Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana unveiled a World War II memorial by Gozitan artist Mario Cassar in Marsalforn. The memorial, commissioned by the Marsalforn Administrative Committee in the Żebbuġ local council, commemorates the air attack on the bay on March 3, 1942. In the attack, three fishermen were machine-gunned and one of them, 22-year-old Alwiġi Vella, died the following morning at Gozo Hospital. The other two fishermen were brothers Salvu (aged 52) and Anton (56) Grech of Rabat, known as Ta’ Fenka.
Inspired by the fishermen’s boat and the symbol of the Cross, Cassar has created a contemporary sculpture that pertains to land art. In his own words, “the memorial is actually meant to break the waves or just kiss the summer breeze, not to mention the references to sundials and hence time”. The memorial is the sixth public art project entrusted to Cassar.
Historian Charles Bezzina delivered a commemorative talk, while the memorial was blessed by St Paul Shipwrecked church rector Canon Michael Borg.
A poem written for the occasion was read by Darren Saliba.