Candlelit festivals, folk tunes and a traditional gastronomic event have helped the old hamlet of Santa Luċija, in Kerċem, clinch a coveted international award that celebrates hidden treasures in Europe.
The European Destinations of Excellence (Eden) awards were presented to 20 European countries, including the small village in Gozo, during a special ceremony in Bordeaux.
European Commission vice-president Günther Verheugen, who presented the awards, said that, with Eden, the EU was, for the first time, proposing packages of destinations that excelled in one category.
Kerċem mayor Joseph Grima received the award on behalf of the hamlet.
Eden was set up as a pilot project and the first awards were presented to 10 emerging rural destinations last year. The number of countries taking part doubled this year and the Commission is hoping all EU member states will eventually participate.
This year's awards were given to those destinations that have developed high-quality tourism based on the promotion of local intangible assets and on the respect of local people. "We believe that the European Destinations of Excellence represent an unexploited marketing opportunity, which deserves further attention and research," Mr Verheugen said at a press conference.
The hamlet of Santa Luċija, which has about 1,700 inhabitants, was chosen to represent Malta from among 21 other competing localities because of cultural activities organised throughout the year to foster the appreciation of inherited traditions.
Ta' Klula Folklore Foundation, set up three years ago, is largely responsible for the revival of these traditions and festivities.
Carmen Bellamy, one of the foundation's founder members, explained that the main event is L-Ikla tan-Nanna (grandma's dinner), a seven-course meal using authentic ingredients from the surrounding fields.
All the waiters and volunteers working on the event dress in traditional costumes to keep the crowds entertained with historical re-enactments, music and wine.
"The aim is to maintain the traditions of the hamlet and teach youngsters the old ways of cooking, which are being lost to new generations," Ms Bellamy explained.
Another event is the Bis-Saħħa (a toast for good health) Wine Festival, which takes places in the streets of Santa Luċija and is held in cooperation with a local wine company.
Meanwhile, the Santa Luċija By Night light festival is geared to link spirituality and the locality. Candles are lit through the winding roads, while cakes and pastries are handed out as a young girl lights a bonfire. There is a common time for recollection and prayer as the village takes on a truly unique ambiance.
"The idea behind Eden is to promote excellence among emerging European tourist destinations, especially the lesser-known ones, which are creating economic growth," Mr Verheugen said.
"It has excellent potential to enhance the visibility of individual destinations and create awareness of the region's diversity," he added.
The 19 other countries taking part with diverse festivals, traditions and localities are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkey.