Archived Month: April 2003

Nadur Parish marks its 315th anniversary [27/04/03]

The Nadur Parish is marking its 315th anniversary with a special week of events. It was on April 28th 1688 when it was decreed that the east of Gozo, an area comprising Nadur, Qala, Ghajnsielem, Imgarr and Comino, would become a parish. All together they had a population of around 400 people. The shrine of the Immaculate Conception at Qala was to serve as a temporary parish church while a bigger church started being built in Nadur, making the Nadur Parish one of Gozo's firsts. A Solemn co-celebration, led by Mgr Giovanni B Gauci, will take place on Monday afternoon to mark the anniversary. Meanwhile, members of Nadur’s Legion of Mary group marked the occasion by donating blood on Sunday morning. Click here for more information on Nadur’s Parish.

Overwhelming response for new photo gallery [26/04/03]

Five days following the launch of the Nadur Photo Gallery, june29th.com is still being inundated with e-mails from hundreds of Nadurin spread around the world and from local and foreign photo-enthusiasts, who were surprised with our latest project. Special thanks goes out to our friends at searchmalta, di-ve, maltastar, maltamedia and all local newspapers for their promotion and positive reviews. Meanwhile, the june29th.com photo gallery will also be reviewed in June's issue of popular international magazine Foto Surf.

Another entertainment bonanza at the MBC Theatre [25/04/03]

Our colleagues at the Mnarja Band Club are preparing for yet another special entertaining evening on Saturday, May 10th. 

Enjoy Gozo's very best singers, musicians and entertainers in a fun-packed show at Nadur's MBC Theatre. Talented Nadurin will also be on stage. It's all happening the night before Mothers' Day, so make sure you treat your mother to the special night-out! Tickets will soon be on sale at the Mnarja Band Club. We'll be giving more details as we receive them.

Contractors get go-ahead for Dahlet Qorrot WC [23/04/03]

The Nadur Local Council gave its green light to its contractors to immediately start working on the Dahlet Qorrot Public Convenience. MEPA has now issued all permits and the Council awarded all contracts involved. Gatt Construction Ltd were awarded the tender to prepare the site for construction. Said Brothers will build the retaining walls and Gatt Construction will then complete the project, designed by Architect Edward Scerri. While construction work is on, embellishment works will take place in other parts of Dahlet Qorrot Bay. For this purpose the Local Council asked for the service of civil workers to build a number of rubble walls in the area.

GFA Cup: whites beat Hotspurs and move to semi's [22/04/03]

The newly-crowned Gozo Champions navigated the way through to the semi finals of the GFA Cup beating Victoria Hotspurs with four goals to one on Tuesday afternoon. Edoardo do Nascimento (Bizu) opened the score from the penalty spot on the 15th minute. The Brazilian striker doubled the score early in the second half with a wonderful shot. Keeper Kevin Vella did a good job by saving a reds' penalty on the 65th minute. Chris Camilleri made them 3-0 on the 75th minute and 4-0 towards the end of the game. Kim Said gave the reds a consolation goal towards the very end of the match. Click here for statistics and photos. Meanwhile the championship-celebration CDs and cassettes are being sold at the Youngsters Club. They include 11 tracks written by Charlie Grech and sung by Stephen Mizzi. There is a very limited number for sale!

Marcellino Pane e Vino at the MUSEUM centre [22/04/03]

A new born baby is abandoned at the door of a house of Franciscan friars. After baptizing him and giving him the name of Marcellino the friars try to find the best possible future for the baby. Their attempts fail and the baby stays in the friary. Five years go by and Marcellino has become the little king of every day material life in the friary. Among Marcellino's childish temptations there is an outstanding one: to go into an attic where the friars had always forbidden him to go, giving the explanation that there was a man there who might take him away for ever. Live the experience! The MUSEUM (boys) branch is inviting all Nadurin for this year's play, Taghhom Hi s-Saltna Dejjiema (the story of Marcellino). There will be two performances: Sunday, April 27th at 1800 CET and Wednesday, April 30th, at 1930 CET. Click here for more info.

Surprise! Surprise! A new Photo Gallery online [21/04/03]

At june29th.com we're always looking for new ways how to make all Nadurin around the world feel one step closer to home. And that's why we're launching the june29th.com Nadur Photo Gallery, with hundreds of photos of our town, its people and its life. Special thanks goes out to photographer Joe Zammit for accepting our invitation and spending whole days roaming around Nadur shooting thousands of photos. The photo gallery will be updated every now and then with new sections. Click here and enjoy.

