Frans Camilleri wins 'Gieh in-Nadur' Award [30/01/03]

Nadur's mouth painter Frans Camilleri has won the 'Gieh in-Nadur' Award. The award is given every year to a person who honours Nadur with a special commitment. The Nadur Local Council will officially hand Frans Camilleri the 'Gieh in-Nadur' Award on February 10th at the MBC Theatre. 

Frans Camilleri, a quadriplegic since 1978 due to a diving accident, is now a leading Maltese mouth painter. His works have been exhibited on numerous occasions, claiming excellent reviews. Click here to get to know Frans Camilleri's story.

Joseph Said, Professor Peter Paul Zerafa, Giovanna Debono, Damian Said and Daniel Vella were also nominated for the award.

'Il-Hbieb Isejhu' February issue is online! [29/01/03]

A new edition of your favourite online magazine is now available! Il-Hbieb Isejhu's February issue is packed with really great stories. Check out John Blanchard's story on his much awaited date in New York! It's a perfect read to kick off  Valentine Month! And Dr Coronato Grech says we're not living in the worst of times as many believe!

Read about Arthur Miller, Leonardo da Vinci and a super-fast taxi driver!  Click here and enjoy.

Council of Europe notes political satire in Nadur [28/01/03]

A recent Council of Europe report states the Nadur Carnival is the only Carnival celebration in the Maltese Islands featuring political satire. The report prepared by the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Culture was discussed and approved a few weeks ago in Strasbourg and forms part of the European Program of National Cultural Policy. June29th.com has just got hold of this report.

Click here for more.

Carnival feature on soon  [27/01/03]

In a few days time, june29th.com will start its Carnival 2003 countdown. We are preparing a special feature to introduce you to one of the most special weeks of the year.

All those who wish to include their special Carnival photos, articles or views on the Nadur Carnival are being invited to send them over in the coming days. Carnival Week kicks off on February 28th.

Doctor says whites could have sustained serious injuries  [25/01/03]

Speaking to june29th.com a few hours after the Youngsters-Tigers clash on Saturday, Nadur Youngsters FC doctor Mario Saliba said the whites could have sustained serious injuries. "The Tigers were playing for the man and not for the ball." 

Dr Saliba said Paul Camilleri's knee injury is not very serious. "He is not suffering from any fractures or thorn ligaments or tendons but from a severe torsion sprain which needs a couple of days of complete rest and some anti-inflammatory agents for the swelling and pain." Bizu's head injury, sustained at the end of the first half, was a very minor one. "He was so pleased to score the penalty that he immediately forgot his head trauma!" Dr Saliba said.

Youngsters silence tigers, ready for Ghajnsielem [25/01/03]

A determined Nadur Youngsters made another important step ahead, beating Xewkija Tigers with two goals on Saturday. Hundreds of people gathered at the Gozo Stadium to live the weekend's hottest match. After a balanced first 45 minutes, the whites went out of the changing rooms very eager to make this Saturday a special one. Anthony Portelli (Baggio) opened the score and a few moments later also gave Edoardo Do Nascimento (Bizu) the right opportunity to register his first goal in white from the penalty spot.

The Youngsters will now face league-challengers Ghajnsielem FC on February 9th. Click here for more photos!

Youngsters prepare to face Xewkija Tigers [23/01/03]

Nadur Youngsters have two hard nuts to crack in the coming two Gozo League games. The whites will face Xewkija Tigers next Saturday at 1430 CET at the Gozo Stadium. Ghajnsielem FC will be next on February 9th.

“We’re now heading into a delicate phase, where losing points could be extremely detrimental,” Club Manager Chris Said told june29th.com. “We will have all the players, including Bizu, available for coach Teddie Bajada. I’m sure all our players will do their best to keep moving ahead. Our aim is to keep the Gozo Championship at home and we shall struggle up till the very end.”

Martin Sapiano to host Sunday Carnival Show [22/01/03]

Popular radio-presenter Martin Sapiano will host this year's Sunday Carnival Show on March 2nd. "I can't wait to be there!" a bubbly Sapiano told june29th.com. "I have heard so much about the Nadur Carnival and I'm really eager to taste the experience!" Whether he's chatting on the Calypso FM airwaves every afternoon or entertaining on the stage, Martin Sapiano can always manage to make his audience laugh.

This year's Sunday Carnival Show will also feature special bands from Gozo and Germany, a number of big and small floats, local dance companies, colourful costumes and much more! Stay tuned for more details.

Melbourne Bishop to join Order of St Peter & St Paul [20/01/03]

Melbourne’s Bishop Mark Coleridge has accepted his nomination to become a Member of the Order of St. Peter and St Paul. Bishop Coleridge will be appointed an official member of the Order on June 29th, 2003 during the Solemn Mnarja Mass in Melbourne.

