This vintage photo from the 1940s captures the Feast of St Mary in Victoria, Gozo, as a statue of the Assumption is carried in procession through a decorated street. Garlands stretch overhead, and a crowd of locals — some in traditional hats and others in colonial-era pith helmets — lines the street or walks alongside the procession. Balconies and buildings are draped in festive banners, while the open countryside appears faintly in the background. The image reflects both the solemnity and joy of this major Marian celebration at a time when faith and community were vital pillars of life in wartime Gozo.