Nadur 2003: Year in Review
by Pierre J. Mejlak
Many
believe that news
is the first rough draft of history. The year 2003 will surely be
remembered as the year when the Maltese people decided that Malta should join the European Union. It was
also the year of Malta’s Eurovision Song Contest flop which triggered lengthy discussions.
It was also quite a busy year for Nadur and its people. While many
Nadurin lost precious time arguing whether the Nadur Church should
be decorated as it was in the past, a busy Local Council kept
transforming Nadur into a beautiful town and winning a record
number
of Sebbah Pajjizek Awards. It was also a most successful year
for Nadur Youngsters. This is the spirit that June29th.com captures
in this report, as it has done in the past two years.
January 2003
01:
The
year 2003 kicked off in prayer at Nadur's Basilica. The
annual Kwaranturi, a special 40-hour marathon of prayer and
thanksgiving, started in Nadur on December 30th and ended on January
1st. The first 2003 Procession had to be called off due to
strong winds. The procession of the Holy Mary, Queen of Peace, was
however held in Church.
February
2003
22:
Nadur
mourned the death of Joseph Grech (Gelluxa). Mr Grech was one of the
Honorary Presidents of the Mnarja Philharmonic Society. Throughout
his life he constantly helped all Nadur organizations in all
their respective needs. Apart from his involvement in the
Mnarja Band, he was also a special benefactor for both the Parish
and the football club.
March 2003
01–04:
For yet another year the Nadur Carnival gathered thousands of
people, both on Sunday afternoon for the official celebration and
throughout the five evenings for the macabre fiesta! Thousands of
Gozitans, Maltese and even tourists flocked December 13th Street and
joined the local maskarati. Political satire generated
particular interest in local press.
A
june29th.com interview with anthropologist Vicki Ann Cremona created
quite a stir, with the Local Council taking a number of measures to
keep the traditional Nadur Carnival alive.
08:
All
Nadur eligible voters were called to the polls to decide on whether
Malta should join the European Union or not on May 1st, 2004. The
Nadurin voted at Dun Salv Vella Primary School at Racecourse Street.
The Maltese people voted in favour of Malta’s
accession to the EU.
30:
The Nadur Local
Council inaugurated a small playing field and a bowls pitch at San
Blas. Mayor Dr Chris Said also revealed a new plan to transform the
Qortin quarry into a recreational park, with endemic trees.
31:
Nadur
Youngsters won the second consecutive Freedom
Cup. The Youngsters
won the cup at the expense of rivals Ghajnsielem FC with three goals
to nil.
April
12:
Election
Day in Malta. All Nadur eligible voters were called to head to the
polls to vote in what was probably the most important General
Election since Malta was granted Independence in 1964. Two Nadurin,
Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Nadur Mayor Chris Said, contested
the election. Giovanna Debono won 6,591 first-count votes, while Dr
Said received 1,323 votes.
18: Good Friday. Nadur commemorated the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Following a special service at Church, the Good Friday procession went round the main streets of Nadur.
19:
Nadur Youngsters were declared champions for the seventh time in the
club's history after beating Qala St. Joseph with five goals to
one.
21: June29th.com surprised everyone with Gozo’s biggest
photo gallery. Hundreds of photos of Nadur, its people and its life
were put online for the first time. The photo gallery was positively
reviewed on almost all national newspapers and on foreign magazine
Foto Surf.
May
2003 
04:
Nadur
Youngsters wrapped up their championship commitments by beating
Xewkija Tigers with three goals. The Championship Cup was taken
round Gozo in a celebration-carcade.
25:
Nadur
Youngsters won the Noel Vassallo Cup by beating Zebbug Rovers. The
match was
sealed with penalty shoot-outs, which handed the cup to the whites.
28:
Nadur
Youngsters claimed the Super Cup at the expense of Xewkija Tigers.
30:
The
Nadur Primary School inaugurated its new refurbished
hall. The hall
bears the name of Naduri Dr Joe de Bono, who served as Assistant
Director for Primary Schools between 1979 and 1983.
June 2003
15:
Nadur
Youngsters won its first ever Under 21 Gozo Championship. The Nadur
squad was awarded the championship trophy after a 3-0 victory over
Zebbug Rovers at the Gozo Stadium.
29: Mnarja. The most special day for the Nadurin was celebrated in style. Thousands of Gozitans and Maltese people crowded Nadur’s main streets and enjoyed seeing the Nadurin celebrate!
July 2003
11:
President Guido
de Marco inaugurated a Family Monument at the Council's Garden in
Fatima Street. The monument was designed by renowned Gozitan artist
John Grima.
26: The
Nadur Local Council managed to win four Sebbah Pajjizek
Awards, and came second in two other categories. The Nadur Local
Council was awarded the prize for the best enclosed public garden in
Malta; the best playing field surrounded by trees; the best
residential and commercial community initiative; and the best
initiative for a better locality. The Nadur Local Council also
placed second in the Eco-Tourism Award category and in the category
for the best kept public gardens with playing fields.
30:
Nadur
venerated the relics of St Therese of Lisieux. The mortal remains of
St Therese were brought to Nadur’s Basilica for thirty minutes. A
crowd of Nadurin gathered to venerate the relics of St Therese. The
relics of St. Therese of Lisieux began a pilgrimage of grace,
covering the four corners of the world, in 1994.
August
31: The Delicata Classic Wine Festival, held for the first time in Gozo, attracted hundreds of people. The two-day festival was organized by Delicata in collaboration with the Nadur Local Council at the Fatima Street Gardens.
September
06:
Kenyan
Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga, one of the Church's standout
figures in Africa since the Second Vatican Council, died last
Saturday aged 80. Cardinal Otunga was Nadur’s special guest during
the 1988 Mnarja celebrations, when the Nadur Parish marked its 300th
anniversary.
25:
A large round stone,
initially believed to be an olive crusher but which was later
identified as a grain crusher or flour mill, was discovered at the
outskirts of Nadur. Early indications point to a Bronze Age
settlement, which could date back to around 1500 BC.
October
A
group of 75 Nadurin spent a truly memorable week at Baveno (Italy)
between October 7th and 12th. The group included Local Council
officials, Archpriest Saviour Muscat and representatives of almost
all local organizations. The group was accompanying Mayor Dr Chris
Said who signed Nadur's second twinning agreement.
November
09:
Nadur
celebrated its second feast, St Coronato’s, with a
Solemn Concelebration and a procession through the town's main
streets.
20:
The Nadur Local
Council marked its tenth anniversary by organizing a week of events.
The annual Gieh in-Nadur award was given to veteran educator Dr Joe
de Bono. Official delegations from Cicciano and Baveno were in Nadur
throughout the week.
December
16: Fifteen kilograms of cannabis were found in three plastic barrels in a field in Nadur. The cannabis had been harvested in the past few weeks. Two Gozitan men from Nadur and Xaghra were arrested.
25: Christmas. Nadur joined the rest of the world and celebrated Christmas Day. The MUSEUM (boys) branch presented its Grand Christmas Concert at the Parish Church.
Gozo 2003: A Year in Review
soon on www.maltamedia.com