The newly-appointed Bishop will be the second Bishop to join the Order of St Peter & St Paul. The Order, founded by Naduri Peter Paul Portelli, is represented in Australia, Malta and Croatia, bringing together devotees of Nadur's Patron Saints.

Bizu replaces Okoro, who joins Sannat Lions [18/01/03]

Edoardo Do Nascimento (Bizu) is now an official Nadur Youngsters player after agreeing to a five-month contract. Although Marsaxlokk, Birkirkara and Mosta were willing to sign Bizu, the 23-year-old Brazilian striker decided to join Gozo's Champions.

"I am really looking forward to this new experience in white," Bizu said. "The great reception I was given when I visited your club recently convinced me that it was the right decision for me." Bizu described the Youngsters as a team which is always ready to gain more honours. "I have joined an ambitious club and I hope I'll be able to help the whites win the league again." Meanwhile, Nigerian striker Maczerob Okoro has joined Sannat Lions. We wish Okoro the best of luck and thank him for all his hard work with the whites.

More June29th CDs now out! [18/01/03]

A whole new stock of the popular June29th CD is now available! All the Mnarja 2002 CDs were snatched in a few days time leaving many Nadurin and emigrants longing for one! For the past months june29th.com was inundated with e-mails asking for this CD. 

It's time to start preparing the celebrate another big feast in style. Click here to purchase the June29th CD.

It's getting closer and closer... [17/01/03]

Less than forty days to go for the craziest, funniest and most spontaneous event in the Maltese Islands! The Nadur Local Council has just published its official Carnival 2003 program, kicking off on Wednesday 26th February at Nadur's Playing Field. 

June29th.com is currently collaborating with the Nadur Local Council for a not-to-miss Carnival warm-up under a huge tent! More details will be out very soon!

Meanwhile two bands from Germany have also confirmed their participation and will make it in time for the Nadur Carnival! The Sunday Carnival show will also be streamed live on the internet at di-ve.com. Click here for details.

Bizu arrives in Nadur to help Youngsters top the chart [15/01/03]

What june29th.com revealed a few days ago has now been confirmed. Brazilian striker Edoardo Do Nascimento, popularly known as Bizu, arrived in Nadur on Tuesday, very eager to help the Youngsters move ahead and win another Championship.

Bizu, who has played with Brazilian clubs Santos FC, Nova Andradina and Maltese sides Floriana FC and Sliema Wanderers, will do his first training session with the rest of the whites on Thursday. Although he has not yet officially signed with the Youngsters, he should be in action against Xewkija FC on January 25th.

Painting by Nadur artist unveiled in New York [12/01/03]

A portrait of the Prince of the Imperial House of Leopardi di Constantinople, painted by Naduri Joseph Engerer, was recently unveiled at Piermont in New York. Mr Engerer has also been painting portraits of the Presidents of Malta for La Cour Boucliers, a historical museum run by Daniel Vella at Piermont.

Mr Vella's historical museum at Piermont, which he has been creating for the past years, pays tribute to the Order of St John and to the history of Malta.

Enterprising Youngsters wear down Qala St Joseph [11/01/03]

Nadur Youngsters on Saturday bagged three deserved points after beating Qala St Joseph with four goals to one. The Youngsters are now temporarily leading Gozo's top-division league. After the initial 45 minutes, the whites had already sealed their victory with a goal by Paul Camilleri and two others by Nigerian striker Maczerob Okoro, including a penalty. Joseph Portelli (Kangu) made the score more baggy for the whites with another goal in the second half. Qala St Joseph managed, however, to start bridging the billboard gap with a penalty towards the end of the game.

It was an overall easy game for the whites, who must now prepare to go through the 'fortnight of truth'. The Youngsters will be facing Xewkija Tigers on Saturday 25th and main challengers Ghajnsielem FC on Sunday, February 9th.

Exclusive Youngsters negotiating deal with Bizu [10/01/03]

June29th.com can reveal that Nadur Youngsters' Manager Chris Said is negotiating a deal with Brazilian striker Edoardo Do Nascimento, popularly known as Bizu. 

"I can't confirm anything at this stage," Manager Said told june29th.com. "Yet we are negotiating with Bizu and, hopefully, we would be able to give our supporters a wonderful surprise in a few days time." Bizu recently said he had contacts with Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk and has also attracted interest from a Portuguese Second Division side.

Meanwhile the Youngsters could get back on top of the Gozo League Chart if they beat Qala St Joseph on Saturday. The game starts at 1230 CET. The whites will be playing without Chris Camilleri and Giovann Vella, who are still injured. Paul Camilleri and Anthony Portelli will be back in the squad. In the first round, the whites managed to beat Qala with just a goal. 

