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gozotoday | FRIDAY • 6 NOVEMBER 2026
NEWS
REVEREND Charles Cini, sur-
geon John Baptist Pace and art-
ist Anthony Caruana have been
honoured with the 2026 Ġieħ
Għawdex Awards, presented
during celebrations marking
Gozo Day.
The awards, established by
the Circolo Gozitano, recog-
nise people of Gozitan origin
who have contributed to the is-
land's welfare and development
or distinguished themselves
through their achievements.
The awards were presented
by President of Malta Myriam
Spiteri Debono during a cere-
mony held on Wednesday, 28
October.
Gozo Day commemorates
the liberation of the island
from French rule in 1798, after
which the Gozitans governed
themselves for 22 months un-
der the leadership of Saver Cas-
sar, Archpriest of the Matrice.
The celebrations began with
a Pontifical Mass at the Gozo
Cathedral, attended by the
President of the Gozo Region,
mayors and representatives of
the Circolo Gozitano.
A wreath-laying ceremony
followed at the monument
dedicated to Saver Cassar in It-
Tokk, Victoria. Wreaths were
laid by the President of Mal-
ta, the Minister for Gozo, the
President of the Gozo Region,
the President of the Circolo
Gozitano and representatives
of civil society organisations.
Musical entertainment was
provided by Mario Caruana
and his daughter Maria Aqui-
lina Caruana.
The event was organised
jointly by the Circolo Gozi-
tano, the Gozo Region and the
Ministry for Gozo.
Reverend Charles
Cini, surgeon
John Baptist
Pace and artist
Anthony Caruana
have been
honoured with
the 2026 Ġieħ
Għawdex Awards,
presented during
celebrations
marking Gozo
Day
The awards were presented by President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono during a ceremony held on Wednesday, 28 October
Three receive Gieh Ghawdex
awards on Gozo Day
