your gozo guide 01

your

guide

Issue 1 | 11 Feb ‘10

CarnivalvsValentine’sWhat’s CookingGift Suggestions for Your Valentine

Gozo Visitor Information

Property in Gozo

Arkadia Commercial Centre, Victoria, Gozo | Naxxar Road, Birkirkara 18 M

arch ‘1

0

NEW SHOP OPENIN

G IN SLIEMA AT

Editorial

4 - your Gozo guide

Foodstore - MON-SAT: 8AM-7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PM

Department Store - MON-SAT: 9AM -7PM - SUN: 10AM -1PM, 4PM -7PM Circle-A - MON-FRI: 7:30AM -7PM - SAT: 8AM-7PM, SUN: 9AM-1PM, 4PM -7PM

OPENINGHOURS

Amongst us is a double bill weekend with two main calendar events – Carnival and Valentine’s. As many Maltese will be crossing over to Gozo for Carnival, there will still be plenty of love going around as Valentine’s falls on Carnival Sunday. It is time for the crowds to be loud, cheerful, and perhaps mischievous. Then again there will be those who will try to find their own precious space for intimacy and romance.

We at Arkadia will be doing our best to support your visit with the various fashion, home, and food options available at our commercial centre. This publication, the first issue of many to come, will try to provide you with staple information needed during your visit to the

sister island. Be it suggestions for shopping, cooking, eating out, or ways to explore Gozo, the purpose of this publication will always be to facilitate your visit and try to make each and every visit to Gozo a fulfilling one.

It is important to note that we are regularly opening on Sundays with our foodstore only opening in the morning from 10AM to 1PM while fashion and home outlets are all open in the morning (10AM-1PM) as well as in the evening (4PM-7PM).

May the coming weekend be both a fun and romantic one.

Hugs and kisses to all… xox

Welcome to Gozo

Advertising:Tel: 2210 3207 | Mob: 9942 1594E-mail: [email protected]

Produced by:Arkadia Marketing Ltd.Fortunato Mizzi Street, Victoria, GozoTel: 2210 3000 | Fax: 2155 8331E-mail: [email protected]: www.arkadia.com.mt

The Gozo Carnival 8Article by Joseph Bezzina | Photos by Matthew Green

Gozo Cultural Calendar 12Gozo Carnival | Exhibitions | Nightlife

Valentine’s Day Trivia 16

Carnival vs Valentine’s 20Fashion Photo Feature

Gift Suggestions for Your ValentineArkadia Home 23Pearl Health & Beauty 24

What’s Cooking 26Recipes and photos by Claire Borg

Gozo Visitor Information Map of Gozo 32Gozo Mass Times 34Gozo Channel Timetable 36Useful Contact Numbers 37Pharmacy Open on Sunday 37

Property in Gozo 38

Table of Contents

your

guide

The GozoCarnival

Article by Joseph Bezzina

Photos by

Matthew Green

The GozoCarnival

The Gozo carnival has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, a spectator rather than a participator. From the time I could walk I can remember the atmosphere that I experienced on the wondrous days before sombre Lent. The masquerades, the revelry, and the tastes are forever imprinted upon my mind.

Carnival, both the festival and word, are related to Christian Lent. It is in fact held on the six days preceding Lent, from Giovedì Gras to Mardi Gras, from Thursday to Shrove Tuesday. The word actually refers to Lent. It is derived from two Latin words, carne levare or the putting away of flesh, in reference to the forty day period of Lent when fasting and abstinence from meat and its derivatives were practiced by the majority.

The carnival in Gozo dates back to the late Middle Ages. It was a small affair in the beginning; nonetheless it allowed the islanders to relax, to release their burdens, and to recur to revelry. To the dismay of some, it also served as a medium of propagating vices.

In the beginning it was characterised by people wearing all sorts of outlandish costumes roaming the streets late in the evening and at night. The naughtiest, albeit the most characteristic, enveloped their naked body in a white bed sheet to feign as ghosts.

your Gozo guide - 9

Next to be introduced was the komittiva dancing – in which the young and not so young of the village of Xaghra excelled. The dance is carried out by an all-male company of twenty four, half dressed as men, the other half as women. The dancers, holding alternatively a white and red ribbon tied to a pole in the middle, dance to music round the pole forming a design with the ribbons as they move around. It soon

became the traditional Carnival dance in Gozo.

The parade with carnival floats, grotesque masks, dancing companies, and brass bands was ushered in early in the twentieth century. It was only in the 1950s that carnival balls were first held in Gozo in the former BI or British Institute at It-Tokk. Before long, the balls made way for the less informal discos at which revelry and merrymaking reached their very best.

