The Colourful Gozo Carnival 2018

Gozo Carnival 2018

 

Gozo Carnival 2018 starts on Thursday 8 February and lasts till Tuesday 13 February.

It is an annual event which lasts five days.

But did you know that in Malta and Gozo Carnival has been celebrated for almost 500 years?

Carnival meaning

But what is the meaning of Carnival? 

Well, the word Carnival comes from an Italian phrase, carne vale, which means ‘meat is allowed’. 

This is because Carnival is a five day long activities celebrated exactly before the 40-day long Lent time where in the Middle Ages, Roman Catholic religion did not permit meat consumption during Lent time.

Short History of Malta and Gozo Carnival

Carnival in Malta and Gozo was introduced in the year 1535 by Grandmaster Del Ponte.

That is exactly five years after the Knights of St. John came to Malta.  First it was the Knights who used to take part in Carnival activities and later during the years, the local people started to take part as well.

Gradually but constantly, Malta and Gozo Carnival grew in popularity and complexity too.

This year is 483 years after the first Carnival was held in the Maltese islands.

But for some time, Carnival was not allowed in Malta and Gozo.

In fact in 1639, Grandmaster Lascaris ordered that no woman could put on masks or costumes representing the devil.

The population of the islands absolutely did not like Lascaris’ decision because Carnival had already became part of the local cultural activities on the islands.

Throughout the centuries, Carnival was always celebrated in February, just before Lent time. However, in Malta and Gozo, Carnival was celebrated in the month of May between 1972 and 1987. 

From 1988 till to the present time, Carnival in Gozo and Malta is celebrated in its proper time – the month of February.

Gozo Carnival 2018

Nowadays, on Gozo, two types of Carnival are held each year – the organised and spontaneous Carnival.

Organised Carnival

Gozo Carnival Nadur

Organised Carnival is held in capital Victoria and around several towns and villages of Gozo.

Preparations for the organised Carnival start very early, for some activities even a year before.

Different, small and large, colourful costumes as well as big Carnival floats are prepared by very dedicated Gozitans who made Carnival part and parcel of their lifestyle.

Various groups meet together and do weekly rehearsals.  For instance, dance groups start rehearsing in the summer season, that is about six months before Carnival time.

 

Spontaneous Carnival

Courtesy: Nadur Local Council.
Courtesy: Nadur Local Council.

Spontaneous Carnival is perhaps a more traditional Carnival more popular in the villages rather than in capital Victoria.

Nadur is certainly the place to be to enjoy the spontaneous Gozo Carnival 2018.

Similar to organised Carnival, it lasts five days or better five consecutive nights between Friday and Tuesday.

During these nights, people on individual or family or friends basis dress any sort of Carnival costumes and parade in the main streets and square of Nadur village.

No doubt, during the spontaneous Carnival, what you’ll see will surely exceed your expectations!

 

 

In Malta and Gozo, Carnival is a feast shared by all generations, young and old.

Carnival is so deeply rooted in Maltese history that became one of the annual principal events of the cultural calendar.

No wonder so many visitors return to experience the Malta and Gozo Carnival each year in February!

Viva Viva l-Karnival / Long live Carnival time! 

 

January, Gozo, Marilyn Monroe: what’s in common?

what to eat in Malta
what to eat in Gozo
Lovely strawberries just picked in the morning in Mgarr Malta.

When Christmas and New Year’s Day festivities are over, all the lovely colours of lights and decor which light up our homes, shops and streets will slowly fade away and we get back to normal life. But not all colours do… In Malta and Gozo, January is the beginning of the red strawberry season which reaches its peak in Spring with various and endless healthy, social and philanthropic initiatives around the islands.

Just after New Year’s Day, during one of my countryside walks from home in our town of Ghajnsielem on the island of Gozo, I could not but notice the strawberry plants growing bigger and bigger and the first bright red strawberries coming out from beneath the dark green leaves and the rich fertile soil.

Local farmers actually start preparing their fields for strawberry planting in the hot summer days of August and September. A whole network of plastic tunnels with an in-built water drip system just beneath the rich soil is the first setup for strawberry growing on Gozo and Malta. Then, the farmer will start putting one small strawberry plant next to each drip and when the whole plastic tunnel is completed with the plants, it is covered again to maintain a constant temperature.

Strawberry growing in Gozo
Small strawberry plants still growing on Gozo.
Strawberry fields in Gozo
Strawberry fields in Ghajnsielem, Gozo.
Strawberry fields in Mgarr Malta on October 2, 2017. Courtesy: Festa Frawli facebook Page.
Strawberry fields in Mgarr Malta on October 2, 2017. Courtesy: Festa Frawli facebook page.

