Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542776
10 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 23 JANUARY 2026 CULTURE New display brings to life Gozo's home front resilience during WWII GOZO during World War II – A glimpse of the grim years 1940- 1943 is an exhibition of original documents, photographs and artefacts being held at the Gozo Archive (National Archives of Malta) in Vajringa Street, Vic- toria. The nucleus of the exhibition, inaugurated by Gozo Minis- ter Clint Camilleri, was made available from the collection of Charles Bezzina, author of several books about wartime Gozo, and his father Frank, who during the war years collected artefacts and testimonials from persons who experienced the ravages of the war in Gozo. The exhibition highlights the role of Gozo during the war which, although far from the centre of combat, suffered the loss of innocent citizens, de- molished buildings, hunger and life in shelters. Notwithstanding its own difficulties, Gozo gave its part by providing shelter to Maltese refugee families and providing wheat to quench the famine in Malta. Items of particular interest in- clude the original plans of the projected Gozo airfield built in Xewkija in 1943, photographs of Gozitan victims of war, ar- tefacts recovered from crashed enemy plane and reconnais- sance photos of Gozo taken by enemy planes. Several scale models of planes which crashed on Gozo were made available by the Gozo Scale Modellers Club. A catalogue with a descrip- tion of all the items on show and with colour photographs has been published and may be acquired from the exhibition venue. The exhibition is open un- til February 7 on Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 1.30pm, and on Saturdays be- tween 8.30am and 12.30pm. It is closed on Sundays. GOZO Gears Up for 2026 Car- nival: Villages to Come Alive with Music, Costumes, and Cel- ebration Gozo — The 2026 Carnival is set to return, promising big- ger crowds, more colourful displays, and a full schedule of festivities across every village. The celebrations officially begin on February 7 with the Carnival Opening Parade, marking the start of weeks filled with music, dance, and traditional Gozitan carnival performances. Highlights include the Kar- nival Spontanju in Nadur, re- nowned for its spontaneous performances, humorous skits, and bold, imaginative charac- ters. Other villages will also host their own themed events, bringing local traditions, crea- tivity, and community spirit to the forefront. Organisers encourage families and visitors to dress in colour- ful costumes and take part in the celebrations. "Carnival in Gozo is where tradition meets fun, and imagination runs wild," said an event spokesperson. "It's an experience designed for all ages and promises unforgetta- ble memories." For full details of the 2026 Carnival schedule, the Carnival in Gozo booklet is available on- line. The event's mobile app al- so offers quick access to the lat- est happenings: eventsingozo. com/mobileapp. Gozo Gears Up for 2026 Carnival: Villages to come alive with music, costumes, and celebration A float and dancers featured in last year's carnival (photo: Events Gozo) The exhibition was made available from the collection of Charles Bezzina, author of several books about wartime Gozo