Three receive Ġieħ Għawdex awards on Gozo Day

Reverend Charles Cini, surgeon John Baptist Pace and artist Anthony Caruana have been honoured with the 2026 Ġieħ Għawdex Awards, presented during celebrations marking Gozo Day.

The awards, established by the Circolo Gozitano, recognise people of Gozitan origin who have contributed to the island’s welfare and development or distinguished themselves through their achievements.

The awards were presented by President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono during a ceremony held on Wednesday, 28 October.

Gozo Day commemorates the liberation of the island from French rule in 1798, after which the Gozitans governed themselves for 22 months under the leadership of Saver Cassar, Archpriest of the Matrice.

The celebrations began with a Pontifical Mass at the Gozo Cathedral, attended by the President of the Gozo Region, mayors and representatives of the Circolo Gozitano.

A wreath-laying ceremony followed at the monument dedicated to Saver Cassar in It-Tokk, Victoria. Wreaths were laid by the President of Malta, the Minister for Gozo, the President of the Gozo Region, the President of the Circolo Gozitano and representatives of civil society organisations.

Musical entertainment was provided by Mario Caruana and his daughter Maria Aquilina Caruana.

The event was organised jointly by the Circolo Gozitano, the Gozo Region and the Ministry for Gozo.