Naduri's heavenly art on display in Gozo [25/08/05]

Masterful works by Naduri Fr Charles Vella form the centerpiece of an exhibition on the theme Christ Celebrated in Art, put up by the Sacred Art Commission and being held in Gozo until August 28. Various stages from Passio Domini, the Passion of the Christ, are on display. The hand-made works reveal the artist's profound knowledge of anatomy and the eloquent expressions of the statues are hard to describe in words. The exhibition is being held in the hall of the Gozo Ministry in Victoria and also features works by Austin Camilleri, George Fenech, John Grima, Louis Rengee, Mark Sagona and Paul A. Stellini, among others. Fr Vella's works are chronicled in a catalogue compiled by Kevin Sciberras. Fr Vella is working on other pieces for an exhibition on Sacred Art in Wax, to be held in Lipari next March as well as for another local exhibition later in the year. Between now and March he will be traveling to Lipari to carry out restoration works on two altar pieces at the Lipari Cathedral while also working on a Neapolitan Crib that will this year be shown in Republic Street, Valletta. (source: Natalino Fenech, The Times)

In Vino Veritas [21/08/05]

No wonder the people of Zebbug did not like it that this year's Nadur Delicata Classic Wine Festival clashed with their parish feast. The event is attracting bigger crowds every year. The three-day Nadur Delicata Classic Wine Festival, being held for the third consecutive year, wraps up this evening at the Council's Garden in Fatima Street. Entry to the festival, which kicked off on Friday, is free and visitors can try as many wines as they like from a vast choice on offer by buying an official souvenir wine glass which they can then keep. Throughout the evening numerous wines from Malta-grown grape varieties will be available including favourites such as Gran Cavalier, Medina Vineyards and Victoria Heights and new wines like Fior del Mondo and Grand Vin de Hauteville Shiraz Cabernet. There is also live entertainment. Click here for photos of this year's festival.

Almost 4,800 people live in Nadur [10/08/05]

Nadur's population went up to 4,798, according to the latest figures published in the official government gazette. A census carried out in 1667 had revealed that there were 178 people living in Nadur. The town's population has been, since then, almost constantly on the rise. From 470 in 1702, Nadur's population went up to 759 in 1726; 1,927 in 1781;  2,100 in 1797; 3,295 in 1842 and 3,548 in 1881. It then decreased to 3,460 in 1921 and to 3,354 a decade later. There were 3,465 people living in Nadur in 1948; 4,136 in 1957; 3,694 in 1967 and 3,482 in 1985. Visit aboutmalta.com for more information about the development of the village unit in Gozo after 1575.

Nadur Parish publishes brochure for visitors [05/08/05]

The Nadur Parish has just published a new brochure for all those visiting Nadur's Basilica. The brochures are available in English, French, German and Italian. The brochure includes information about the history of Nadur, the erection of the Parish, the Church, the titular painting, the Church's interior decoration, the central and the side altars, the statues and Mnarja, Nadur's feast. All those visiting Nadur's Basilica are being invited to take a brochure to learn more about Nadur's Parish and to keep as a memento of their visit. Click here for a virtual tour around Nadur's Church.