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gozotoday | FRIDAY • 31 OCTOBER 2025
CULTURE
TUESDAY marked Jum
Għawdex, a day dedicated to
honouring Gozo's rich her-
itage, resilience, and unique
identity.
Festivities began with a
Pontifical Mass at the Gozo
Cathedral, celebrated by
Bishop Anton Teuma, fol-
lowed by a wreath-laying
ceremony that paid tribute to
Archpriest Saver Cassar, the
leader of Gozo's 1798 revolt
against French occupation.
Jum Għawdex, or Gozo Day,
commemorated that historic
triumph on 28 October 1798,
when the Gozitans reclaimed
their island — a defining mo-
ment that continues to sym-
bolise Gozo's bravery and
spirit of independence.
Later that evening, Inde-
pendence Square in Victo-
ria hosted the annual Ġieħ
Għawdex Awards Ceremo-
ny, organised by the Regional
Council of Gozo in collabo-
ration with the Ministry for
Gozo and Planning and the
Circolo Gozitano.
President Myriam Spiteri
Debono personally present-
ed this year's honours to Joe
Bajada, recognised for his
lifelong dedication to sport
and the Gozitan athletic
community, and to Rev. Mi-
chael Xuereb, commended
for his devoted service and
commitment to the people of
Gozo.
Gozo marks
anniversary of
liberation from
French rule
The occasion marks the day when Gozo was liberated from French occupation, briefly gaining autonomy from Malta
