Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Village

A few hundred metres away from the
idyllic village of San Lawrenz Ghawdex, lays the Ta' Dbiegi Crafts Village. During a recent visit to this Crafts
Village, GRTU officials met most of the owners and discussed their current
problems and heard their suggestions for improvements. GRTU took up immediate
action with the relevant Authorities in this regard.

First and foremost this Crafts
Village, which is well kept, should remain exclusively that what it is intended
for, a Crafts Village. I enjoyed watching Katrin at work in her pottery shop
which is her livelihood. She says however that things were not always easy and
it was her love for the arts that has kept her going through thin and thick.
Whilst working to produce her pottery, she stops on and off to deal with
customers as they wander through her well organised outlet. Although one must
say, I was told that this September she did not see the same business level as
last years. Katrin complains about the never introduced "night tariff" as her
electricity bills for operating her ovens are exorbitant.

Whilst she understands that there
could be more footpath at the Crafts Village, she is annoyed by the fact that a
number of owners, a minimal number, have swayed away from the concept of
on-site craft manufacturing and selling. They have moved to importing and just
retailing, which without fail leaved a sordid impact not only on her turnover
but also on the Crafts Village as a whole. It goes even further with comments
on the Trip Advisor calling it is a small ‘flea market', which is not the case
at all.

GRTU, working hand in hand with the
owners, is taking steps to ascertain that current problems faced are tackled
with the Authorities, something not east as one can expect.

As a small example, the signage
outside Ta' Dbiegi, has been in need of replacement for many years. Doesn't
cost much, but who is responsible? The Ministry of Gozo said that the sign has
been ordered and should be ready soon. We hope soon is not far away. Delays are
normal even for a trivial sign, let alone other issues!

Who will drive this mentality change
in Government Ministries, Departments or Authorities? The message is clear.