Archived Month: April 2004

Nadur Parish marks its 316th anniversary [28/04/04]

The Nadur Parish is marking its 316th 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 Gozo Bishop Nicholas Cauchi, took place on Wednesday afternoon to mark the anniversary.

St Peter & St Paul statue restored  [26/04/04]

Nadur artist James Azzopardi has just restored the statue of St Peter and St Paul, which is carried through Nadur's main roads on June 27th, two days before the Nadurin celebrate their feast. The committee responsible for Nadur's main square feast decorations commissioned the work. Gozo Bishop Nicholas Cauchi will be blessing the statue on Wednesday, when Nadur's Parish marks its 316th anniversary. Click here for photos of the restored statue.

Victoria Hotspurs humiliate Nadur Youngsters  [25/04/04]

Three goals by Victor Egere and four by Uwa Ogbodo enabled Victoria Hotspurs to register a shock 7-2 win over champions Nadur Youngsters who therefore missed the chance to move on top of the Easy Line First Division in Gozo, at least temporarily. Anthony Portelli gave Nadur the lead but the Hotspurs soon turned the score in their favour. Alex Simoncic scored the other goal for the Youngsters. Click here for a match report. In another match, Ghajnsielem defeated Xewkija Tigers 2-1. Brian Meilak put the Blacks ahead, Saviour Farrugia levelled the score but Kalenga Ndayi restored the lead for Ghajnsielem. [source: maltafootball.com]

Work on Dahlet Qorrot Public Convenience completed [19/04/04]

The work on the first Public Convenience at Dahlet Qorrot Bay has been completed. The work was supposed to be done by the government but seeing it would have taken a long time, the Nadur Local Council decided to roll up its sleeves and carry out the work. "We have spent a lot of money to build this project and now we hope that there will not be any vandals leaving their mark," Mayor Chris Said told nadur.gov.mt. This is the first Public Convenience ever built at Dahlet Qorrot Bay.

Youngsters beat Kercem Ajax  [17/04/04]

Nadur Youngsters have maintained their second place in the Gozo First Division League, beating Kercem Ajax with three goals to one on Saturday. Anthony Portelli, Chris Camilleri and Joseph Portelli scored for the whites. Click here for a match report prepared by Charlie Grech. With four games to go, the Youngsters are still two points behind leaders Zebbug Rovers. The Youngsters will now face Victoria Hotspurs on Sunday April 25th. Meanwhile, the Gozo Football Association has scheduled the G.F.A. Cup final between Nadur Youngsters and Zebbug Rovers for Sunday, June 6th.

Something beautiful for God  [16/04/04]

Fr Raymond Portelli has for the past nine years been a missionary priest in Iquitos, Peru, where he is also studying medicine. Together with Fr Alex Cauchi, from Gharb, the Nadur priest has opened a home for AIDS patients who are in dire need of a dignified way in which to suffer this horrendous disease. Iquitos is the second city in Peru with high absolute figures of diagnosed AIDS patients. In an article recently published on The Times, Fr Ray gives a touching account of his experience and makes a heartfelt appeal for help with his work. Click here to read the article.

Nadur to be crowned World Carnival City next month  [15/04/04]

The Foundation of European Carnival Cities (FECC) will be honouring Nadur as the 'World Carnival City' on May 29th during its 24th International Convention to be held in Pernik, Bulgaria. Nadur Mayor Dr Chris Said and Tourism Minister Dr Francis Zammit Dimech will on that day invite all FECC delegates to visit Nadur in May 2005 for the silver jubilee convention. The Nadur Local Council has already drafted the programme for next year's convention. Nadur will be the World's Carnival City from May 29th, 2004, until June 2nd, 2005.

Euro Greens Secretary General visits Nadur [13/04/04]

Professor Arnold Cassola, Secretary General of the European Green Party, has recently visited Nadur and enjoyed meeting the Nadurin. Professor Cassola, who was in Malta for a short Easter vacation, visited the Last Supper Exhibition at the MUSEUM branch, enjoyed an art exhibition at the Ta' Kenuna Tower and had talks with members of Ghaqda Rihana, the local pro-environment lobby group. Professor Cassola, the only Maltese Green candidate for the June 12th European Parliament Elections, praised the Nadur Local Council for a number of initiatives taken during the past years.

