29 March 2007 Rating 2% No Comment  

Gozo will be hosting its own version of the now trademarked cultural evenings, following the success that Notte Bianca and Notte Magica held in Valletta in recent months managed to obtain. Yet, the Gozo event, which is aptly named Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana will be given a twist particular to Gozo's characteristics. Cultural events in Gozo will consist of pre- and post-activities happening with a full weekend of events kicking off on Friday 18 May and extending up to Sunday 20. Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana main events will take place on Saturday 19 May, reaching a culmination during the Lapsi night well into the early hours of Sunday 20 May. This amplified version of the well known cultural celebration is specific to Gozo in a bid to strengthen the potential of the attraction of more tourism to the island. The programme boasts a balanced mix of different art forms and genres that should appeal to culture lovers and the general public of all ages. Popular performers will be flanked alongside unusual acts, with happenings taking place in both culture-associated venues and other intriguing sites. Art, music, dance and theatre will be on the menu as much as history, traditions and heritage that are inherent in Gozo's characteristic cultural identity. Commercial outlets in Victoria are encouraged to open as much as food and beverage outlets that are also expected to generate an added attraction. Main stages of a thematic nature will be set up in six different locations - Independence Square, Sabina Square, St Augustine Square, St Francis Square, St George's Square and Republic Street crossroads - with activity held simultaneously starting off in a staggered programme leading to the night's peak early Sunday morning. Re-enactments and street performances will feature prominently in the narrow and winding streets of Victoria, with concerts and recitals taking place in churches and chapels scattered around the town centre. Private initiatives are being encouraged while the participation of local artistes is strongly supported. The events organised on Friday and Sunday will be held within the Citadel in Victoria with the Saturday events extending to most of the main town's medieval streets and squares. Speaking during this morning's press launch, the Hon. Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech, Minister for Tourism and Culture spoke about the significance of this event which brought together the successes of the Notte Bianca and Notte Magica. He said that Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana was a festival of culture, tradition and entertainment which showed what Gozo had to offer as a tourist destination which is totally different from Malta. He said that the full collaboration that existed between his Ministry and the Ministry for Gozo augured well for the success of this event and the success of the Gozitan tourism segment. Addressing the same media launch, the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo said that Government is investing heavily in this event as it understands the strong contribution that such an attraction will have for the tourism industry on the island. In fact, Minister Debono said, the programme has been extended to cover a whole weekend in a bid to further attract lengthier stays in both the foreign and domestic tourism markets to Gozo. Gozitan stakeholders, such as the Gozo Tourism Association, the Gozo Business Chamber and Gozo Channel are supporting this initiative as they all realise the short- and medium-term benefits for the island's economic development. The focus of the weekend's series of events is being centred on quality cultural events made accessible to all, making use of popular and unusual venues that are not often directly associated with cultural experiences, said Artistic Director Mary Ann Cauchi. While elements of the familiar format of the previous Notte Bianca and Notte Magica are being applied to Gozo, specific attention is being directed to keep the event fresh and particular to the island's distinct characteristics while encouraging the local community to participate and come up with initiatives to further bring out Gozo's unique cultural character. Mr Joe Muscat, Secretary of the Gozo Tourism Association, who also addressed the press conference, said that, 'The joint iniative taken by the Ministry for Gozo together with the Ministry for Tourism and Culture to hold Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana in one of the lean months of the year is yet another venture in our endeavours to enhance the tourism industry but particularly the internal tourism sector on the island of Gozo. It is another attraction in a series of activities recently held over weekends on Gozo which offer the added attractions for both the Maltese and foreign tourists while they are overnighting in Gozo. The Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana will surely be a unique experience which will bring out the distinct characteristics of the island which are the real attractions and crowd-pullers of the domestic market across the channel'. On his part, Mr Robert Tabone, mayor of Victoria stated that, 'The initiative of the Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana keeps building on the good name Victoria has built for itself over the years, that of being a centre of culture, history, art and music. The activities prepared complement the distinct characteristics of the locality, which provide a natural backdrop in the unique atmosphere offered by Victoria. It is therefore a pleasure for our Local Council to welcome all those who will honour us with their presence to attend these activities which have all the necessary ingredients to make this a memorable experience'. Bank of Valletta's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tonio Depasquale, said, 'BOV's support, as a main sponsor of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana, underlines our close involvement within the Gozitan Community. We consider ourselves to be an integral member of the Gozitan society, playing an important role both from an economic perspective but also through our support in various community projects of an artistic, cultural, heritage and social nature'. Mr. Depasquale added that 'through our support, we hope to promote Gozo as a popular destination and help generate increased economic activity in Gozo. We hope that these events will bring with them a strong influx of Maltese and foreigners that will be attracted to the island thanks to the innovative programme of cultural events that is being put together'. Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana is being held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 18-19-20 May, around the Citadel and Victoria, Gozo. It is a joint Ministry for Gozo and Ministry for Tourism and Culture event, sponsored by the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund - Ministry of Finance, Bank of Valletta and Gozo Channel Company Limited and supported by the Victoria Local Council, the Malta Tourism Authority and the Gozo Tourism Association. For further information, a helpdesk has been set up at telephone number 21559832, email address events@gozoculture.com..., and a promotional website www.gozoculture.com... will be set up in the coming days.