Minister for Gozo announces dates for the "Dwejra Festival" event

The upcoming event organised by the Millennium Celebrations Committee within the Ministry for Gozo, is the Dwejra Festival. The Minister for Gozo, the Hon. Giovanna Debono MP, gave a press conference at Dwejra Tower, Dwejra Bay, Gozo, today Friday 13^th August 1999, to launch this festival of folklore and traditions.

The Dwejra Festival will be held between Thursday 19^th to Saturday 21^st August 1999. Throughout the three evenings, the Inland Sea at Dwejra Bay will be transformed into a typical Maltese village, with folklore dancing, performances by traditional folklore bands and ghannejja, as well as dwellings serving as tavernas selling local wine and food.

Thursday 19^th August sees the official opening of the Festival, with an Art Exhibition inaugurated at the Dwejra Tower. This exhibition will feature works by 11 Gozitan artists, with "the Sea" as the focal point of the painting. The paintings will be available for sale.

Purposely for the occasion, the coastal features of Dwejra Bay, such as The Dwejra Tower, The Azure Window, and The Inland Sea, will be specially illuminated. In the evening, whilst enjoying the participation of the Mnarja Folk Group and Gozitan ghannejja, the public will be offered a traditional meal provided by San Lawrenz Leisure Resort.

The mornings of Friday and Saturday, 20^th-21^st August, will be occupied by two guided tours of the area, organised by Wirt Ghawdex. These tours highlight special features such as Dwejra Tower, Fungus Rock, The Azure Window, The Inland Sea, and the Chapel of St. Anne. Both tours include a boat trip around the main features. Booking available from San Lawrenz Local Council is requested since space is very limited. Price for guided tours: Lm2.50 per person.

The folklore group invited to participate on Friday evening is The Aurora Folk Group, whilst the Astra Folk Group and Daphne Lungaro Folklore Dancing will participate on the closing evening.

The festival is organised by the Millennium Celebrations Committee with the Ministry for Gozo, together with the collaboration of San Lawrenz Local Council.