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BANK of Valletta and the Royal Malta Yacht Club launched the 2025 edition of the BOV Gozo Regatta during the official Skip- per's Meeting held at the Club house in Ta' Xbiex. The highly anticipated sailing event that has now become traditional as the first race after the gruelling Rolex Middle Sea Race. The regatta, taking place be- tween the 7th and the 9th No- vember will feature a passage race from the Marsamxett to Mġarr Harbour on Friday 7th November. On Saturday, there will be a series of Round-the- cans races in the Gozo/Comino channel with a race back to Mar- samxett on Sunday. A record 24 Boats have regis- tered for the race weekend that combines social events and a crew dinner together with the racing and culminating with a Prize Giving Ceremony at the Royal Malta Yacht Club on Sun- day 9th November. The regatta, which brings to- gether Malta's vibrant sailing community, is set to showcase competitive spirit, maritime skill, and the natural beauty of Gozo's coastal waters. The event is supported by Bank of Vallet- ta as part of its ongoing com- mitment to promoting sports, sustainability, and community engagement. The Skipper's Briefing served as a platform to brief participants on race logistics, safety proto- cols, and the regatta's sustain- ability goals. Speaking during this meeting, Stefan Abela, CSR Manager at Bank of Valletta, highlighted the Bank's dedica- tion to fostering local talent and supporting initiatives that align with its values of performance, inclusion, and excellence. "The BOV Gozo Regatta is more than a sporting event, it is a celebration of passion, team- work, and the enduring con- nection between Malta's people and the sea," said Abela. "We are proud to support this regatta, which reflects our commitment to empowering communities and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles." "The BOV Gozo Regatta has always been a popular event, and we are proud to once again see a sizable fleet taking to the wa- ter," said RMYC Commodore Mark Napier. "We are thrilled to welcome such a big family of crews taking part. It's a testa- ment to the growing passion for sailing and the inclusive spirit of our Club." The BOV Gozo Regatta will be governed by the World Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing (2025– 2028), IRC regulations, and RMYC class rules. Safety, sports- manship, and fair competition remain at the heart of the event. BOV and the RMYC invite the public to follow the regatta and support the participating teams as they navigate the waters in pursuit of excellence. 5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 7 NOVEMBER 2025 CULTURE BOV and the RMYC launch the BOV Gozo Regatta at skipper's briefing A record 24 Boats have registered for the race weekend that combines social events and a crew dinner together with the racing SINCE its introduction to Malta in 1839, photography has become a vital medium for documenting people, customs, and events. Ar- riving in Gozo somewhat later, it played a crucial role in capturing images of a way of life that has since vanished. In the 4th Pawlu Mizzi Memorial Lecture, tak- ing place at Il-Ħaġar on Satur- day 15th November at 11:00, Dr Charles Paul Azzopardi will ex- plore how both Gozitan and non- Gozitan photographers used the camera to preserve the island's cultural memory. Charles Paul Azzopardi is a physician and photo-historian, whose research explores nine- teenth- and early twentieth-cen- tury photographic practices in Malta. He has contributed as cu- rator and photographic cultural heritage consultant at the Na- tional Archives of Malta and the Richard Ellis Archive. His work has been published in over for- ty monographs, establishing his reputation in photography and publishing. He is also the founder of the Malta Image Preservation Archive (MIPA), a non-govern- mental organisation dedicated to preserving and digitising Maltese photographic cultural heritage, while actively lobbying for the creation of a museum of Maltese photographic history. Pawlu Mizzi (1929-2019) A Maltese patriot, Gozitan scholar, trailblazer in the modern interpretation of Gozo's history, and pioneer in the publication of Maltese books, Pawlu Mizzi was born in Victoria on the 28th of October 1929. Mizzi's long career spanned roles from teacher to scriptwriter and presenter of TV programmes on Gozo, eventual- ly becoming managing director of Il-Ħajja. He also founded and served as general editor of Herit- age, an encyclopaedia of Maltese heritage, culture, and civilisation. However, Mizzi is perhaps best remembered for founding, in 1970, Klabb Kotba Maltin, the home of Maltese books, and lat- er Midsea Books Ltd. Mizzi was awarded the Medal for Service to the Republic in 1992. He passed away on the 5th of August 2019. The 4th Pawlu Mizzi Memorial Lecture is being held in collab- oration with Midsea Books Ltd. Admission is free but seat reser- vations are advised by sending an email to events@heartof- gozo.org.mt. The 4th Pawlu Mizzi memorial lecture A Gozitan scholar and trailblazer in the modern interpretation of Gozo's history PHOTOGRAPHY IN GOZO 1839-1960: