Gozo : past and present

Abstract

This publication contains a collection of talks which were given earlier on this year, and which were organised by the University Gozo Centre in conjunction with the Ministry for Gozo, on topics that in one way or another are linked with Gozo.

Starting at the very beginning, Mr Paul C. Saliba talks about our intriguing past with its cart-ruts and temples, the remains of our Phoenician origins, such as those at Ras il-Wardija, and burial sites. He also speculates about the origins of the name 'Ghawdex' itself, which he believes derives from the Punic word 'GWL'. While to some extent speculative, this work emphasises the importance of ensuring that archaeological findings should be carefully maintained and not wantonly destroyed as used to be the practice in the past.

With the talk of Mr Andre' Zammit, we have a nostalgic look at the Gozo of a few generations ago. We reminisce and hanker after the idyllic peace that existed then and wonder whether the rate of development currently taking place is indeed sustainable or more likely strangling in its continued destruction of life as we used to know it. In particular he laments developments like the damming up of valleys which permanent! y alter the environment and destroys the natural shoreline.

The third talk deals with the most recent development of all, namely the scientific work on environmental pollution being carried out at the moment at the University Gozo centre under the direction of Dr Ray Ellul. Here we find a quite advanced scientific laboratory collecting relevant data which is shared with European centres overseas, providing a model of how Gozo, in spite of its size and relative insignificance can collaborate with colleagues overseas and actually contribute very validly to the world scenario.

Finally, Mr Franco Masini reviews the development of Governance of Gozo over the ages, starting from Roman times up to and including the most recent political history of the island. He emphasises the role of individuals, like Archpriest Saverio Cassar during the overthrow of the French rule in Gozo, and that of Dr Anton Tabone in setting up the Gozo Civic Council and his struggle to ensure that Gozo retains some form of autonomous government.

These talks, while as distinct from each other as chalk and cheese, all emphasise some aspect of Gozitan life of which we should all be aware. Whether it is past history or current event, they are all relevant to the moulding of the concept of what Gozo is now or could be in the future. It is for this reason that it was considered useful to publish these talks in the form of a booklet, so that they become available also to those who missed the original presentation. It is hoped that other publications of this nature will be made available from time to time, on topics of relevance to the Gozitan public.