Enthusiasts from all over the world will converge on Għarb over the weekend for the International Kite and Wind Festival.

The event, being held for the first time here, will include workshops, competitions and kite-flying spectacles by experts from Malta, Brazil, Italy, England, Portugal, France, Vietnam, Russia, Germany, Argentina, Switzerland, India, Poland, Malaysia and Japan.

Among the participants will be Brazil-born professional kite flier Guilherme Linares Palau of Treviso, Italy, who is helping the Għarb local council set up the event.

Mr Linares Palau has been making kites since he was four. Now in his 50s, the lightweight creations have become his main occupation and he has travelled the world following this “big passion” of his. He has taken part in kite festivals in France, Germany, Portugal, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Romania, Brazil Turkey, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, China and Korea, among other countries.

The kite holds a spiritual significance for him, representing “peace, art and poetry”.

He thinks it is a pity this pastime is not popular in the Maltese islands but does not blame high-tech toys or smart devices for children’s seemingly lack of interest.

“Many countries simply do not have a kite-flying culture,” he remarks. “On the other hand, this pastime or sport is quite popular in Italy, France, Germany and more distant countries, such as China, where it is said that kites were born.”

Kites come in all shapes and sizes and there are various types, including inflatables, parafoils, deltas, box kites, cellulars, sleds and fighter kites.

Some countries, such as India, Malaysia, China, Japan, Indonesia and Brazil, have their own traditional kites. The kites are not necessarily costly as creativity is the keyword here. “One can make beautiful kites using inexpensive material such as bamboo, tissue paper, newspapers and other recycled material,” Mr Linares Palau says.

He adds that kite-flying knows no age and any person from “zero to 100 years” can start flying a kite.

Mr Linares Palau is expecting people visiting the Gozitan festival to remain in awe at the colourful world of kites that “unites and never separates”.

“I am sure this event will thrill many locals,” he remarks. “And I believe they will want to rediscover this ancient custom once they try their hand at kite flying and feel the incredible emotion only a kite can transmit.”

About the festival

The International Wind and Kite Festival, which coincides with the feast of St Demetrius, kicks off on Friday with a kite-building session for students at the Gozo Sports Complex.

The official opening will take place at 6.30pm at Għarb square.

There will be workshops for individuals who enrolled on the VisitGozo website from 10am and kite-flying displays near the St Demetrius chapel until late at night tomorrow.

Sunday morning will see a kite-flying spectacle in the same area, including kites built during the workshops, a display of hand-made kites and a competition. Trophies will be handed out in the afternoon.

For a detailed programme log on to www.visitgozo.com.

The festival is supported by Arts Council Malta, the Department for Local Government and the Gozo Ministry.