Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/764316
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2016 16 JAMES DEBONO MALTATODAY'S survey, held in the last weeks for the Christ- mas season, has found that peo- ple who said they see Christmas as both a "religious" as well as a "cultural" feast – as opposed to not seeing it as religious any longer – are more likely to feel happier than usual during the festive season, followed by those who regard it to be as 'only' a re- ligious feast. On the other hand, people who regard Christmas as a cultural feast could be more likely to feel sad. This difference between re- spondents emerged in a survey that found 77% who see the day of the birth of Jesus Christ – one of the highlights in the Christian calendar – as both a cultural and a religious feast said they felt happier than usual during the festive season. The percentage falls to 59% among those who primarily see Christmas as a religious feast and to just 32% among those who re- gard Christmas as a cultural feast. And while only 4% of those who regard Christmas as both a religious and cultural feast say they are sadder in the festive sea- son, the percentage rises to 11% among those who regard Christ- mas as primarily a religious feast, to 25% among those who regard it as a cultural feast and to 66% of those who regard Christmas as being neither a cultural nor a religious feast. People who regard Christmas as a cultural feast are the most likely to feel "same as usual" on Christmas. 31% do not attend mass on Christmas The survey also shows that fewer than a third of the Maltese probably do not attend mass on Christmas day. While 23% at- tend the traditional midnight mass, 46% attend mass during the morning. But while mass attendance on Christmas remains high over- all (69%), the survey suggests a sharp decline when compared to the past. In fact only 13% of respondents said that they did not attend mass on Christmas as children. Moreover 53% used to attend midnight mass as chil- dren compared to 23% now. The survey also finds that 81% of those who attend midnight mass are happier during the fes- tive season compared to 58% of those who attend morning mass and only 40% of those do not at- tend mass at all. While only 6% of those attend- ing midnight mass feel sadder during Christmas, the percent- age rises to 23% among those who do not attend mass at all. This finding suggests that mid- night mass may contribute to a sense of community, which gen- erates happiness. But it could also reflect the fact that younger and more educated people are the most likely to at- tend midnight mass, and both these categories tend to be hap- pier during the Christmas sea- son: 41% of young said they do not attend mass, but 27% attend midnight mass. Young people under 35 are the most likely to attend midnight mass (27%) but are also the least likely not to attend mass at all (41%). This cohort is also the least likely to think that Christ- mas is exclusively a religious feast but the most likely to see in it a mix of cultural and religious motifs. In fact while only 23% of young respondents see Christmas as primarily a religious feast (and 27% as exclusively a cultural event) 50% said it was a mix of both. This may be also a reflec- tion of modern Maltese religios- ity, in which Catholic traditions survive along a more secular out- look to life. For although within this age bracket 41% do not attend any re- ligious service on Christmas day, more than one in four (27%) at- tend midnight mass. And signifi- cantly the young are more likely to attend midnight mass than older respondents. Christmas Survey REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The Ministry for Gozo is interested in leasing premises of an area between circa 30 – 100 square meters of usable office space in the centre of Victoria, Gozo. The identified premises must feature the following key characteristics: - Have an independent entrance at street level and preferably being at ground level - Easily accessible by persons with a disability - Conform to local building regulations and standards - In possession of the necessary permits as required by the relevant authorities - Have electrical and water supply and a functioning drainage system - Should include a restroom The initial agreement will be for a period of one (1) year which may be renewed for any other further period/s at the discretion of the lessee and subject to agreement with the lessor. The property has to be ready for use within a maximum period of 3 months from the date of signing of the lease agreement. Detailed information including a scaled site plan and a plan of the premises, together with an indication of the proposed annual lease rate, must be enclosed in a clearly marked and sealed envelope and deposited in the tender box at the Procurement Unit at the Ministry for Gozo, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo by not later than noon of Friday 30 th December 2016. Submissions will be treated in strict confidentiality. The Ministry for Gozo reserves the right to refuse any offer in respect of this Request for Proposal. Does religion make people happier? MaltaToday's latest survey has registered 31% of respondents saying they don't attend Christmas mass, but 23% celebrate the midnight mass, and that people who consider Christmas a religious feast and attend midnight mass tend to be happier during the season