Gozo agriculture show marks 150th anniversary

The Gozo Agriculture, Industrial and Cultural Society will this year celebrate the 150th anniversary of its agriculture and crafts show held on the feast of Santa Marija on August 15.

It is estimated that about 9,000 visitors tour the exhibition every year.

The society turns Villa Rundle gardens in Victoria into a fully-fledged park with about 4,000 exhibits ranging from farm animals, to hand-made crafts and from fruit to vegetables.

August is linked with harvest time and the payment of rural leases.

The exhibition has been held annually except for 1940-42 during World War II and on 1975 owing to an outbreak of the foot and mouth disease.

Initially the exhibition was held at the Victoria primary school but has been held at Villa Rundle since 1943.

To mark the anniversary, the society and the Organising Committee for Culture within the Ministry for Gozo will hold a cultural evening at Villa Rundle on August 12. The activity will include the participation of Ghaqda Folklor Xaghri and the Island Brass Ensemble.

Maltacom plc will be issuing a special stamp which will also be available from the company's stand. The exhibition will be open on the eve of the feast and from 6.30 a.m. on the feast day.