PAX-The Puzzle that is Peace

This community project, being organised by Gozo Performance Group is based on the PAX outside St Francis Basilica, Assisi, Italy, whereby pilgrims offer peace prayers using Gozo stones as ‘prayers’. ‘Peace’, shall be the theme for installations, performance and an exhibition which will be part of this project.

This project runs from the 27^th August 2018 until 26^th October 2018.

The installation and setting up of installation itself shall be accompanied by peace songs and facilitated by recruits to engage audience participation showing how to add to the P A X, with a ‘purified’ stone washing of Gozo Fennel water.

Events shall take place on the following dates:

1. Introduction to PAX – The Puzzle that is Peace

An Installation in conjunction with the Gaulitana Festival of Music — 6^th — April with a backdrop of the Ġgantija Temples, Xagħra, at Sunset. Choirs will be in attendance, the installation remaining in place for the month of April, with a mound of stones for the general public, visitors and tourists to the Ġgantija Temples, to contribute to the Gozo prayer of peace.

2. Installation—27th August in front of San Lawrenz parish church

Taking a day of ritualistic placement of stones that remain in situ for approximately four days. There is a mound of stones for the general public and tourists to the area, to contribute to the peace prayer.

3. A larger Installation and Public Performance—14^th September; Marsalforn (below Triq Santa Marija around the corner from Gabbiano’s Restaurant) with the installation remaining in place for a further 5 days, with a mound of stones for the general public and tourists to the area, to contribute to the peace prayer.

4. Gozo Stones of Peace Exhibition – from 6-27th September 2019 (Sentinella Hall, Cittadella) showing development of the PAX Projects, photos, journals, costume development. Available stones for visitors and tourists to contribute to a part of the Gozo prayer of peace. Art work by collaborating Gozo Artists.

This project aims to give the community voice and direction, for expression through personal prayers for peace. This intends to leave a lasting memory of the Island of Gozo imprinted in tourists experience of Gozo as an Island of Peace.

For more information please contact Helene G Markstein: [email protected].

This project is endorsed by the Valletta 2018 Foundation.