Coming up

• Celebrations to mark the feast of the Asumption in Victoria kick off today with a concelebrated Mass at 7 p.m. led by Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi. Emigants' children will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Mount Carmel Band of Gzira plays marches at 9 p.m. At 9.30, a 'demonstration' with the statue of the Asumption, with the participation of the Leone and the Asumption Bands, will take place. Two plaques will be unveiled during a ceremony. A fireworks display will be held in Republic Street, followed by a ceremony with the statue of the Assumption on Independence Square.

Tomorrow at 8 a.m., the Rev. Chapter will concelebrate Mass, with the participation of the Chorus Ecclesiae Cathedralis.

At 10, archpriest Dr Joe Vella Gauci will celebrate Mass for children, with the participation of the Cathedral Youth Choir. A reception for children will be held at the Leone Band Club afterwards.

The Leone Band will march from the parish centre to the Cathedral at 5.30 p.m. At 6, Bishop Mario Grech will lead the translation of the relic. There will be pontifical vespers and a sacramental blessing afterwards.

At 7.45, Bishop Emeritus Nikol Cauchi will celebrate a thanksgiving Pontifical Mass on the 31st anniversary of the crowning of the titular painting of the Assumption, with the participation of the Chorus Ecclesiae Cathedralis.

Prayers led by Fr Franco Fenech, together with the Mhabba Divina group will be said at 8.45 in preparation for the feast of the Assumption on Cathedral Square.

At 9.30, the Leone and Victory bands will play marches along Republic Street. A fireworks display will be held on Savina Square.

At 9 a.m., Bishop Grech will lead a concelebrated Pontifical Mass. The 12th May Band of Zebbug and the Precursor Band of Xewkija, will play marches in Victoria at 11.

At 2.30 p.m., horse races will be held in Republic Street, followed by marches played by the Leone Band from the parish centre to Cathedral Square at 5.30.

At 5.45, the Rev. Chapter will sing solemn vespers led by the Vicar General of the Diocese, archdeacon Giovanni Bosco Gauci.

The procession with the statue of the Asumption will be held at 6.30 p.m., led by Bishop Mario Grech, accompanied by the Leone Band.

At 8, the St Joseph Band will play marches from the Leone Band Club to Cathedral Square, followed by a concert carried out by the Victory Band on Independence Square at 8.30.

There will be a fireworks display at 10 p.m. The Leone Band will play marches afterwards.

• A book fair is being held at St Rita Hall at St Augustine Convent, Victoria, until Wednesday. It will be open from 9 a.m. to noon, from 4 to 8 p.m.

• The programme for the Agricultural and Industrial Show at Villa Rundle Gardens, Victoria:

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m., Bishop Mario Grech blesses the exhibition, which is then officially opened by Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono.

At 3.30 p.m., the exhibition opens to the public.

At 7.30, the prize-giving ceremony for sections 11 to 13, presided over by Minister Debono.

At 8, a folklore evening with Ghana, with the participation of various Maltese and Gozitan singers and the Ta' Cangura San Lawrence Folk Group.

On Tuesday at 6.30 a.m., the exhibition opens to the public.

At 1 p.m., the prize-giving ceremony for sections one to ten, presided over by President Dr Eddie Fenech Adami.

• For the 10th consecutive year, the Gozo Diocese is organising a vigil on the eve of the feast of the Assumption at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary tomorrow at 8.30 p.m. There will be psalms, a mime, Mass and the adoration of the Eucharist. Transport is available from all parishes. The event is being broadcast live on Radju Marija 102.3 FM.

• Fontana parish is holding a trip to Malta tomorrow, to celebrate the feast of the Assumption in Mqabba. The group will leave the church in Fontana at 3.45 p.m. to board the 4.15 p.m. ferry, and will return on the 1 a.m. ferry. For more information call Johnnie Theuma on 9922-8190 till noon today.

• Christmas in August, in aid of Dar Guzeppa Debono, is being held at Tigrija Palazz, Victoria, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 8.30 a.m. to noon and from 5 to 8 p.m.

• The St Mary Band Club, in collaboration with Zebbug council is holding a concert, "Mal-Baklu u Mal-Bakketta," on Assumption Square, Zebbug, on Wednesday at 8.45 p.m.

• Victoria Hotspurs FC is holding a barbecue for players and supporters at L-Iskoll Restaurant, Sannat, on Friday, August 25, at 8 p.m. Tickets at Lm7 (children under 10, Lm3) may be purchased from the club until August 23.