Coming up

¤ The newly restored Isopu Tower is open today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

¤ The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is being celebrated in Xlendi today. Water sports and a greasy pole competition will be held at 3 p.m.

The procession with the statue of Our Lady, accompanied by the St Gregory Band, starts at 7.30. There will be a fireworks display at 10.

¤ Xaghra celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Victory this week.

Traditional horse and donkey races will be held today at 8.30 a.m. Canon Mario Borg marks the 25th anniversary of his ordination by celebrating Mass with the parish chapter at 5.30 p.m., with the participation of couples celebrating their 25th and 50th wedding anniversary.

The St Mary Band plays marches in the village streets at 9.

Vicar-General Mgr Giovanni Bosco Gauci leads a concelebrated Mass for Xaghra emigrants currently holidaying in Gozo, and former parishioners, on Tuesday at 7. The Victory and Precursor Bands will play marches at 9.

Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo leads a concelebrated Mass on Wednesday at 9 a.m. The Schola Cantorum Jubilate will participate. A ceremony to mark the end of the Great Siege will be held on Victory Square at 10.

Bishop Nikol Cauchi leads the translation of the relic at 6.30 p.m. Solemn vespers will be led by Mgr Eucharist Sultana, followed by a Eucharistic celebration.

The Mnarja Band will give a concert on the church square at 9.30, while the Victory and St Joseph bands play marches. A fireworks display will be held in Triq l-Imqades afterwards.

On Thursday at 9 a.m. Bishop Cauchi leads a Pontifical concelebrated Mass, with the participation of the Cathedral and collegiate chapters. Canon Frankie Bajada will deliver the panegyric. Mro Bugeja's Mass A Maria Immacolata will be performed by Sliema's Jesus of Nazareth choir.

The Beland and St Gregory bands will play marches in the streets at 11.

The procession with the statue of Our Lady, led by archpriest Mgr Carmelo Fenech and accompanied by the Victory Band, starts at 7 p.m., while the Leone Band gives a concert on Victory Square.

Festivities close with marches by the Victory Band at 10.30.

¤ Victory Day and the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II will be marked with a ceremony on Independence Square, Victoria, on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

¤ Devotees of Our Lady of Graces, venerated at the Capuchin church in Victoria, who wish to donate blood should meet in front of Gozo General Hospital on Friday at 8.30 a.m. For more information contact George Debono on 2155-1460.

As part of the festivities in honour of Our Lady of Graces, the traditional motorcycle pilgrimage will be held from Ta' Pinu Sanctuary to Our Lady of Graces Sanctuary in Victoria on Saturday at 2 p.m.

At 8.30 the Leone Band plays marches from Gozo Garage, accompanying the procession with the statue of Our Lady to the church parvis. There will later be a fireworks display.

¤ The Fish Breeding Association's annual aquarium fish show will be inaugurated at Ninu Cremona School, Victoria, on Friday at 7 p.m.

The exhibition, featuring around 25 aquariums with different types of fish, will be open to the public on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance is free.