It's Easter Sunday! [20/04/03]

Nadur celebrated Easter on a very sunny Sunday. Tourists intermingled with the Nadurin and enjoyed the Easter Sunday procession with the statue of the Risen Christ. Click here for photo.

Meanwhile, children can finally enjoy their figolla - a typical Maltese delicacy associated with this time of Easter. In the following days priests will start going round Nadur blessing all the houses in the parish. All of us at june29th.com would like to wish a very healthy and happy Easter to all Nadurin around the world. May it brings you joy and happiness. We'll be giving you our special Easter gift tomorrow!

Youngsters Champions! [19/04/03]

Nadur Youngsters were declared champions for the seventh time in the history of the club after beating Qala St. Joseph with five goals to one on Saturday afternoon. The Youngsters will be keeping the Gozo Championship for yet another year!

Joseph Grech gave Qala an early lead but Anthony Portelli levelled the score a few minutes later. Nadur went 2-1 ahead with a goal by Edoardo Do Nascimento and then added another three goals by Anthony Portelli, Joseph Portelli and Do Nascimento. The whites are 7-points ahead of Ghajnsielem FC, with the latter having just two game left. The Youngsters will be playing their last game for this year's Championship on May 4th against Xewkija Tigers.

Crowds gather for Good Friday procession [18/04/03]

Nadur commemorated the passion and death of Jesus Christ on Friday. Following a special service at Church, consisting of the Word of God, the Adoration of the Cross and Holy Communion, the Good Friday procession went round the main streets of Nadur. Nadur's  Good Friday procession has nearly the whole biblical story, starting from Adam and Eve. You can enjoy all the procession in our special photo gallery. Meanwhile Michael Xuereb has also got some very interesting shots.

Nadur marks Maundy Thursday [17/04/03]

Nadur joined the Catholic world and marked Maundy Thursday, the day commemorating the Lord's last supper with his disciples, his agony in the garden of Gethsemane and his arrest. Archpriest Mgr Saviour Muscat led the celebration of the Eucharist at the Basilica, with the participation of all Nadur priests. The Archpriest washed the feet of twelve Nadur farmers so as to show how  priesthood is a service to the neglected ones. The Blessed Sacrament was then taken in procession to the altar of repose where it remains until Friday afternoon. The Nadurin kept tradition alive by visiting the 'seven churches' on Thursday evening. Click here for photos.

Meanwhile all Church celebrations and special programs are being streamed live on the internet all day long. Click here and enjoy Radju Luminaria's special Easter schedule.

Youngsters could be Gozo Champions on Saturday [16/04/03]

This Easter could be extra special for the Nadurin as the Youngsters could be crowned Gozo Champions for the seventh time on Saturday. The whites will be facing Qala St Joseph FC, hoping to claim the second Championship in a row. Although there would still be a game left, versus Xewkija Tigers, a victory over Qala St Joseph would put the whites mathematically in as Ghajnsielem FC suffered a 1-0 defeat against Zebbug Rovers on Tuesday. The Youngsters will be facing Qala St Joseph for the 21st time in their history. Charlie Grech has prepared all the statistics.

Modern twist in new Good Friday exhibition [15/04/03]

The Kumitat Armar Pjazza has set up a Good Friday exhibition under Nadur's Church Sacristy. A number of modern artistic works by Nadur artist James Azzopardi are being exhibited for the first time. The exhibition includes a blend of various artistic media, lighting techniques and manipulation of sound. The Kumitat Armar Pjazza has been taking this initiative for the past years. Entrance is free and a memento is given to all those who visit the exhibition. Click here for photos. Meanwhile the Last Supper Exhibition at the MUSEUM (boys) branch has been inaugurated. For a special set of photos and desktop pictures, visit our HolyWeek special feature.

All about Nadur's Good Friday statues [14/04/03]

It's Holy Week in Nadur and the youngsters at the Youth Centre are busily preparing for this year's Good Friday procession, featuring a set of eleven statues. Read all about Nadur's Good Friday statues, their sculptors, donators and history. Canon Joseph Cauchi has prepared a well-researched article, which has just been added to our Holy Week & Easter in Nadur feature. Meanwhile, june29th.com will soon bring you the Virtual Good Friday Procession, in collaboration with Procurator Fr Carm Portelli.

Historic Election: Nadurin called to vote [12/04/03]

It's Election Day in Malta and all Nadur eligible voters are being called to head to the polls to vote in what is probably the most important General Election since Malta was granted Independence in 1964. The Nadurin are voting at Racecourse Street's Primary School. Polling booths opened at 0700 CET on Saturday and will remain open all the time until 2200 CET. Then all ballot boxes are taken to the Ta' Qali counting hall. The first projections are expected on Sunday afternoon. There are two Nadurin contesting the election, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Nadur Mayor Chris Said, both with the Nationalist Party.

