Wara s-suċċess tal-ewwel edizzjoni f’Mejju 2023, id-Djoċesi ta’ Għawdex qed ittella’ Shema – Lejl Imdawwal mill-Ewkaristija, nhar is-Sibt 2 ta’ Mejju 2026, bejn is-7.00pm u 12.00am. L-isem ta’ din l-attività hu meħud mill-kelma Lhudija Shema, “Isma’, Iżrael”, l-ewwel kelma tat-talba biblika li kull Lhudi kien jitlob ta’ kuljum (Dewt 6:4-5).
L-attività se tkun tikkonsisti f’aktar minn 20 attrazzjoni b’xejn fil-qalba tal-Belt Victoria, li b’xi mod kollha sa jkollhom rabta mal-Misteru tal-Ewkaristija, li hu fil-qalba tal-ħajja tal-Knisja, u li d-Djoċesi ta’ Għawdex matul dawn is-snin qed tixħet aktar attenzjoni fuqu permezz tal-Pjanijiet Pastorali tagħha.
Dan il-lejl tat-2 ta’ Mejju, b’bixra ta’ notte bianca b’togħma Nisranija, se jinkludi bosta attivitajiet li jvarjaw minn wirja li toffri lil min iżurha esperjenza ħajja, għal kunċerti mużikali, għal esebizzjonijiet fil-beraħ minn artisti lokali, għal bejgħ ta’ ikel b’tema biblika, għal mixegħliet b’tema Ewkaristika, kif ukoll attivitajiet immirati għat-tfal. Għal dan il-għan se jintużaw kemm knejjes u binjiet pubbliċi, u kemm pjazez u toroq fil-qalba tal-belt ewlenija tal-gżira Għawdxija, fejn il-pubbliku, bl-għajnuna ta’ mappa, ikun jista’ jdur minn attrazzjoni għall-oħra u jitgħallem dwar l-Ewkaristija.
Shema – Lejl Imdawwal mill-Ewkaristija se jsir bl-involviment kemm ta’ komunitajiet u gruppi fil-Knisja f’Għawdex, u kemm ta’ artisti individwali, bl-għan li barra l-messaġġ prinċipali reliġjuż jippromovi wkoll il-kultura u t-tradizzjonijiet lokali.
Fost dawn hemm is-sopran Dorothy Baldacchino, l-arpista Jacob Portelli, il-vjolinista Pierre Louis Attard, il-kantanta Hannah Theuma, il-koreografa taż-żfin Deborah Agius, il-Beta Entertainment Theatre Academy (dir. Jamie Camilleri), is-Seguna Folk Group (dir. Michael Curmi), u l-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija EspressjonArti Għarb.
Fit-toroq ħelwin tal-qalba tal-belt l-antika ta’ Għawdex, f’temp ta’ ftit sigħat wieħed se jkun jista’ jgawdi l-ilħna tal-Korijiet tat-tfal Madonna tas-Sokkors (Ta’ Kerċem), Fjur tal-Martri Margerita (Ta’ Sannat), Ulied il-Battista (ix-Xewkija), Virgo Children’s Choir (Għajnsielem), u Aurora Youth Choir (il-Belt Victoria), kif ukoll dawk tal-Kor Levita Laurentius (San Lawrenz) u fl-aħħar iżda mhux l-inqas tal-Kor Djoċesan (dir. Dorienne Portelli) li se jtella’ kunċert fuq il-palk prinċipali fi Pjazza Indipendenza, segwit mill-kunċert finali mill-Gozo Youth Orchestra (dir. Mro Dr Joseph Grech).
Tirritorna wkoll id-diskussjoni ħajja bis-sehem ta’ panel apposta u l-pubbliku, din id-darba dwar l-attwalità tal-quddiesa, immoderata minn Fabian Demicoli.
