https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/14579 2026-05-28T04:10:27Z 2026-05-28T04:10:27Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146778 2026-05-25T12:34:57Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The Gozo Observer : Issue 50 : 2026 Abstract: 1/ Editorial: On the occasion of the 50th edition of The Gozo Observer 2/ Mġarr Harbour: A Vision for Resilience and the Path to a Sustainable Gateway - Ivan Falzon and Michael Galea 3/ Leprosy in Gozo – a Historical Review - Charles Savona-Ventura 4/The Beautiful World of Sea Slugs in Gozo: Ecological Gems of the Mediterranean Renald Blundell and Abbie Barlow 5/The Case of Dun Karm Cachia of Żebbuġ: Colonial Medicine, Stigma, and Cultural Hegemony in Mid Twentieth Century Malta - Mario Saliba 6/ Il-Poetessa Mary Meylak (1905–1975) – Kif Nafha Jien - Charles Bezzina 7/ Bizzilla in Gozo During the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries - Saviour Tabone 8/Book Review: The Gozo Airfield - Geoffrey G. Attard 9/Book Review: Life is What you Make It - Mario Saliba 10/Recent Activities at the University of Malta – Gozo Campus - Joseph Calleja

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146777 2026-05-25T12:25:24Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Editorial : on the occasion of the 50th edition of The Gozo Observer Abstract: The Gozo Observer was first issued in May 1999, that is almost 27 years ago. Fifty editions (including the present issue) were published, carrying around 375 articles, covering a wide array of subjects associated with Gozo. The current editorial board of the journal is made up of three persons, namely myself as chair, Mr Joseph Calleja and Ms Caroline Camilleri Rolls. Professor Maurice Cauchi also served on the editorial board up to issue number 45. Mr Frank Grech was instrumental in the publication of early issues of the journal [excerpt].

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146768 2026-05-25T10:28:28Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Mġarr harbour : a vision for resilience and the path to a sustainable gateway Abstract: Connectivity is the pulse of Gozo. For those of us who call this island home, the stretch of water between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa is not merely a geographic divide; it is a daily reality that dictates the rhythm of our work, our education, and our access to essential services. At the heart of this reality stands Mġarr Harbour, our sole maritime gateway. It is an infrastructure that has served us faithfully for decades, yet today, it finds itself at a critical crossroads where the demands of the present are rapidly outstripping the structural legacies of the past.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146766 2026-05-25T10:20:08Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Leprosy in Gozo – a historical review Abstract: Based on linguistic consideration, leprosy has long been known on the Maltese Islands. The Maltese vernacular term for leprosy is Ġdiem [leper = mġiddem]; a word that originates from the Arabic جزم = jozam [leper = مَجْذوم = majzoon]. This potential long-standing endemicity of the disease is not surprising considering that the Maltese Islands have been central to the trade routes of the Mediterranean Sea right through history dating back to at least the Bronze Age period circa 3,500 years ago. The Islamic influence on the Maltese Islands, known to have lasted from 870-1249 AD, had a wide-ranging influence of various aspects of Maltese culture including language. In common with Semitic concepts towards leprosy, Islamic society looked upon leprosy as a punishment from God for immorality, and the Maliki law allowed either partner to dissolve a marriage because of leprosy. [excerpt]

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z