Besides various competitions involving costumes, dancing, grotesque masks, and floats, the organised events include also traditional folkloristic dances and lately a carnival for school children. The main events take place in an enclosure in Pjazza Indipendenza at the very heart of Rabat-Gozo.

Feature

10 - your Gozo guide

Since a score of years, a popular spontaneous carnival takes place at Nadur, providing a hint of traditional satire during this time. Thousands of people from all over Malta and Gozo and from all walks of life join the Nadurin in fancy dress and a thousand and one mask. They walk up and down the main street dressed, or barely dressed. The merrymaking proceeds well into the night.

Carnival in Gozo also provides a special treat for the taste. The earliest were the perlini, oval-shaped sweets made of sugar and mint. As young children we used to follow a reveler chanting: Maskerat tini perlini, ghax warajk ghandek xadina – give me a perlina, as there is monkey at your back. At which, if he was not that poor, he would shower us with a handful of perlini. Next came the helu tal-lewz, almonds coated with sugar available in a wide array of colours. Of Sicilian origin, is the more costly prinjolata, a bell-shaped cake made from pine nuts and sponge cake topped with cream. It is very delicious!

T: 2155 4035

GOZO CARNIVAL

Friday, 12 February

10AM: Victoria Kids Carnival at Saint Augustine Square. All dance companies will parade from Saint Francis Square.

7PM: Victoria Gozo Carnival Opening at Saint Augustine Squareb with the participation of dance companies, musical groups, grotesque masks, and Carnival floats. Entrance in free.

7:30PM: Xaghra Folkloristic Carnival at Victory Square.

9PM: Nadur Spontaneous Carnival, Church Street

Saturday, 13 February

10AM: Victoria Parade with the participation of dance companies from Gozo schools starting from Saint Francis Square leading to a kids carnival to be held at Independence Square.

7:30PM: Victoria “La Notte in Maschera” – Evening Carnival with a variety of activities for all ages organised in the main streets of Victoria. This event is organized by the Victoria Local Council.

7:30PM: Xaghra Kids Carnival at Nazzarenu Square.

9PM: NadurSpontaneous Carnival, Church Street

Sunday, 14 February

10AM: Xaghra Family carnival with a parade starting from Maria Bambina

Events


Street. Carnival specatacle organized at Victory Square from 11:30AM onwards.

3PM: Victoria Grand parade throughout Republic Street with the participation of dance companies, musical groups, grotesque masks, and Carnival floats. Parade to be followed by a Carnival spectacle to be held at Independence Square. Entrance into the enclosure will be permitted on presentation of a ticket costing €5 that can be purchased from the Banca Giuratale.


Monday, 15 February


Tuesday, 16 February

6:30PM: Victoria Final parade and spectacle of the Gozo Carnival throughout Republic Street, Victoria.


4:30PM: McDonalds, ArkadiaCarnival PartyBooking required Tel: 2155 9662

EXHIBITIONS

Sea and Island11 – 16th Feb 2010Banca GiurataleTime: 8.00 – 14.00

Events


An art exhibition by Thomas Suske. On Saturday and Sunday, the exhibition will be open from 9AM to noon.

NIGHTLIFE

Friday, 12 February

10PM: VictoriaKU Club: Ruby&Friends - Arabia

D-Code: Loco Carnival Party

10PM: Xlendi

La Grotta: Rio – The Carnival Edition

Saturday, 13 February

10PM: VictoriaD-Code: Pure Classics

KU Club: Official Nadur Carnival After-Party with Duncan F

10PM: XlendiLa Grotta: Revolution – by Miss Roberta

If you would like to include an activity in our guide please e-mail: [email protected]

VALLETTA | SLIEMA | ST. JULIAN’S | BUGIBBA | GOZO

WHAT EVERY GIRL WANTS THIS VALENTINES IS AT

WHAT EVERY GIRL WANTS THIS VALENTINES IS AT

VALLETTA ST JULIANS BUGIBBA VICTORIA GOZO


There are various theories on the origin of Valentine’s Day, But the most popular dates back to the time of the Roman Empire during the reign of Claudius II, 270 AD.

Claudius didn’t want men to marry during wartime because he believed single men made better soldiers. Bishop Valentine went against his wishes and performed secret wedding ceremonies. For this, Valentine was jailed and was then executed by order of the Emperor on February 14.

While in jail, he wrote a love note to the jailor’s daughter signing it, “From your Valentine.”

Sound familiar?