Qabel jiftaħ il-programm kollu, fil-Bitħa tal-Kurja Veskovili fi Triq ir-Repubblika, is-Sibt fl-10.00am il-pubbliku hu mistieden għal taħdita dwar l-Ambjenti Liturġiċi Primittivi fl-Art Imqaddsa minn Dr Dennis Mizzi (mid-Dipartiment tal-Istudji Orjentali tal-Università ta’ Malta), waqt li fl-istess post, filgħaxija, diversi qarrejja ta’ esperjenza jkunu jaqraw siltiet dwar l-Ewkaristija meħuda mill-Iskrittura u mit-Tradizzjoni tal-Knisja.
Attrazzjoni unika oħra se tkun il-Wirja interattiva dwar l-istorja u l-iżvilupp tal-Ewkaristija fis-sotterran tal-istess Kurja tal-Isqof, li tibqa’ wkoll miftuħa fil-ġimgħat ta’ wara, kif ukoll il-mixegħliet b’tema Ewkaristika fi Triq ir-Repubblika.
Il-Mużew tal-Katidral ta’ Għawdex, b’kollezzjoni unika ta’ teżori artistiċi, għal din il-lejla speċjali se jkun miftuħ b’xejn.
Shema – Lejl Imdawwal mill-Ewkaristija qed tittella’ b’għajnuna finanzjarja minn APS Bank.
https://fb.me/e/618ButUxs EN
SHEMA – A NIGHT ILLUMINATED BY THE EUCHARIST
Following the success of its inaugural edition in May 2023, the Diocese of Gozo is once again presenting Shema – A Night Illuminated by the Eucharist on Saturday 2 May 2026, from 7.00pm until midnight.
The event takes its name from the Hebrew word Shema (“Hear, O Israel”), the opening word of a central biblical prayer recited daily in Jewish tradition (Deut 6:4-5).
Set in the heart of Victoria, the evening will feature a wide range of more than 20 free cultural and spiritual activities, all inspired by the Mystery of the Eucharist, which lies at the core of the Church’s life and remains a central focus of the Diocese’s pastoral plans.
Blending the atmosphere of a notte bianca with a distinctly Christian identity, the programme will include immersive experiences, live musical performances, outdoor artistic installations, themed food stalls, and activities for children. Churches, public buildings, streets, and squares across the city centre will serve as venues, allowing visitors to explore the event through a guided route and discover different aspects of the Eucharist along the way.
The initiative brings together a broad spectrum of participants, including Church communities, local organisations, and individual artists, aiming not only to convey a strong spiritual message but also to celebrate Gozo’s cultural heritage and traditions.
Featured performers include soprano Dorothy Baldacchino, harpist Jacob Portelli, violinist Pierre Louis Attard, singer Hannah Theuma, choreographer Deborah Agius, the Beta Entertainment Theatre Academy (dir. Jamie Camilleri), the Seguna Folk Group (dir. Michael Curmi), and the Maltese Association EspressjonArti Għarb.
Throughout the evening, audiences will also be able to enjoy performances by several children and youth choirs from across Gozo, together with the Kor Levita Laurentius and the Diocesan Choir under the direction of Dorienne Portelli. The latter will perform on the main stage in Independence Square, followed by the closing concert by the Gozo Youth Orchestra (dir. Mro Dr Joseph Grech).
A live panel discussion will also return, with the participation of the public and focusing this year on the contemporary relevance of the Holy Mass. The discussion will be moderated by Fabian Demicoli.
Earlier in the day, at 10.00am, the public is invited to attend a talk at the Bishop’s Curia courtyard in Republic Street, where Dr Dennis Mizzi (University of Malta) will speak on Primitive Liturgical Environments in the Holy Land. Later on that evening, the same venue will host readings by experienced readers, featuring texts on the Eucharist drawn from Scripture and Church Tradition.
Among other highlights is an interactive exhibition exploring the history and development of the Eucharist, hosted in the underground floor of the Curia, which will remain open in the weeks following the event. Visitors can also experience a series of Eucharistic-themed candle installations set up along Republic Street.
For this special occasion, the Gozo Cathedral Museum will open its doors free of charge, offering access to its unique collection of artistic treasures.
Shema – A Night Illuminated by the Eucharist is being organised with the financial support of APS Bank.
https://fb.me/e/618ButUxs
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