St Blaise feast to be celebrated for first time [10/01/03]

The feast of St Blaise will be celebrated for the first time in Nadur this year, on February 4th. San Blas is one of Nadur's biggest localities, incorporating one of Gozo's most beautiful bays. The Nadur Local Council will organize a number of activities in the San Blas area on Sunday February 9th to mark the feast.

Meanwhile, click here to read more about San Blas Bay. St Blaise was the Bishop of Sebastea in Armenia and was martyred in the early fourth century. 

Two important meetings ahead for Nadur residents [09/01/03]

The Nadur Local Council will be calling two important meetings in the coming days to discuss boathouses at Dahlet Qorrot, a new open market in Nadur and a Sports Centre at Xandriku Street. The first meeting, scheduled for January 13th at 1900 CET, is open for all those owning a boathouse without a permit at Dahlet Qorrot Bay and also for those people who own land at Dahlet Qorrot and wish to develop it into a boathouse.

Another meeting, scheduled for January 15th at 1900 CET, will discuss the possibility of setting up a Nadur Open Market. All those present for the meeting will also discuss the Xandriku Street Playing Field, which the Council is planning to convert into a multi-sports centre. The Dahlet Qorrot boathouses meeting will take place at the Council’s Office, while the second meeting will take place at the Nadur Drama School.

New programs on Radju Luminaria [07/01/03]

Nadur's radio station, Radju Luminaria, has unveiled its winter schedule with some new surprises! Live transmissions during the week will kick-off at 1455 CET with a special daily one-hour entertainment show. A new addition to the already varied schedule is Il-Kaz tal-Gimgha, aired every Wednesday and hosted by Mgr Anton Borg and Notary Maria Vella Magro. For the full schedule click here. Radju Luminaria is transmitting live all year round on june29th.com.

Bonello-strike keeps Youngsters' hopes high [05/01/03]

With a superb 15-metre free-kick shot on the 82nd minute, captain Mario Bonello gave the Youngsters a reason to be optimistic. The Youngsters 1-0 victory over Victoria Hotspurs on Sunday did not bring about major changes in the chart as Ghajnsielem battled their way out to a 3-2 win over Zebbug Rovers.

Thumbs up to 18-year-old Nadur Australian Emmanuel Muscat who played his first game with the whites on Sunday. Midfielder Muscat is a former player of Australian clubs George Cross FC and Green Guly FC. Seventeen-year-old Kevin Buttigieg was another new-comer on Sunday. Click here for Match Photos.

Sewage outfall at San Blas to be tackled [05/01/03]

Documents are being prepared to undertake a project to strengthen the sewage system in Nadur and to eventually eliminate the sewage outfall at San Blas, june29th.com was told. According to the approved Gozo Sewage Treatment Plant, the San Blas project is divided into two phases. The first phase will consist of the laying of 1.6 km of mains, which will be completed by the end of this year.

The second phase entails the building of a new pumping station which will be completed during next summer. The project is estimated to cost around Lm240,000.

Order of St Peter & St Paul reaches Austria [04/01/03]

The Order of St Peter & St Paul has just announced the establishment of a new Priory in Austria. Hans Guenter Stiegner was appointed its first Prior.

“This is the sixth Priory of the Order and the third one in Europe,” founder Peter Paul Portelli told june29th.com. Portelli had founded the Order in November 1996 under the patronage of the Nadur Australian Association.

January 1st Procession called off due to strong winds [01/01/03]

The first 2003 Procession had to be called off because of the prevailing strong winds. The procession of the Holy Mary, Queen of Peace, wrapping up a 40-hour marathon of prayer and thanksgiving at Nadur's Basilica (in Maltese kwaranturi), was however held in Church.

A special concelebration, led by Gozitan Bishop Nicholas Cauchi, took place at the Nadur Basilica on Wednesday afternoon. Click here for photos.

A fresh new year for Il-Hbieb Isejhu online! [01/01/03]

It has been part of the june29th.com network since November 1st and its getting more popular week after week. Il-Hbieb Isejhu's January issue is now available online! Check out the new design and enjoy reading wonderful short stories on Voltaire, Charles Darwin, Thomas Hardy, Henry Ford and George Arliss. Get to know who got married to whom in Nadur in the past month and what was said in the latest Youth Meeting at the MUSEUM branch.

Meanwhile, june29th.com would like to thank all the members of the MUSEUM (boys) branch for their support.

Happy New Year 2003! [01/01/03]

And here it is. A brand new year 2003! The guys behind june29th.com would like to wish you, your family and friends a great kick-off of a new year. Let's hope it will bring joy, happiness and good health to all of you. Meanwhile, check out our latest additions: 2002: A Year in Review, Il-Hbieb Isejhu January 03 and a new Photo of the Month.

news editor: Pierre J. Mejlak photos: Ryan J. Meilak