Gozo Channel has promised an "efficient" service with "minimal waiting time" over the Easter weekend. An average of 45,000 passengers and 11,000 vehicles are usually carried by Gozo Channel in the four-day period between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, with the company performing more than 40 extra trips, general manager Marvic Fenech Adami said. He said the company will be utilising its resources and performing the necessary extra trips to provide an efficient service. During peak times, the Malita will be using both hoistable decks, increasing its vehicle capacity to around 150 cars per trip.

Ferry passengers to Gozo this weekend will be using a new marshalling area at the Mgarr terminal. With work on the marshalling area - where cars queue up before boarding the ferry concluded, work on the terminal building will start next week. The chairman of the Malta Maritime Authority, Marc Bonello said the work was expected to be completed by next March. Work on the Cirkewwa terminal will restart after summer and is expected to be finished by June 2007, Dr Bonello said. Work on both terminals is expected to cost about Lm14.5 million. Work is also underway on the 180-car underground car park, beneath the marshalling area. Gozo Channel chairman Joseph Borg said the company was still looking into methods of payment for use of the car park. Speaking during a media tour of the terminal, Dr ... Read more...

New authenticity certificates were handed out to arts and crafts shops and manufacturers in Gozo to establish the recognition and encourage the appreciation of the items produced. At the launch of the project, Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said that 30,000 authenticity certificates had been given to arts and crafts shops and manufacturers. The project was carried out by the Competitiveness and Communications Ministry together with the Gozo Ministry. Some 768 people work in the arts and crafts industry in Gozo, as registered by the Malta Council for Arts and Crafts, and this number is constantly on the rise. Over the last few years, around 320,000 authenticity certificates and 120,000 stickers were handed out, said Mr Galea. He added that for this initiative to reach its target, it must be used honestly and the ministry, which is responsible for market surveillance, ... Read more...

The importance of reading inspired the Gozo Public Library to organise two events to commemorate World Book Day which is internationally marked on 23 April. The two-day events came to an end last Thursday afternoon with a seminar organised in collaboration with the Gozo College, entitled ?The Importance of Reading?. On Wednesday 5 April, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono opened an exhibition of 1,000 new books purchased by the ministry for the libraries in Gozo. Literary and archive material was also presented to the Gozo Public Library and National Archives (Gozo). The Ministry for Gozo donated a bronze relief of the recently-erected monument of Archpriest Saverio Cassar, showing the capitulation of the French in Gozo in 1798. Other donations were given by new graduates, non-governmental organisations, local publishers and authors. The purchase of another 1,000 books by the ministry follows the acquisition of ... Read more...

The first Computer and Technology Fair is being held at the Gozo Sports Complex from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 April. Various suppliers of computer hardware, gadgets, consumables and software, from Malta and Gozo will be exhibiting the latest products that are available on the local home and office ICT market today. The fair will also provide visitors the opportunity to get hands on experience in using a whole variety of products and services available locally. With IT becoming increasingly important on the local front, with the SmartCity project clearly reflecting the country?s development in this area, the organisers have also invited training providers from both the private and public sectors to take part and thus provide information on training possibilities available in the Maltese islands. Besides the three-day Computer and Technology Fair, a morning seminar for parents will be held to help ... Read more...

The Rosa Magro primary school, in Xewkija, will be considerably upgraded through funds the Ministry for Gozo is investing in the modernisation of schools in Gozo this financial year, the government said yesterday. The ministry is finalising the tender documents that will be issued later this month, calling for bidders to do the works needed.

Every Easter, it has become customary that Gozo experiences a heavy influx of Maltese who opt to spend the long Easter weekend in Gozo, giving a much wanted boost to the Gozitan economy. Gozo Channel carries an average of around 45,000 passengers and 11,000 vehicles in the four-day period between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, and over 40 extra trips, over and above the scheduled 220 trips, are performed each year during that period. The company will be utilising its resources for the coming Easter in the same way, and will be performing extra trips as necessary in order to provide an efficient service. Furthermore, during peaks, the Malta will be using both hoistable decks, putting up its vehicle carrying capacity to around 150 cars per trip. The service should thus be a reflection of the performance experienced in the last long ... Read more...

State of the art showcases are presently being installed at the Gozo Museum of Archaeology to permanently house the prehistoric collection, including unique archaeological artefacts, unearthed during excavations at the Gozo Stone Circle in Xag?ra. These showcases, having shatter-proof glass displays and a climate-controlled environment, offer maximum protection and security possible for these unique artefacts that date back to the Neolithic, Temple Period and Bronze Age respectively (c. 5200 ? 700 BC). The new prehistory section will greatly enhance the visitor?s experience at the museum through an improved presentation of the island?s rich and unique prehistoric heritage. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo said that these showcases will allow artefacts from the Gozo Stone Circle, which are of world importance, to be put on permanent display in Gozo for the first time. They were exhibited briefly for one month in the late ... Read more...

The Eden Foundation in Gozo is holding its annual collective art exhibition for the tenth consecutive year. Open until May 1st, the exhibition is being held at 104, Republic Street, Victoria, by the Bank of Valletta. The venue is one of Victoria's most prestigious and beautiful old private homes, which was lent to the foundation by its current owners for the exhibition. Over 90 established and aspiring artists have displayed a wide range of new works in various media, which will be on sale. A selection of antique and rustic furniture and collectors' items will also be available. A share of the proceeds will go the Eden Foundation to help children and adults with developmental disabilities. Last year, over 100 paintings and sculptures, and nearly 100 pieces of furniture, were sold. The Eden Foundation is a private, non-profit organisation, founded by Dr ... Read more...

The Bishop of Gozo, Mario Grech, has planted a tree at the Kercem primary school, through the 34U campaign. The 34U campaign gives anyone the chance to plant a tree for any type of occasion, be it a birthday or anniversary etc. For more information you may call 2295 2333 or email 34U @gov.mt.