Valentine’sDay

Trivia

Photography by:

George Saguna

Assisted by Armand Sciberras

Model:

Joanne Vella

Styling:

Maria Muscat

Assisted by Rodienne Xerri

Hair:

Lara Theuma

(Toni&Guy – Arkadia, Gozo)

Make-up:

Daniela Sacco

“It is time for the crowds to

be loud, cheerful, and perhaps

mischievous. Then again there

will be those who will try to find

their own precious space for

intimacy and romance.”

CarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentine’sCarnivalValentin

FROM LEFT: Red Lazy Chair, €255, Arkadia Home | Magazines from Circle-A | FREE bottle of PKNT Rose with a purchase of a MERCI or HAMLET chocolate box, Arkadia Foodstore | Artificial Roses, €1.98 each, Arkadia Home | Joanne on Chair – Jeans, €104, Miss Sixty - Top, €19.50, Orsay - Top, €6.99, Jennyfer - Shoes, €23.15, Boulevard | Black Angel, €28, things* - Red Wings, €20, things* - Red Teddy Bear, €25.51, Arkadia Home | White Angel, €45, things* - Wings, €20, things* | Joanne in Flower Dress, €49.95, Miss Selfridge – Blue Boots, €10.65, Peacocks – Red Top, €12.90, Orsay | Trench Coat on rail, €44.90, Orsay | Joanne in shorts, €26, Peacocks – Top, €22.50, Peacocks – Brown Boots, €100.76, Hush Puppies | Samsonite Luggage – Medium, €109 – Large, €149, Arkadia Home | Joanne in Black Leggings, €4.95, Peacocks – Top, €56, Miss Sixty – Shoes, €23.15, Boulevard – Black Ring, €4.75, things* - D&G Watch, €113.75, Sun Lab – Bracelet, €4.25 each, things* - Lighted Make-up Chrome Mirror, €39.49, Arkadia Home – Lipstick, €9.34, Pearl | Joanne leaving – Top, €6.99, Jennyfer – Shorts, €38, Miss Selfridge – Red Shoes, €29, Peacocks – Necklace, €4, things*

Some easy cooking suggestions while staying over on Gozo.

PASTA WITH CAULIFLOUR AND GOZO PEPPERED CHEESE

What’s Cooking

Recipes & photos by

Claire Borg

Pasta with Cauliflour and Gozo Peppered Cheese.

1 small Cauliflour – washed • and cut into florettes4 pieces fresh garlic – peeled • and finely chopped1 small can of anchovies in • oilolive oil• sea salt and pepper• black olives• 2 Gozo Peppered Cheeselets• 500grms of Spaghetti• Salted Boiling water to cook • pasta and cauliflour

Bring the water to the boil and cook the cauliflour for around 8 minutes. Using kitchen thongs or a large fork, remove the cauliflour from the boiling water and cook pasta in the same water.

Meanwhile, in a large pan, heat up some olive oil and add the anchovy fillets and cook until they crumble up. Add the garlic, being careful not to burn it, and cook together with anchovies. Roughly chop the cauliflour and add. Mix well and add the olives. When the pasta is cooked, drain and

add to the other ingredients. Add more olive oil, fresh black pepper and the finely chopped Gozo cheese on top. Serve warm.

Quick Ftira PizzasFtira type bread or ciabatta (cut open, lengthways)

Parma and Rocket Topping

6 tbsp Tomato passata• 2 tbsp Pesto• 2 Mozzarella di Bufala• 6 Slices Parma Ham• Olive oil• Sea Salt and Pepper• Rocket leaves•

Mix the passata and pesto together and spread over the two halves of the bread. Slice the Bufala Mozzarella and place half of it on the bread. Bake on 180 Degrees Celsius (medium) oven for about 10 minutes until golden. Take out of the oven and place the Parma ham and remaining mozzarella on top and bake for a further 3 minutes. Out of the oven, garnish with rocket leaves and season with salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

your Gozo guide - 27

Fresh Gozo Cheese and Local Sausage Topping

4 Local Fresh Sheep • Cheeslets1 piece local sausage – skin • removedThyme• black pepper• olive oil• sesame seeds•

Crumble the sheep cheese over the two bread halves. Place lumps of local sausage over it, sprinkle with thyme and black

pepper and before placing in the oven drizzle with some olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for about 15 minutes on 180 Degrees Celsius (medium) oven or until golden.

Chocolate Fondue

200grams Good quality • Dark Chocolate (or milk if preferred)50 ml fresh Cream• Pinch of cinnamon • (optional)Pinch of Ground Chilly • (optional)Selection of Fresh Fruits • (washed, peeled and cut)Marshmallows or Biscuits•

Place an ovenproof bowl half submerged in a pot of water and place on a low flame. When the chocolate starts to melt, add the cream and spices and stir until all the chocolate is evenly dissolved. Transfer the chocolate into the fondue mould and light the candle under it to keep it warm. Dip the washed, chopped fruits into the chocolate and enjoy!

