Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543228
11 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 13 FEBRUARY 2026 CULTURE Transport Malta announces extended public transport and ferry services to Gozo for Carnival weekend TRANSPORT Malta has an- nounced extended public trans- port and ferry services for the Carnival weekend, with addi- tional late-night routes and spe- cial return trips scheduled be- tween 13 and 17 February. According to information released by the agency, direct bus services between Victoria and Nadur in Gozo will operate every 30 minutes from 8:00pm to midnight on Friday, 13 Feb- ruary, and every 15 minutes during the same hours on Sat- urday, 14 February. On Sunday, February 15, the direct service will run every 30 minutes between 8:00pm and 11:00pm. Shuttle buses linking Mġarr Ferry terminal and Nadur will run with each ferry arrival from 7:00pm to midnight on both Friday and Saturday. Special late-night return services to lo- calities across Gozo, designat- ed S1 to S6, are scheduled for 1:00am on Friday; 1:00am and 2:30am on Saturday; and mid- night on Sunday. Transport Malta also con- firmed extended operating hours for the Gozo Fast Fer- ry during the Carnival period. Scheduled departures from Mġarr and Valletta at 10:15pm will operate on Friday, 13 Feb- ruary, and Saturday, 14 Febru- ary. Additional late services de- parting at 10:45 pm from both terminals will run on Sunday, 15 February; Monday, 16 Feb- ruary; and 17 Tuesday, Febru- ary. New Philatelic Issue: 2026 - The Year of the Horse IN the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, 2026 is the Year of the Horse, a zodiac sign that symbol- ises energy, freedom, strength and forward movement. The Horse is traditionally associated with dyna- mism, enthusiasm and a spirit of adventure, encouraging progress and the pursuit of new opportu- nities with confidence and deter- mination. People born under this sign are often described as lively, intelligent and charismatic with a natural ability to inspire others and a strong will to succeed. The Year of the Horse is believed to favour initiative, travel, creativ- ity and open communication, making it a time when new op- portunities arise that can lead to significant personal and collective achievements. The Chinese Lunar New Year is celebrated on 17 Feb- ruary 2026. To celebrate the Chinese Year of the Horse, MaltaPost will issue a set of two stamps featuring the horse, respectively, within a Chi- nese and Maltese cultural context. The €0.45 stamp was designed by local artist Maria Christina Buge- ja, while the €1.91 stamp was cre- ated by Fang Jun from China. This set will be issued in a sheet of 10 stamps, with each stamp measuring 35mm x 35mm, a comb perforation of 13.77 x 13.66, and bearing the Maltese Cross watermark. The sheets measure 98mm x 203mm and were pro- duced by Printex Ltd in the off- set process. The issue consists of 500,000 of the €0.45 stamp and 60,000 of the €1.91 stamp. The stamps will be available from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo from Monday 9 February 2026. Orders may be placed on- line at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bu- reau, MaltaPost p.l.c., 305, Qormi Road, Marsa, MTP 1001; by tele- phone 2596 1740 or via e-mail in- fo@maltaphilately.com To celebrate the Chinese Year, MaltaPost will issue a set of two stamps featuring the horse, respectively, within a Chinese and Maltese cultural context