Nadur marks a day of devotion [11/04/03]

A huge crowd of Nadurin took part in the procession with the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows. Friday before Palm Sunday is the day dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. The procession started at Grunju Street and went through St Andrews, Old Mill,  December 13th Street and ended up in Nadur's main square. The feast is considered as one of the most revered in the Maltese islands. 

Hundreds of devotees followed the solemn procession and many others decorated their balconies and windows with images and statues of the Holy Mary. There were no statue bearers in this year's procession as the statue was carried round the streets on a construction truck. Click here for a set of photos.

Last Supper display to open on Sunday [11/04/03]

Busy hours ahead for Mark and his team at the boys' MUSEUM centre. The Last Supper Exhibition is set to be inaugurated on Sunday at 0930 CET. "It is not easy to change a common classroom into a first century Jewish Cenacle," coordinator Mark Azzopardi told june29th.com. "We've been working hard since January and now, what looked like a huge mixed-up jigsaw puzzle, is being put in order." The Last Supper Exhibition is open on Palm Sunday from 0930 to 1130 CET; on weekdays from 1830 to 2030 CET; on Maundy Thursday from 1830 to 2300 CET and on Good Friday from 0900 to 1500 CET. Click here to visit our special Holy Week and Easter feature.

Isma', Qis u Aqta' for the 24th year [08/04/03]

The MUSEUM (boys) branch has just organized the 24th edition of the popular quiz "Isma', Qis u Aqta'" (listen, evaluate and guess). The annual quiz is based on the monthly magazine "Nimxu Id f'Id", published by the same branch. Twenty-five youths, divided into four teams, tested their knowledge and memory on three different evenings. Nadur's Regis Philbin, quizmaster Joe Meilak, hosted the quiz for yet another year. Dr Coronato Grech, a monthly contributor on "Nimxu Id f'Id", handed books to all contestants on the final evening. Click here for photo.

Nadur students visit Lunzjata Valley [07/04/03]

Year 3 pupils from Nadur's Primary School have carried out a day's fieldwork at Lunzjata Valley. Mark Azzopardi and assistant head Maria Buttigieg accompanied the students. This trip was part of their science project organized by science teacher Kevin Refalo. The children walked down the Lunzjata Valley, where they were able to study a biologically diverse habitat. The Lunzjata-tour was part of the school's strategy to make learning an enjoyable experience. Click here for enlarged photo.

Young whites pave way for memorable season [06/04/03]

Nadur Youngsters' under-sixteen squad has been crowned Gozo's best on Sunday morning. The young whites defeated SK Victoria Wanderers with six goals to one. The under-fourteen Youngsters team has also won its respective Gozo Championship a few days ago, paving the way for what could turn out as a very memorable season indeed. All thumbs up to Nadur's young players, who have showed commitment and great skills throughout their Championship and to their coaches Eucharist Hili and Joe Portelli. A bright future surely lies ahead for Nadur Youngsters. Click here for photos.

Youngsters beat Hotspurs [05/04/03]

Nadur Youngsters are just two games away from winning another Gozo Championship. The whites faced Victoria Hotspurs on Saturday. Two goals by Edoardo do Nascimento (Bizu) on the 23rd and towards the end of the first half gave the Youngsters another important three points in their quest to retain the Championship. The Youngsters are now four points over Ghajnsielem FC, who still have a match at hand. Qala St Joseph and Xewkija Tigers are the only two opponents left for the whites.

New feature on Holy Week & Easter in Nadur [02/04/03]

How is the Good Friday Procession in Nadur organized? And what about the popular Last Supper Exhibition at the MUSEUM branch? How are figolli and other Easter delicacies made? And what determines the date for Easter Sunday? June29th.com has got all the answers in our special Holy Week & Easter in Nadur feature. Read more about traditional, religious, astronomical and gastronomical aspects of the greatest celebration in the Christian calendar. Click here and enjoy.

New programs in Radju Luminaria's Spring schedule [01/04/03]

Hundreds of Nadurin around the globe can tune in to a new schedule unveiled by Radju Luminaria on Monday. The Spring-schedule is offering a blend of infotainment and religious programs, including daily religious thoughts, band show, interviews, classical music, French lessons, weather reports and a fresh music variety all day long. The Holy Rosary and Mass are also being aired every day. Check out the new schedule and listen live to Nadur's radio station online. 

news editor: Pierre J. Mejlak