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10 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 1 NOVEMBER 2024 CULTURE Enhancing Gozo's cultural and economic landscape THE Gozo Business Chamber and the San Lawrenz Local Coun- cil organised a business breakfast to discuss the broader influence of culture on Gozo's society and economy. Michael Galea, Presi- dent of the Gozo Business Cham- ber introduced the event. In his intervention he highlighted how a vibrant cultural scene not on- ly attracts tourists but enriches the lives of residents, offering a sense of pride and belonging that strengthens Gozo's social fabric. His intervention was followed by that of the Chairman of the Gozo Action Group Foundation, Joe Cordina who highlighted the importance of these projects be- ing financed under the Leader programme, to further strengthen Gozo's cultural scene. Through her keynote interven- tion Elyse Tonna, Curator and Architect, spoke about the impor- tance and potential of the creative sector for Gozo focusing on the aspects of interdisciplinarity, col- laboration, exchange, and sustain- ability. She highlighted Gozo's cultur- al and creative identity, and the important role of volunteering in the cultural sector. She also em- phasised the need for a localised approach where collaborative investments foster Gozo's devel- opment as a distinctive cultural region. A panel discussion on the impor- tance of culture within the eco- nomic sector in Gozo, followed. Naomi Galea, Cultural Manager within the Gozo Region, high- lighted the importance of inter- nationalisation, and how this can benefit the local cultural sector. Michael Formosa, President of the Soċjeta' Filarmonika La Stella, highlighted the economic impact of large-scale events such as the operas organised by the two the- atres and remarked about the im- portance of acknowledging their impact within the local economy. Dr Michael Caruana, President of the Soċjeta Filarmonika Leone highlighted that the two theatres have provided a significant cul- tural and economic contribution towards Gozo. Nonetheless there is the need for Government to acknowledge their importance by assisting these organisations to invest in the revamp of both the- atres. John Xuereb, Director Cultural Heritage, within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning highlighted the important role of Govern- ment in implementing certain initiatives which continue to val- orise that part of our local cultur- al heritage which may not be so well known. He also highlighted how an innovative approach towards culture can continue to help to- wards its valorisation. Ronald Sultana, Director Tourism and Economic Development within the same Ministry commented that everything impacts tourism, and tourism impacts everything. Within this context culture plays an important role in valorising our tourism product. Finally, Noel Formosa, Mayor of San Lawrenz highlighted how cul- ture can be an important enabler in bringing people together within the community and help foreign people who come to live in Gozo to become an integral part of our communities, while at the same time contributing towards the lo- cal cultural scene. In his concluding intervention the CEO of the Gozo Business Chamber Daniel Borg remarked how culture is the emblem of its people, and that the cultural initi- atives undertaken are an affirma- tion of Gozo's culture and its iden- tity. He highlighted how culture is part of our journey to regain our identity as Gozitans, showing the way on how things can be done in other spheres of society. The Project 'Enhancing the Ru- ral, Artistic Characteristics of San Lawrenz' This initiative is part of the pro- ject entitled 'Enhancing the Rural, Artistic Characteristics of San Lawrenz' which seeks to harness the rich cultural heritage of San Lawrenz as a driver for economic growth. Through strategic collabora- tions with local artists, cultural practitioners, and stakeholders, the project aims to integrate visual and applied arts into the village's tourism landscape. Major components of the pro- ject include the establishment of artist residency programs, the promotion of cultural events, and the enhancement of local cultural infrastructure. These efforts are designed to foster a sustainable, year- round tourism model that not only pre- serves Gozo's unique identity but also bolsters economic resilience and supports the well-being of the local community. This project is financed under the Leader Programme which is supported through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural De- velopment. IN the next public talk tomorrow at 11am at Il-Ħaġar Museum, Dr Noel Buttigieg will discuss bakers and bread-making in 18th-century Malta. Bread was the most fundamental means of survival for the majority of populations in early modern society. Like other Mediterranean communities, the eighteenth-century Maltese popula- tion was profoundly dependent on the acquisition, distribution, processing, and consumption of bread. The Maltese archipelago's strict reliance on grain imports from Sicily is best illus- trated by the complexities surrounding the efficient distribution of grain supplies. Beyond the well-known political in- trigues and economic negotiations relat- ed to grain acquisition, this public talk by Buttigieg will delve into the grain-bread cycle, exploring various aspects of bakers' activities that have so far gone unnoticed. Buttigieg is a senior lecturer and academ- ic researcher at the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture at the University of Malta. He has published several articles on food culture and heritage. He co-au- thored L-Istorja tal-Kultura tal-Ikel f'Mal- ta (2004), Tisjir mill-Qalb (2016 and 2017), and is the co-editor of The Struggle for Supremacy: The Mediterranean World in 1453 and Beyond (2018) and Food as 'Voice' (2020). Earlier this year, he authored Bread and Bakers in Eighteenth-Century Malta (2024). Buttigieg is currently Vice Presi- dent of the Malta Historical Society and a council member of the Sacra Militia Foun- dation. This talk is being held in collaboration with Midsea Books Ltd and Klabb Kotba Maltin. Admission and participation are free, but seat reservations, via email to events@heartofgozo.org.mt, are encour- aged. More details about upcoming events at Il-Ħaġar can be found by visiting the mu- seum's recently launched website: https:// heartofgozo.mt/il-hagar-events-booklet- oct-dec-24/. Bakers and bread-making in 18th-century Malta