Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547048
8 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 9 OCTOBER 2026 CULTURE Artistic swimming programme launched in Gozo by Otters ASC Otters ASC launches an artistic swimming programme in Gozo, giving young athletes on the island access to national-level coaching without having to travel to Malta OTTERS ASC has launched an artistic swimming programme in Gozo, giving young athletes on the island access to national-level coaching without having to travel to Malta. The programme follows a trial held earlier this summer and has been developed since the begin- ning of 2026 through collabo- ration between Otters ASC and ASA Malta. ASA Malta National Artistic Swimming Technical Director and Head Coach Michelle Hub- ner will travel to Gozo twice a week during the winter season to lead training sessions. She will be supported by National Team Coach and European Aquatics Technical Official Hannah Preca Trapani. The programme follows a sum- mer trial led by coach Davida from Synchro Knights, which in- troduced children in Gozo to ar- tistic swimming. Otters ASC said the initiative will allow young athletes to devel- op their skills on the island while receiving coaching from nation- al-level staff. The club said the programme forms part of its plans to expand its aquatic sports offering in Gozo and provide access to different disciplines for athletes of different ages and abilities. With the addition of artistic swimming, Otters ASC now offers four official aquatic disciplines: swimming, artistic swimming, water polo and open water swim- ming. The club said it is the first club in Malta to offer all four dis- ciplines under one club structure. Otters ASC thanked ASA Mal- ta, Hubner, Preca Trapani and Davida, as well as its coaches, volunteers, parents and support- ers involved in the launch. Regis- tration for the artistic swimming programme is open through the Otters ASC website. ASA Malta National Artistic Swimming Technical Director and Head Coach Michelle Hubner Curator to lead walkthrough of St Francis exhibition at Il-Hagar Museum CURATOR Joseph Calleja will lead a guided walkthrough of Without Limit: St Francis 800 at Il-Ħaġar | Heart of Gozo Muse- um on Saturday, 10 October. The walkthrough, starting at 11am, will explore several aspects of the temporary col- lective exhibition, which com- memorates the 800th anniver- sary of the death of St Francis of Assisi. Participation is free, although visitors are encouraged to reg- ister in advance by emailing events@heartofgozo.org.mt. The exhibition brings togeth- er 60 works depicting the be- loved saint, spanning several generations of artists and artis- tic styles. Among the artists repre- sented are Annibale Carracci (1560-1609), Pietro Paolo Zah- ra (1685-1747), Ġanni Vella (1885-1977), Agostino Camill- eri (1885-1979), Franco Cap- rioli (1912-1974), Anton In- glott (1915-1945), Willie Apap (1918-1970), Harry Alden (1929-2019), Antoine Camill- eri (1922-2005), Ġanni Bonnici (1932-2019) and Anton Agius (1933-2008). The exhibition also features works by a long list of contem- porary artists from Gozo, Mal- ta and beyond. Copies of the exhibition cat- alogue, the 40th publication in Il-Ħaġar's Gems series, are available from the museum's front desk while stocks last. Without Limit: St Francis 800 is supported by Visit Malta, Klabb Kotba Maltin, CVC Me- dia, as well as a number of pub- lic, ecclesiastical and private institutions. The exhibition features works by a long list of contemporary artists from Gozo, Malta and beyond