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The “Fundazzjoni Ta’ Klula” (Ta’ Klula Foundation ) of Santa Lucija Gozo are the holders of the European Destination of Excellence award with its main aim is to provide a platform in order to enhance its mission of preserving and promoting local traditions at both local and island scale.
The Fundazzjoni, since its inception in 2005 managed to revive various local traditions where, through planned and researched work, it organised activities to promote such traditions. Amongst these activities are the yearly “Ikla tan-Nanna” (Grandma’s Dinner) where a traditional 7-course dinner is served in Santa Lucija’s village square, with the Hamlet’s church serving as a backdrop to the event. Other yearly events are “Bis-sahha” (In good health) which promotes local wine together with traditional dance, song and art and the Light Festival on Saturday nearest to December 13th.
These events are welcomed by both locals and foreigners, and this is witnessed by the ever increasing number of persons who participate and share these experiences. Year on year, these nights are turning into “sold-out" events and are giving more impetus to the Fundazzjoni and to the Hamlet in seeking the assistance of experts in local tradition and culture, historians and anthropologists to assist and keep these traditions alive.
Beside the organisation of events, Santa Lucija is proving to be a centre of preservation of traditions where the older villagers are now provided with a forum to keep alive their culture and traditions in years gone by. These persons are giving their own time to teach the younger generation about their cooking methods and traditional recipes which are the ones used during the events. They are also narrating with particular detail their way of daily doing, including clothing, past times as well as social and religious gatherings. These narrations are providing the basis for various re-enactments including wedding ceremonies, “vjatku” (Holy Communion) procession and traditional sports activities.
It is very interesting to note that notwithstanding the Hamlet’s small population size, the establishment of the first settlements around 5000 B.C. make of this village a pioneer in Gozitan civilisation and social development. In a 1667 census, Santa Lucija (then known as Santa Caterina) is documented as a major district under which there were the smaller principalities of Dwejra, Ghajn Abdun, Ghar Ilma, ta’ Kercem and San Lawrenz. Moreover, the first water aquadot in 1843 serving the capital Rabat originated from Santa Lucija’s own natural springs of Ghajn Abdun and Ghar Ilma. Not to mention the Banda Tad-Dudi, which is regarded as Malta’s first organised string band.
This rich history has led the Hamlet to the twenty-first century, where the Fundazzjoni is now in a position to consolidate and preserve its past with the aim of develop the cultural tradition of future generations.
The winning of the EDEN Award was seen as a stepping stone for Santa Lucija, whereby after an initial phase of gathering information and organisation of small events, the Fundazzjoni and the Hamlet can now start spreading this knowledge and use the Award as a mark to further expand its activities. The Award also seals the Fundazzjoni’s professionalism in organising events and conserving traditions, and will encourage more persons to participate in the events and more locals to come forward and tell their stories and experiences.
More information:-
http://ec.europa.eu/eden winners 2008 (Malta)
www.santalucija.com
Gaulitana N0 27. Fundazzjoni Ta’Klula publication
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