The Xaghra Local Council paid an official visit to Italy for the international meeting of cities and villages who produce figs as one of their typical products. This visit was held on a special invitation by Mr. Vincenzo De Leonardis who is the main coordinator of the Figs Festival which is held annually in Bari during this time of the year.

Mr. De Leonardis was in Xaghra between 20^th and 22^nd April 2010 with whom we discussed the organisation of the Figs Festival which is scheduled to be held in Xaghra during the last weekend of this month.  In Xaghra, there are a lot of farmers who cultivate figs in their fields. This fruit has several utilities in the kitchen and for medicinal purposes. This interest in the cultivation of figs increased in October 2009 when the Council was invited to take part in an interesting exhibition related to this product held in Carmignano.

Between Saturday 28^th and Sunday 29^th August, a folkloristic evening was held with the participation of the Xaghra Folk Group who went abroad to Italy with the delegation from the Local Council. During a short speech made for this occasion, Mayor Joseph Cordina thanked all those who made this event possible. The full text is given here for your attention:

Signori presenti per questa attivita’,

Prima di tutto, vi ringrazio per l’ospitalita’ che voi avete dato alla nostra delegazione che viene da Xaghra Malta. Il nostro comune è molto lieto di partecipare in questo incontro internazionale della citta’ del fico e sta preparando per l’organizazzione di una festa a Xaghra durante il sabato 25 e la domenica 26 settembre.

Il comune di Xaghra è anche allegato nel ficusnet che è la rete mediterranea delle citta’ del fico. Vorrei ringraziare particolarmente il Signor Vincenzo De Leonardis che è responsabile di questa’ attivita’ – lui è molto accogliente e amicevole. Se non era lui, noi non siamo qui. E il nostro piacere che il comune di Xaghra e altri comuni che producono fichi organizzano attivita’ simile a questa per conoscere meglio l’arte della culvitazione dei fichi.

Vi ringrazio per un’altro volta e vi auguro una bella notte!

During their visit in Italy, those who attended had the opportunity to visit and pray on the grave where the popular saint Pius of Pietrelcina is buried.  The delegation returned back to Gozo on Tuesday 31^st August 2010. The next event to be organised by the Council is the FIGS FESTIVAL on Saturday 25^th and Sunday 26^th September 2010. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Since this is the last website update before the titular feast day of the Nativity of Our Lady, the Xaghra Local Council wishes A HAPPY FEAST to all the residents and those who will be visiting our village during these festive days!!

Photos to be uploaded later on.