Folklore brings Festival Mediterranea to an end

An evening of folklore with the participation of four groups from Gozo, Italy, Portugal
and the Czech Republic will bring to a close the ninth edition of Festival Mediterranea,
organised by volunteers at Teatru Astra to celebrate local culture.

Saturday 27th November’s folklore evening, entitled L-Ghabex and which starts at
7.30pm, entails a 2-hour performance by the four participating folk groups at Teatru
Astra, entrance to which is free of charge although donations to the Malta Community
Chest Fund will be appreciated. The four groups participating are Astra Folk Group
(Gozo), I Salviani (Italy), Grupo Etnográfico de Danças e Cantares do Minho (Portugal),
and Dylen Folk Group (Czech Republic).

Besides closing this year’s edition of Festival Mediterranea, the evening is a highlight
of a five-day International Folklore Festival being organised by Astra Folk Group to
commemorate its 40th anniversary.

The Folk Festival, being done in collaboration with the Victoria Local Council, starts
tomorrow, Wednesday 24th November and runs until Sunday 28th November. The first
day includes two performances for the elderly in Gozo, at the Gozo Day Centre for the
Elderly and at the Gozo General Hospital. On Thursday morning the four groups will
parade in the streets of Valletta, and in the evening participate in an evening performance,
starting at 7.30pm, at Zejtun.

Friday morning sees the four participating groups take part in a flag hoisting ceremony
in St Francis Square in Victoria, a folk show at the Gozo Sports Complex for school
children, and an evening Gala Dinner and Wine Festival at St George’s Square in
Victoria. In case of inclement weather, the evening activity will be transferred to Teatru
Astra.

Besides Saturday evening’s performance, throughout the weekend the International Folk
Festival includes a Saturday morning performance at Independence Square in Victoria,
a Sunday morning parade throughout the Victoria town core, a traditional wedding
re-enactment at St George’s Square, and an evening show that closes off the five-day
festival.

Other than the Gala Dinner / Wine Festival, all events held within the International Folk
Festival are free of charge.

mediterranea.com.mt / www.lastella.com.mt

23.11.2010