What’s the secret of such a success strawberry story on the Maltese islands? Definitely the Maltese climate, the various types of fertile soils on the islands as well as the passionate work of our farmers are the primary reasons for a high quality, nutritive fruit such as the local Maltese strawberries. As one local farmer said, “We make sure each strawberry plant uses all its natural potential entirely to produce its own fruit!” To make this happen, it is therefore very important to provide the most natural environment of excellence – natural warmth, right amount of watering and local expertise.

Gozo climate
Maltese climate with 300 hours of sunshine per year provides the perfect strawberry environment.
where to go in Malta
Strawberry plants are also grown in small pots in Maltese houses.

Frawli, Maltese word for strawberries are very popular in Malta and Gozo. From January till May, it is the seasonal fruit and certainly is enjoyed by everyone, except for those people who have fragariaphobia, fear of strawberries.

I love strawberries Malta
The dilemma to choose which cupcake to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea!

Children take strawberries for their school break. Schools promote healthy eating with loads and loads of strawberries and fieldwork visits where strawberries grow are organised as an integral part of the curriculum. Teenagers, adolescents, the elderly and tourists – just almost everyone loves the local strawberries!

what's on malta
Strawberries play an important role in Malta’s healthy lifestyle promotion.

Strawberries have many health benefits. Strawberries are very rich in antioxidant properties and help to reduce inflammation, promote weight loss, boost immunity, treat arthritis and gout, strongly support our eye health and even prevent cancer. Very interesting to know that strawberries are also known as brain food because together with banana, boost brain function especially at a time when we start getting older and older.

Health benefits of strawberries Gozo Malta

The strawberry season peak time is certainly around Easter time, that is mid March / April. A huge festival known as Festa Frawli (Strawberries Feast) is held in a small village named Mgarr on Malta thanks to the amazing commitment and dedication of the Mgarr Local Council and the local farmers’ cooperative. It’s actually a grand food festival! But there is one common denominator in all the types of food on sale and on show at the day-long feast. All food contains little or much of the strawberry fruit itself.

So, for instance, you can start your day with a strawberry coffee or a strawberry milkshake followed by a strawberry yoghurt and then you walk little more and get tempted by a mouth-watering seafood pasta or a white creamy risotto with local pecorino cheese with a dash of strawberry sauce. Must try are definitely the strawberry sourbet, ice cream, cookies and the strawberry and chocolate muffins and wait… don’t leave without tasting the strawberry liqeour just to mention a few!

what's on Gozo
One of my favourite strawberry cup cakes!
what's on Malta and Gozo
Perfect blend of sweet ingredients with the local juicy strawberries.
Strawberries festival Gozo Malta
Delicious chocolate and strawberry muffins.
Strawberry liqueur in Malta
Gorgeous strawberries and its liqueur in Mgarr Malta.

But you may ask, what does Marilyn Monroe has to do with strawberries? Well, the colour, the taste and pleasure of eating a bright red juicy strawberry knows no borders and has no limits on creativity. Even Marilyn couldn’t but not recognise it. In fact once she said: Dating a new man is like holding a strawberry milkshake; first the taste, then the pleasure.

Marilyn Monroe's quote on strawberries

So, January, Gozo and Marilyn Monroe actually do have something in common. Here on Gozo, strawberries in winter and spring become a sort of staple food being so fresh, delicious and healthy. In shops and in the streets when the daily fruit and vegetables hawker stops by, you’ll hear someone asking Ghad baqaghlek xi ftit frawli jekk joghgbok? that is Do you still have some strawberries left please?

what to eat on travel in Gozo Malta
Picking some fresh strawberries from the market on Gozo – January 8th, 2018.

Strawberries have become an essential element in the Maltese healthy lifestyle and culture… and it’s our pleasure promoting the local fresh produce when welcoming guests at our boutique self-catering accommodation on Gozo with some freshly picked bright red local strawberries.

villa holidays on Gozo Malta
Very Special welcome to our guests at HolidaysOnGozo.com

Merhba! Welcome home! Wish you berry lovely holidays on Gozo!

 

Strawberries Festival Malta – Festa Frawli 2017

Festa Frawli Mgarr

 

 

Festa Frawli

This Sunday, 2 April, all roads in Malta and Gozo lead to the little village of Mgarr for the eleventh consecutive Festa Frawli – Strawberries Festival. Similar to last year, the peak visiting time will be between 10.ooam and 5.00pm.  However, large crowds flock the main square and streets of this village much earlier than 10 in the morning.

