Documents stretching back 400 years on display in Gozo

The National Archives (Gozo Section) has mounted an exhibition of historical documents in Gozo closely tied to the history of the island, entitled Gozo - A Historical Glimpse To Mark Archives Awareness Week.

Forty important documents for the history and heritage of Gozo, ranging from 1575 to 2003, are on display.

The documents are a selection of the records deposited at the Archives which include records of now defunct institutions such as the Universitas Gaudisii (founded in 1350, records available for 1560-1819), the Civic Council (1959-1973) and the Monte di Pieta' (1817-1979).

The exhibits cover the religious, social and administrative life of Gozo in the last 400 years. They include, among others, 16th century manuscripts, early 18th century Ordinances of the Universitas Gaudisii, an agreement regarding the capitulation of the French in Gozo (1798), late 19th century enlargement plans for the Banca Giuratale and present day records including the inauguration of Residenza Sant'Anna at the Gozo General Hospital in 2003.

The National Archives (Gozo Section) was inaugurated in November 1989, two months before the Act to regulate the National Archives was passed in Parliament in January 1990. Records originated by the Ministry for Gozo and its departments, as well as by local councils, are regularly deposited at this section. Around 9,000 items from 24 entities have been deposited at the NAG since its setting up, 16 years ago.

The Archives Awareness Week, held for the first time in Gozo, will run between today and next Sunday. The exhibition will be open to the public until November 12, from Monday to Saturday (7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.) and on Wednesdays (until 6 p.m.). It is on at Gozo's public library in Victoria.