Every year on 8 March, the world pays a very special tribute to all women by dedicating an entire day – the International Womens Day 2018.
Respect, responsibility and support to every woman is surely not limited to just one day. It should and must be every day. But certainly the International Womens Day 2018 is here to remind us of the beauty of each and every woman, irrespective of age, health, history, ideology, race or religion. Respect and love have no boundaries.
Well, on the islands of Gozo and Malta, Women’s day is widely celebrated in schools, at work and in each and every community. Husbands take their wives out for lunch or dinner. Entire families enjoy a nature outing and picnic either by the sea or surrounded by the verdant hills and terraced fields of Gozo.
This day reminds us of another very important one – Mother’s Day which we celebrate soon in May.
So, today like many locals, we celebrated Women’s Day with our family with a difference.
From all the places on Gozo, we chose Dwejra bay for a very important reason. There, we also had a wonderful walk and great lunch at one of the local restaurants.
You may ask: Why did you celebrate Womens Day at Dwejra?
Well, since last year, on Gozo island, the International Womens Day 2018 reminds us of a very sad story here on Gozo. It was actually on Wednesday morning, 8 March 2017 when one of Gozo’s most iconic spots, the Azure Window at Dwejra bay collapsed. Strong winds and big waves which hit the island last year caused this collapse and huge loss for Gozo and all its locals and visitors.
I remember very well receiving a message from one of our guests coming from China who had booked to stay at our Gozo self catering with sea view accommodation asking:
Frank, is it true that the Azure window collapsed? So we can’t see it when we visit and stay at your accommodation?!
Yes, unfortunately it was true. Nature carved it and nature took it back!
Social media and media channels put the Azure Window sad story in their top of the headline news.
The atmosphere on Gozo was a very sad one. The Azure Window was part of us – losing it was and still feels like a beloved person who passed away.
Oh but certainly not everything is lost! Not sure… but maybe the divers are probably the luckiest ones now to explore the Azure Window collapse!
This is because now, already for a whole year, it is becoming like a new diving attraction, of course respecting all environmental local marine laws and restrictions.
A year passed since the Azure Window collapsed. But memories are still very strong.
Celebrating International Womens Day 2018 in Gozo today was maybe a little easier. But in Gozo, it will never ever be the same again.
Happy International Womens Day 2018!