QUICK FTIRA PIZZAS

What’s Cooking


CHOCOLATE FONDUEFondue Set, €15 Arkadia Home, Level 2

Vodka Jellies1 Packet Fruit Jelly• Boiling water• Vodka•

Follow the packet instructions on how to make jelly. Instead of using the whole stated amount of water, substitute half of it with vodka. Pour into ice moulds, glasses or shooters, leave to cool, then refrigerate until the jelly sets.

VODKA JELLIES

What’s Cooking

All the ingredients featured in the

recipes above are available from:

VICTORIA - GOZO

Monday - Saturday 8PM - 7PM

Sunday 10PM - 1PM

Shooter Glasses, €0.84 each Arkadia Home, Level 2

ISSUE NO:1

JAN - FEB 2010

SACLA OR

GA

NIC PESTO

WAS €2.88NOW€2.45

Ambient

Size Was Now

Saquella Bar Italia Gran Gusto 250g 2.35 1.99

Sacla Black Olive 200g 1.85 1.57

Lea And Perrins Worchester Sauce 290ml 2.17 1.84

Heinz Baked Beans In Tomato Sauce 200g 0.58 0.49

Heinz Mum`S Own Veg/Chick/Casserole 128g 0.84 0.71

Elle Vire Whole Milk 1ltr 1.05 0.89

Swiss Miss Milk Choc Mix w/Mallows 2.33 1.98

Merysa Chick Peas 0.43 0.37

Pam Original Oil Spray 170g 3.75 3.19

Pam Butter Oil Spray 170g 3.75 3.19

Pam baking oil spray 3.75 3.19

Merysa chick peas 500g 0.43 0.37

Golden drop sun�ower 1ltr 1.15 0.98

Merysa Red Kidney Beans 500g 0.47 0.40

Merysa Cannellini Beans 500g 0.43 0.37

Vitaly’s Capers 370ml 1.51 1.28

Fontinella Fillets Anchovy 50g 0.68 0.58

Realmar Anchovy Fillets In Oil 50g 0.86 0.73

Scottish Pride Double Cream 125ml 0.85 0.72

Mutti Pizza Sauce 210g 0.66 0.56

Mutti Passata in Jar 700gr 1.20 1.02

CerealsQuaker Cruesli Oat So Simple

324g 3.97 3.37

Quaker Cruesli Choc 500g 2.90 2.47

MERYSA BU

TTER B

EANS

WAS €0.43NOW€0.37

JAN - FEB 2010

ISSUE NO:1

JAN - FEB 2010

Arkadia Value leaflet included insideGet that little bit extra with a quick pick of 100 discounted products.

Arkadia Foodstore

Collect a FREE copy from

8/9 Assumption Street / 18 Mons. Luigi Vella Street, Victoria, Gozo | T: 2701 9270 | M: 9901 9270

Our bistro is the sort of place only

locals know about but with the food

and ambiance to charm all. Our menu

is a satisfying mix of the best local

delicacies, pizza, pasta, and grills.

Traditional ‘Fenkata’ and ‘Majjalata’

nights served on request.

Useful Contact Numbers Police: 2156 2040

Emergency Line: 112 Gozo General Hospital: 2156 1600 Tourist Office: 2155 0254 Gozo Channel Co. Ltd: 2210 9000

Pharmacies open this Sunday: Batu Pharmacy Palm Street, VictoriaTel: 2155 1841 Gozo Chemist Mgarr Road, XewkijaTel: 2155 7278

FRESH VALUE FROM OUR FRESH COUNTERS

Get that little bit extrathis Carnival with discount vouchers

on your purchases fromour fresh counters

Free Bottle of Wine with a total purchase of €70or more. Choose from a selection of 5 different imported winesWine bottle offer valid until stocks last.

Butcher Spend €30 & get a €5 discount on your butcher purchase Delicatessen Spend €25 & get a €4 discount from your delicatessen purchase

Fishmonger Spend €25 & get a €4 discount from your fishmonger purchase

Fruit & Veg Spend €20 & get a €3 discount from your fruit & veg purchase

Terms & Conditions: This offer is valid when purchasing from any or all counters. Pre-packs from our counters are not part of this offer. Offer valid at Arkadia Foodstore (Gozo) from Wednesday 10th to Tuesday 16th February, 2010. Other conditions may apply.

OF F E R

O

F F E R

your gozo guide 01

Documents

gozo guidefoodstore

pm circle

gozo naxxar road

gozo channel timetable

gozo mass times

carnival vs valentines

main calendar events

new shop opening