On the morning of September 8, I was still undecided which feast of the Nativity of Our Lady I would attend, but then I opted to go to Xagħra, Gozo.

Keep the good old traditions while being open to innovation- Franz Falzon, Qawra

It’s not the first time that I have been to that feast, with family or friends, and I always had positive experiences, but this year it was special. Many things have changed in feasts, some for the better and some for the worse.

We made it to the square in good time, before the procession started. Luckily here you find no tables, chairs, fridges, freezers, cookers, or loud music coming from bars or clubs, so people can talk to each other and wander about with ease without any inconvenience.

And most of the locals, young and old, put on their Sunday best and enjoy the feast in its simplicity.

But what I admired most was the façade of the church, decorated with the new LED lamps at considerable expense – but what a contrast with the old type of lamps. This is the energy you find in Gozo – keeping the good old traditions while being open to innovation.