Strawberries festival in Malta

In a nutshell, one can say that this Spring festival offers something for everyone. It does focus on the younger ones – the children with various eco-activities and organised games. If you are visiting the Festa Frawli on Sunday, you will find an incredible choice of all sorts of food with one common ingredient – the bright red local strawberries.

Strawberries festival in Malta

How to reach the Festa Frawli by public transport:

The green and white buses no. 44, 238 and 101 leave Valletta to the Strawberries festival in Mgarr throughout the entire day.

Strawberries festival in Malta

A word of thanks and gratitude goes to the Mgarr Local Council, all the personnel involved in the Festa Frawli organisation and the farmers – for their incessant dedication and commitment throughout the whole process of strawberry growing.

Strawberries festival in Malta

Festa Frawli

Festa Frawli

Festa Frawli

Strawberries festival in Malta

Courtesy: Festa Frawli 2017 organisation for all the images.

Christmas In Gozo 2016 Programme

Bethlehem in Ghajnsielem Gozo

Christmas Village Gozo

Christmas is a highly celebrated festivity in Malta and Gozo, both for its religious significance a well as in its more social aspect. The season is celebrated to its fullest on the Maltese Islands, with the active participation of many; Nativity scenes, displays of cribs, carol services and other events are organised in each locality.

Christmas street decorations. For a very special, spiritual evening, join the congregation at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta for candlelit carol singing. Other Baroque parish churches across the Islands are just as awe-inspiring during advent. Their interiors are decked out in papal crimson and altars are adorned with flowers. All churches have a calendar of events, ranging from the procession of Mary and Joseph, to streets with groups of children carol singing.

Cribs are positively everywhere, from private houses to small chapels. Visiting cribs is a popular activity at Christmastime and many locals spend time going round touring the various ‘presepju’ displays. Some are very artistic and elaborate, with figures moving around mechanically and a degree of detail that comes from hours of meticulous work by dedicated craftsmen.

A Christmas highlight, which is popular for children and adults alike, is the annual pantomime held at the Manoel Theatre and at other venues. It’s a happy mix of good slapstick humour for children and satire for adults.

Restaurants, hotels, bars and clubs all have their own entertainment, making for an abundant choice of what to do and see.

Courtesy: visitmalta.com

On the island of Gozo, special carol singing, Baby Jesus processions by children, concerts and Christmas decor are spread all across the small villages and towns.  In the village-by-the-sea of Ghajnsielem, next to Mgarr fishing hamlet and main harbour of the island, one finds the largest animated Christmas village on the Maltese islands.  It is locally known as Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem.  Definitely a must visit place while on Gozo!  This year’s edition opens on the 11 December 2016 and closes on the 8th January 2017 with the arrival of the Three Kings on horseback.

Please click to see the entire programme of Christmas in Gozo 2016.

Festival Mediterranea on Gozo

Giuseppe Verdi's Aida at Astra Theatre Gozo, Malta

Festival Mediterranea 2016 Gozo

Dates: between 17 October 2016 and 19 November 2016

This is an annual celebration of culture let off at the very heart of the Mediterranean, on the history laden island of Gozo.

Mythology has it that the charm of this island aided the most beautiful nymph Calypso to halt Ulysses on his journeys and hair-raising quests, to lull him, lure him away from his travels for seven mystical years. Today, Gozo’s charm seeks to lure its visitors into a kaleidoscope of events, a celebration at that time of year that is in itself magical in this part of the world. Through Festival Mediterranea’s diverse events, visitors will embark on their very own cultural adventure surfing through the island’s seven thousand years of known history.

The festival uncovers the island in all its aspects, without eliminating the thrills of exploration and discovery. Festival Mediterranea offers all that Gozo boasts of in the cultural and artistic arena. Opera. Classical and symphonic music. A wealth of archaeology and history that is Gozo’s heritage. Folklore and cuisine. The creativity of the Gozitan people who are islanders, a true and genuine people … as are their products. And the backdrop to this festival is Gozo’s sheer, natural beauty in warm autumn, October and November.

Festival Mediterranea unveils Gozo as a mosaic of Mediterranean civilisation, heritage and art. It is indeed a showpiece of a hundred things our own, an opportunity for a break from the routine of conventional life; a chance to immerse oneself in the mellow world of Gozo’s autumn, and explore and live the cultural tradition of its 7000 years of history.

Live the Mediterranean.

…celebrating 7000 years of culture on Gozo.

Click here to download the programme of events: 

Courtesy: http://www.mediterranea.com.mt/