities at the centre that has become a real hive of activity.
The Gozo Observer is available without charge from the Gozo Campus (Tel. 2156 4559).