Għarb’s gorgeous countryside again becomes more than just a backdrop for the kite festival this October. Veronica Stivala lets her curiosity take flight as she finds out more.
Every October, Għarb’s countryside seems to look upward. Around the chapel of San Dimitri, the wind takes hold and the Gozo International Kite and Wind Festival turns the landscape into a picturesque scene.
For Mayor David Apap the festival is more than simply colouring the sky. It is, he remarks, “a celebration of family, friendship, heritage and the natural beauty of Għarb”. That sense of belonging runs through everything the event has become. “Its success lies in its authenticity,” he confides, describing the blend of kite displays, countryside, village spirit and the warmth Għarb is known for.
At its heart, the festival is also about passing something on. One of its main aims has always been to bring back the traditional pastime of kite flying and share it with younger generations. Each year, about 900 children take part in workshops where they build, decorate and fly their own kites; a simple but lasting lesson in creativity, imagination and the pleasure of being outdoors.
In an age dominated by screens and where we literally are not looking up, Apap’s description is indeed beautifully nostalgic: children, parents, grandparents and visitors alike running across the fields with their eyes to the sky. For a few hours, he muses, “age no longer matters – everyone becomes a child again”. It is a small line, but it captures the spirit of the festival with remarkable ease.
Throughout the afternoon, families spread blankets across the grass while children dart between homemade kites and professional displays: the scene is as much about togetherness as it is about spectacle. It is this gentle, unhurried atmosphere that makes the festival feel so rooted in place.
The location – San Dimitri – is part of the magic. The wide-open countryside, the sea breeze, the long views across the land all give the festival a setting that feels uniquely Gozitan.
Behind the scenes, the festival depends on close cooperation between the Għarb Local Council, the Ministry for Gozo—whose financial assistance makes the event possible—and local voluntary organisations, including the Għarb Patrons Festa Committee. That collaboration helps keep the event grounded in the village’s traditions, while also linking it to the Feast of Saint Demetrius the Martyr.
The celebrations now stretch well beyond kite flying. This year will bring illuminated kites at night, a traditional barbecue, live music, fireworks and on the final night, what is believed to be the largest traditional bonfire in the Maltese Islands. Religious celebrations at the historic chapel continue alongside the festivities, creating a meeting point between devotion and celebration.
As the festival has grown, so too have the challenges. Traffic, parking and accessibility all need careful attention and Apap stresses how the council works to improve them each year. The park-and-ride service from Victoria Bus Terminal remains a key part of that effort and visitors are strongly encouraged to use it.
The festival has also become a quiet boost for the local economy. Hotels, farmhouses, restaurants, cafés and shops all benefit, while visitors increasingly plan their trips months in advance. In Apap’s view, the festival also helps present Gozo as a family destination with substance, charm and character.
Still, for him, the greatest reward is a simpler one: seeing people happy. “We regularly hear first-time visitors tell us how impressed they are by the beauty of Għarb, the friendliness of its people and the unique atmosphere of the festival,” he notes proudly, adding how any promise to return the following year, perhaps the finest compliment of all.
Looking ahead, his hope is steady rather than grand. The festival should continue to grow, but never lose its soul. It should remain a celebration of “family, tradition, creativity, faith, nature and community spirit.”
And so, for one weekend each year, Għarb transforms into more than a quaint village hosting an event and offers visitors a chance to tap into childhood fun and joy while enjoying some much-needed fresh air and countryside.
The Gozo International Kite and Wind Festival runs on October 18, 19 and 20.
