Gozitans will commemorate March 31 as Freedom From The Maltese Day – or Jum il-Ħelsien mill-Maltin – from next year onwards, after non-essential travel between Malta and Gozo was banned yesterday.
Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri’s announcement was met with scenes of jubilation all across the sister island, as locals flouted social-distancing recommendations to celebrate the occasion.
“This is the day we’ve all been waiting for. I can’t believe it’s finally arrived,” said 36-year-old Thomas Bonello from Nadur, who, like many others, travelled to Mġarr harbour with his family to watch the last ever ferry leave for Ċirkewwa.
“No more ruining our Carnival, no more keeping us awake with your loud farmhouse parties, no more pronouncing ‘q’ as anything other than ‘k’,” he added, with tears in his eyes.
“I’m not really interested in politics, but I’m happy I now get to love whoever, or whatever, I want,” said 67-year-old shepherd Raymond Bajada.
Talks are now underway to decide who will lead the newly independent Gozitan republic. The frontrunners for the position are Clint Camilleri, former PN Minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, and the sunken remains of the Azure Window.
A celebratory concert to mark the occasion, entitled Ġbejnsna, will take place this evening, to be repeated on March 31 every year going forward. Michela Pace will sing a rendition of ‘Tewma 2020’.
There are also plans to create a statue of Covid-19, the entity whose actions enabled the secession, in Victoria.
