Fig Festival Fun Returns To Xagħra For 12th Year!

Jun 17 2025

Fig Festival is back in Xagħra, Gozo for its 12th year. It will take place on Saturday, 21 June 2025 in the beautiful village square. This popular event has become an important part of Gozo’s cultural calendar.

Minister for Gozo and Planning, Clint Camilleri, and Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, announced the festival together. They praised the event for showing off Gozo’s farming and traditions while also bringing in more visitors.

Xagħra is the perfect place for this festival. Its land is great for growing fig trees, and the village has many of them. That’s why this fruity celebration fits so well here.

Minister Camilleri said the government will keep supporting events like this because they help promote local councils and keep Gozo lively all year round. He encouraged everyone to visit and enjoy this family-friendly day.

Alison Zerafa Civelli thanked the Xagħra Local Council for making good use of special cultural funds. She said these kinds of festivals are welcomed by the public and help keep Maltese traditions alive. She wished the festival lots of success and invited families to join the fun.

The festival will bring together farming, culture, crafts, and music. There will be something for all ages, with both local and international artists taking part.

For more details, visit eventsingozo.com

Stamford Bridge To Host 2025 VisitMalta Weekender

Jun 17 2025

Chelsea Football Club is pleased to announce it will host a pre-season tournament this August featuring European giants AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen as part of the 2025 VisitMalta Weekender.

Taking place at Stamford Bridge on Friday 8 and Sunday 10 August, the matches will give fans an exciting opportunity to watch their teams in action as they finalise preparations for the 2025/26 season.

The weekend kicks off on Friday evening at 7pm with Chelsea taking on Bundesliga runners-up Bayer Leverkusen.

Newly appointed head coach Erik Ten Hag brings his side to London following a summer tour in Rio de Janeiro. The tournament will conclude on Sunday 10 August at 3pm, when Chelsea face Italian giants AC Milan.

The Rossoneri have welcomed back Massimiliano Allegri as head coach this summer, returning to the role 11 years after his previous spell at the club. Milan will arrive in London following pre-season fixtures in Singapore, Hong Kong and Perth.

These two games follow Chelsea’s participation in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, where they will face Los Angeles FC, Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis in Group D.

Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, said the event is a valuable partnership promoting Malta as a leading Mediterranean destination.

Ticketing information will be announced shortly.

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Claudette Buttigieg Will Not Contest The Next Election

Jun 17 2025

PN MP Claudette Buttigieg has just announced that she will not be contesting the next general election.

‘This is a crucial moment for the Nationalist Party, but above all for the country, which needs a stronger Opposition’, she wrote in a statement.

‘I too have been approached by several people encouraging me to contest the role of PN Leader, but I have made it clear to everyone that I will not be taking this step. In fact, after lengthy discussions with my family, we have decided that I will not contest the next General Election.’

‘I am announcing this before the names of those interested in the leadership role are made public, as I do not want anyone to interpret my decision as being tied to one leader or another.’

‘Until the next General Election, I will continue to fulfil my duties, as I always have, both in Parliament and wherever the party needs me. I am ready to help where necessary, but the time has come to make space for someone else.’

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Malta Signs WHO Declaration In Support Of Mental Health

Jun 17 2025

In Paris, Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela attended the High-Level Regional Conference on Mental Health, where he signed the Paris Declaration on Malta’s behalf.

The conference, organised by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the French Ministry of Health, brought together 14 European ministers and delegates from 30 countries. Discussions focused on the relevance of mental health across all areas of society and the need to reduce stigma and silence surrounding mental health conditions

In Paris, Minister for Health and Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela attended the High-Level Regional Conference on Mental Health

Minister Abela outlined Malta’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, which is currently undergoing public consultation. He explained that the strategy includes contributions from various ministries and 31 organisations, and is being developed in collaboration with the WHO. The final version will be launched after public feedback has been reviewed.

He also stressed the importance of using social media to spread awareness and information about mental health, while warning against its misuse to promote hate or falsehoods. He voiced particular concern over children’s access to harmful content online.

Minister Abela reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to improving mental health services within the community. He also praised the government’s decision to integrate psychiatric care with physical health services at Mater Dei Hospital, describing it as a sound and timely move.

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