• The feast of Our Lady of the Nativity (Marija Bambina) will be celebrated at Xagħra on Thursday. As part of the preparatory celebrations, traditional horse and donkey races will be held today at 8am in Triq tal-Qaċċa. On Thursday at 9am Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will lead a concelebrated Mass, with the participation of the cathedral and collegiate chapters. Għajnsielem archpriest Frankie Bajada will deliver the panegyric. Mro Vincenzo Bugeja’s Mass A Maria Immacolata will be performed by Sliema’s Jesus of Nazareth choir, directed by Can. Salv Galea. The Beland and Precursor bands will perform marches in the village streets at 11am. The procession with the statue of Our Lady, led by archpriest Carmelo Refalo and accompanied by the Victory Band, starts at 7.30pm. Meanwhile Leone Band will perform a concert at Victory Square. Festivities close with marches by the Victory Band at 10.30pm.

• To commemorate the Great Siege, Bishop Mario Grech will concelebrated Mass on Wednesday at 9.30am at Xagħra parish church. At 11am, a ceremony will be held at Victory Square, including a re-enactment by the Xagħra Historical Re-enactment Organisation, followed by an address and laying of wreaths. The ceremony is organised by the National Festivities Committee in conjunction with the Xagħra parish and the local council.

• The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will be celebrated today at Xlendi. Bishop Mario Grech will lead a Mass at 10am at Xlendi chapel. Acquatic sport activities will be held between 11.30am and 6pm, with the popular traditional gostra (greasy pole game) starting at 2.30pm. The procession with the statue of Our Lady, led by Mgr Karm Borg, rector of Annunciation chapel, Lunzjata Valley, Victoria, starts at 7pm. It will be accompanied by Santa Margherita Band.

• Youths 4 Youths, a series of free edutainment activities in a safe, healthy, learning environment for children between eight and 13, is being organised Oasi Foundation in collaboration with HSBC Malta Foundation. For details call 2156 3333.

• The second edition of Stage and Proms on the Sea by the Gozo Youth Wind Band will be held on Friday at 8.30pm at Mġarr Harbour. The concert will feature pop singers Ludwig Galea and Sarah Bonnici performing songs from various musicals. For information and reservations e-mail gozowindbandorchestra@yahoo.co.uk.

charles.spiteri@timesofmalta.com

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