Festa Nicec – A feast of street niches in Gozo, celebrating ‘Is Safj Ta’ San Martin’, commences this week.

On Thursday the 8th of November, at 11.00am, there is an inauguration of a photographic exhibition, ‘An Aureole Of Niches’ by French photographer Luc Arden. The exhibition will be open till the 30th of November and will be open Monday to Saturday from 9am till 4pm, and on Sunday from 9am till noon

Also on Thursday, at 7.00pm, there is an inauguration of the restoration of the niche of Jesus the Saviour at Triq il-Ghajn, Fontana, with the participation of Miriam Christine Borg and the Gozo Children’s Choir.

On Friday the 9th of November, at 9.00am, there will be tours of the various niches found in Gozitan localities for the primary schools, each school will participate in their own locality.

Also on Friday at, 7.00pm, ‘L-Ghanja tan-Nicca’ an evening of music, literature and dance, will be held near the niche of ‘il-Madonna tac-Cicri’ at Madonna tac-Cicri Street, Zebbug. This activity is free of charge and pre-booking is required.

On Saturday 10th November, at 10.00am, guided tours of the niches in Gozo will be departing from Victoria bus terminus, there is a charge of Lm1 per person and pre-booking is required.

There are two tours, both with a duration of 2 hours – The first comprises visits to Marsalforn, Zebbug, Ghasri, Gharb, San Lawrenz, Santa Lucija, Kercem, Fontana, Victoria and the Citadel. The second tour will visit Xaghra, Nadur, Qala, Ghajnsielem, Xewkija, Sannat, Munxar, Fontana, Victoria and the Citadel.

Also on Saturday, at noon, there is a lunch-time concert by The Island Brass Band, near the niche of St. Anne, the Gozo Citadel’s old entrance.

On Saturday evening there is a re-enactment of a gozitan medieval wedding with celebrations, starting at 7.00 pm, near Savina Church, Victoria. This will be followed by narration and acting in the city’s old streets. A Wedding Banquet of Local Platters and Sweets will be served in front of The Niche of ‘San Gorg Tal-Hagar’ on the corner of Library street and St. George’s Street. Pre-booking is required – tickets are Lm 2.00. Bookings can be made on 21556125 or by emailing info@gozoculture.com.

On Sunday the 11th of November, at 11.30am, an open air Mass will be held in front of the niche of ‘Il- Madonna Tal-Lunzjata’, Church Street, Ghasri.

Also on Sunday, at 2.30 pm, Traditional ‘Ghana’ (folk singing) will be held near the niche of Saint Publius, Saint Publius Street, Xewkija.

Later on Sunday, at 5.30 pm, there will be a traditional ‘Festa tan-Nicca’ (as celebrated up to 30 years ago) which will be held next to the niche of Our Lady of Loretu, Ghajn Qatet Street, Victoria, entertainment will include, ‘Il-Banda ta’ Indri’, traditional folk dances, ground and aerial fireworks, and also local traditions related to the feast of Saint Martin, including the popular stands of traditional sweets and drinks.