L-GHAQDA TA' L-ARMAR

On the 7th August 1996, a group of five youths from Ghajnsielem showed the interest to begin to take care rudolph

of the decorations used during the village feast held in respect of Saint Mary of Loreto. Incidentally, at the same time, the first warehouse for these decorations was being built in an area just behind the church. The base storey of this warehouse did not take a long time to be finished, and all the decorations used during the feast of August 1996 were immediately stored in this new building. Many new youths began to go to this new warehouse. Under the direction of Rudolph Cauchi, these youths soon began to work out new decorations for the next village feast. The warehouse was filled with enthusiasm and the support and courage from the people of Ghajnsielem did not miss.

After a year, the year on another storey for the same warehouse continued. This helped a lot to increase the space and the possibility of more work to be done. The group continued to grow and to gain popularity with everyone. It was given the name of “GHAQDA ARMAR GHAJNSIELEM” (Decorations Group Ghajnsielem).

Year after year, one co pedestall

uld see many new pieces of work, which, little by little, continued to decorate our streets and village squares with the best decorations. For years, people said that the village square was impossible to decorate because of its size. But these youths proved that this was not the case. They showed that they were capable of doing so and in short time, they produced the best decorations that this island of Gozo can imagine.

Work began to pay and the love showed by these youths towards this village paid in little time. They attracted everyone’s attention. Although this group works voluntarily, this work required great economic needs. Many activities were organized for its fundraising from the same youths, and later by other people from Ghajnsielem. Even fundraising activities were held by the emigrants in Canada for the same purpose.

The work continued to increase and the 2-storey warehouse soon became too small to occupy both the decorations and the work. Many other villagers noticed this problem and they offered some private space from their personal residence to hold some of these decorations. Hence some space was recovered.

On the other hand, discussions were held by the Ghaqda Arma malta

r Ghajnsielem and the Archpriest Zerafa (1981-2006) so that a new piece of land will be given to the group so that the second warehouse will be built. The permission of the Bishop Cauchi was required so that an area will be given to the group. A piece of land between the M.U.S.E.U.M. and the parish centre seemed to carry the ideal characteristics because of its location near the village square. From his side, the Bishop did not reject. The building plans were soon out and we applied for all the applications necessary to begin the building of the second warehouse. After some time, the permission was obtained. Immediately afterwards, the building began. Work was finished in only some months with the skill of many volunteers, benefactors, work and also material offered freely. These combined well with the maturity of the group.

The second warehouse was inaugurated on the 10th December 2006 (the liturgical feast of the Holy Mary of Loreto) on the 10th anniversary of the beginning of the group. It is a historical day for the village Ghajnsielem, since Dun Frankie Bajjada was appointed as the new archpriest of the village. After several years of leading the parish, Archpriest Zerafa signed a contract between him and the President of the Group, Rudolph Cauchi, in the office of Dr. Josepha Xeureb that verifies that the 2 warehouses and the land behind the second warehouse were officially propriety of Ghaqda Armar Ghajnsielem.

We hope that our voluntary work continues to improve village of Ghajnsielem, which is very dear to us. We also hope that the popularity that we gained during these years continues to increase the devotion for our Holy Mother of Loreto throughout the world.

To continue to change the light pavilion for Mgarr Road.
A new set of light pavilions for Anglu Grech Street and for Apparition Square
New Bandsmen’s Stand (Plancier) for the St. Joseph Musical Band
New cornice poles for the Religious Banners (Bandalori) of the centre
A set of textile pavilions for Mghodija Street.

These are some of the projects that we discussed. Surely, these are not our last projects. We need everyone’s support daily and to continue to work together. Whoever thinks and feels to join this group is very welcome. Everyone can give a helping hand in some way or other and we can also share our skills together so that we will continue to develop socially and individually.