Hamlet of Santa Lucija in Kercem - Gozo

The Hamlet of Santa Lucija in Kercem, has succeeded in developing and promoteing the intangible heritage within its locality.

Santa Lucija, is a rural locality to the west of Victoria, Gozo’s Capital town. Presently, Santa Lucija is currently experiencing a growth in population, brought about by a number of people taking up residence in the village. Moreover, it has become a popular preference with regards to foreigners taking up permanent residence. In fact a substantial amount of farmhouses have been converted into luxurious residences for both Maltese and foreign visitors.
The Fondazzjoni Folkloristika Ta’ Klula has been operating since 2006 and was established with the sole purpose of revalorising and promoting the area of Santa Lucia through its intangible heritage.  To achieve this object three main activities are being organised on an annual basis. Namely;

Ikla tan-Nanna

A traditional Gozitan meal with the accompaniment of folk music and dance at Pjazza Santa Lucija and adjacent alleys

• Presentation of traditional Gozitan food
• Re-enactment of the rural traditional Maltese wedding
• Folk music and folk dance

Bis-Sahha (The Maltese toast)

An evening of wine accompanied by typical Gozitan snacks and folkloristic dancing.

• Opening of traditional local food and wine stalls
• Traditional folk music and dance

Light Festival

A two day celebration of the patron saint of Santa Lucija known as the Saint of Light.
The feast is celebrated around a bonfire in the village piazza. Local bands, wine and food accompany this event.

• Celebration of mass for the patron saint – Santa Lucija
• Distribution of traditional Santa Lucija buns
• Traditional local food stalls and mulled wine
• Fireworks display

The activities mentioned above envisage to have a positive knock on effect on employment and earnings of the locality especially on the sustainability of the local produce which is experiencing a renaissance as a result thereof. Thanks to these activities the local produce is being promoted and experienced. Thus ensuring that the locals are offered a more secure market for their produce thereby showing confidence in their enterprises and fostering further investment

These initiatives also contribute to the principle of sustainable development as they enable the enjoyment of Santa Lucija’s traditional assets for present and future generations.

The main innovation of the initiatives is the involvement of the locals of Santa Lucia, who actively work and determine the local development by using the enhancement of the intangible heritage as leverage.

Furthermore being an NGO the initiator of all the activities means a real participative action that is in a position to positively affect the whole community life.

The utilization of a didactic menu to present the typical dinner is an interesting element of innovation to assist in keeping alive traditions that would have been long forgotten.

The rural dimension has been enhanced thanks to the use of products that belong to the Maltese gastronomic identity. The presentation of these products happens in a typical rural scenario such as that of the streets of the locality. Participants in the events live a wholesome and complete experience of rural life and rural dimension.

The involvement of the majority of residents of Santa Lucia has had a very positive social impact. The population now has common objectives, activities and missions to achieve. They share more than what they previously used to share and new elements have been brought to the social dynamics of the village. The risk of isolation and exclusion is limited because the events are always organised in the village and all the people give their fruitful contribution.

The high percentage of involvement of the population of Santa Lucia actively involved in these activities gives the events that added value greatly appreciated by domestic and foreign visitors. With regards to the involvement of other stakeholders, the NGO has been able to establish excellent relationship with benefactors, local institutions and sponsors, maintaining their autonomy with regards to event content and organisation.

The farming sector within the locality has great potential and a lot is being done to ensure its involvement through these organised initiatives. The local rural produce contributes positively in diversifying the tourism offer of Gozo

Sta. Lucija has started to register a considerable number of domestic and foreign tourists who otherwise would not have visited the locality were it not for the initiatives being organised.