Youngsters snatch one point in six-goal clash [11/04/04]

Nadur Youngsters managed to snatch one point in Sunday's match against Xewkija Tigers. The Nadur squad was down three goals to two, when Alexander Simoncic gave the whites a deserved draw towards the end of the match. Chris Camilleri notched a brace earlier on. This was the whites' first game of the third and final round of the Gozo First Division League. Also on Sunday leaders Zebbug Rovers won another three points after beating Sannat Lions with four goals to one. The Rovers have now extended their lead to five points, although they have played an extra game. Click here for a match report prepared by Charlie Grech.  

It's Easter Sunday! [11/04/04]

Tourists intermingled with the Nadurin on Sunday and enjoyed the Easter Sunday procession with the statue of the Risen Christ. 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 the Nadurin around the world. May this Easter brings you joy and happiness. Click here for a seasonal commemorative e-card.

Nadur Good Friday procession attracts crowds [09/04/04]

Nadur on Friday commemorated the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Following a special service at Nadur's Basilica, 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 includes nearly the whole biblical story, starting from Adam and Eve. The wonderful weather on Friday encouraged hundreds of people to enjoy the procession. Meanwhile, you can enjoy scores of photos of the Nadur Good Friday procession by clicking here.

Nadur celebrates Maundy Thursday [08/04/04]

Nadur on Thursday joined the rest of the Catholic world and commemorated 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 men 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. Meanwhile all Church celebrations are being streamed live on Nadur's community radio station.

Good Friday exhibition [07/04/04]

For yet another year, the Kumitat Armar Pjazza has set up an exhibition on the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The exhibition, Insawwab l-Ilma Fuq Art Ghatxana, is being held under Nadur's Church sacristy. A number of modern artistic works by Nadur artist James Azzopardi are being exhibited for the first time. Guza Attard, Jason Muscat, Eucharist Camilleri and James Azzopardi were amongst the volunteers working on the exhibition. The exhibition will remain open to the public until the end of the week. Entrance is free. Click here for a set of photos.

Last Supper Exhibition inaugurated [05/04/04]

If you happen to be in Gozo this week you are cordially invited to visit the MUSEUM branch in Nadur to experience the Last Supper Exhibition. It has become an important annual event. This year's exhibition was inaugurated on Palm Sunday. The exhibition was set up for the first time in 1989 and every year the members of the Nadur MUSEUM branch come up with something new, though always faithful to Jewish culture and traditions. The exhibition is open every day, until Easter Sunday. Click here for photos and visit our special feature for the visiting hours.

Baveno-twinning means new opportunities, says Mayor  [04/04/04]

Nadur Mayor Dr Chris Said thanked the Nadurin for the way they greeted their new friends from Baveno during their short yet wonderful stay in Gozo. The Nadur Local Council has just signed its second twinning agreement with an Italian town, Baveno, following the twinning with Cicciano a few years ago. "We are not signing these twinning-agreements for the sake of signing them," Mayor Said told june29th.com. "This is an excellent opportunity to build bridges between peoples of different cultures. It is also the perfect opportunity for our people to visit a foreign country, learn to appreciate differences and to establish contacts." A number of Nadurin have already been invited to spend six months living and working in Baveno. "Together with the Bavenesi, we are working on ways how to exploit all possible opportunities for the best benefit of our citizens." Visit the Nadur Local Council website for photos and other information.

Nadurin mark a day of devotion [02/04/04]

A crowd of Nadurin on Friday 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 Archpriest Saver Cassar Street, went through Karlu Zimech Street, Kenuna Tower Street, Telegraph 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. Visit our special feature for more photos.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Nadur's Primary School [02/04/04]

The Nadur Primary School has recently produced highlights of the stage version of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Mark Azzopardi and Gordon Grech directed a cast of 120 pupils. The show was presented during the school's Prize Day, where Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono handed out prizes to those who gained the highest marks in their annual exams. Prizes were also given to those who participated in the football and netball teams and the Carnival dance group. Nadur Mayor Dr Chris Said and Education Department officials were also present. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was also performed for the Baveno delegation.

news editor: Pierre J. Mejlak