Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545793
GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 DEPUTY EDITOR: LAURA CALLEJA Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt 3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 10 JULY 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 A central session, About Eu- rope: A Dialogue Between Arts and Politics, examined the role of culture in democracy, pub- lic policy, artistic freedom, care and international cooperation. The discussion featured Euro- pean Festivals Association sec- retary general Kathrin Deventer, Victoria 2031 Foundation chair Samuel Azzopardi, artistic di- rector Austin Camilleri, Arts Council Malta's Nikki Petroni, Festivals Malta's Francis Agi- us, Cáceres 2031 representative Iris Jugo, youth worker Jennifer Cauchi and artist Sarah Vella, and was moderated by ARC Re- search & Consultancy founder Davinia Galea. Deventer said festivals served as spaces where people ex- changed ideas and forged re- lationships across cultures, adding that the Gozo forum reflected a shared belief that meaningful international co- operation starts with listening, trust and encounters rooted in place. Samuel Azzopardi said the fo- rum reflected the foundation's efforts to build the internation- al partnerships and long-term relationships needed to under- pin Victoria's bid for the Euro- pean Capital of Culture 2031 title, while demonstrating how international collaboration could be anchored in Gozo. Victoria mayor Brian Az- zopardi said the city would launch its first Cultural Strat- egy next week, describing it as part of a wider commitment to place culture at the centre of Victoria's long-term develop- ment and strengthen its inter- national links. The forum marks the first international collaboration or- ganised by the Victoria 2031 Foundation as it continues building its European Capital of Culture 2031 candidature, positioning Gozo as a meeting point for European cultural ex- change and cooperation. Victoria joins culture next as a full member The Victoria 2031 Foundation also announced earlier in the week that Victoria, the capital of Gozo, and Candidate City for the European Capital of Culture 2031, has been official- ly welcomed as a full member of Culture Next, the Europe- an network of cities, connected with the European Capital of Culture programme, that see culture as a driver for long- term urban development, civ- ic participation, international cooperation and the legacy of European Capital of Culture processes. The decision was approved by Culture Next following an open call addressed to observ- ing members and cities that have recently joined the net- work. Victoria is one of five cit- ies welcomed as full members, joining Oviedo (Spain), Burgas (Bulgaria), Zalău (Romania), and Nijmegen (Netherlands). Victoria joins the network at a significant moment in its cultural journey, current- ly forming part of the Euro- pean Capital of Culture 2031 process with its second bid book underway. Having been shortlisted for the title follow- ing the Maltese pre-selection stage in November, Victoria's membership of Culture Next strengthens its position within a broader European conversa- tion about the long-term value of cultural ambition. As a full member, Victoria will be able to participate ac- tively in Culture Next's pro- gramme for 2025–2028, in- cluding network conferences, a mobility programme, thematic working groups, missions, ca- pacity-building activities, and advocacy actions. This membership reflects Victoria's commitment to placing culture at the heart of Gozo's future, and to building the international partnerships that will sustain that vision be- yond 2031. Gozo hosts European forum on culture, wellbeing and the future of public life CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The figures show that the Gozo MRI service ac- counted for 5,250 of the 25,292 MRI scans car- ried out across the pub- lic health system during the first seven months of 2026. In his reply, the Minister stated that the Govern- ment currently provides MRI services through three MRI machines at Mater Dei Hospital, which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as through the MRI service at Gozo General Hospital, the MRI service at the Ċensu Moran Cen- tre, and an MRI machine at the St Vincent de Paul Residence. Number of MRI scans between January and July 2026 • Gozo MRI: 5,250 scans • Mater Dei Hospital MRI (1/2/3): 18,289 scans • Vincent Moran MRI: 1,102 scans • SVPR MRI: 651 scans Reporting by Laura Calleja Across Malta and Gozo between January and July 2026 25,292 MRI scans were carried out The event brought European cultural discussions to Gozo while positioning the island within wider debates on culture, care, wellbeing and the future of public life (Photo: Darren Cassar) MRI Machine (File Photo)