Christus Natus Est

Christus

NatusEst A photographic essay commemorating 800 years from the first Christmas Crib staged by St Francis of Assisi 1223-2023

Għaqda Ħbieb tal-Presepju Għawdex - Malta 1985 The Christmas story is simple and yet it still captivates us all and will continue to do so. Our islands have a long tradition of love towards this event which is enshrined in the Crib.

Way back in May 1985, the late Joe Galea informed Angelo Stefanucci that together with George Borg and the parish priest of St Lawrence Fr Michael Borg, he was ready to set up an Association and asked him for recognition as the First Association of the Crib to be set up in the Maltese Islands. George Scicluna drew the sketch which included the emblem of Gozo: three hills, a star and the sea, the Nativity in a cave on the central hill. The first Association meeting took place on 4 October 1985. Later on, the Gozo delegation took part in the Innsbruck Congress during which Angelo Stefanucci handed Joe Galea, as President of the Gozitan Association of the Friends of the Crib, with a Diploma recognising him and his mates as the First Association to be set up in the Maltese Islands and as the representatives of our country. From then on, our Association became officially known as the ‘Association Friends of the Crib Gozo-Malta’. In the meantime, the Gozo Bishop Mgr Nicholas Cauchi gave the Association the sacristy of St Jacob’s Church in Victoria where it could hold its meetings. In 1986, the first Exhibition was held at the Circolo Gozitano Victoria and the first issue of the magazine ‘Friends of the Crib’ was published. We are glad to note that this magazine is still ongoing, thanks to the continuous efforts of Anton Galea. Since 1987, the Exhibition has been held in the Exhibition Hall in Victoria. Lately, we are also organising another Exhibition within the corridors of St Augustine’s Convent in Victoria. From time to time, our members take part in various congresses of the Crib abroad, especially with the help of Carmen Camilleri, who is not only a very active member but has also been chosen as the Secretary of the UN.FORE.PRAE. For a good number of years, our Association had its centre in the basement of the Bishop’s Curia where regular meetings were held, as well as a good number of Cribs Exhibitions. Hopefully, we are now heading to achieve a new premises in Għarb. We wish all the success to the new President John Cassar who is doing his best to keep the Association going and promoting the Crib in every household.

The Association has a good number of members, many of whom take part in the Annual Seminar. Moreover, we are thankful to see that several branches have emerged from our Association, all of which are doing their best to promote the Crib in their respective villages.

The Crib’s Journey with St Francis Grand Master’s Palace, Valletta: 18 November 2023 - 21 January 2024 The Parliament of Malta, Valletta: 14 December - 6 January 2024 St Augustine Friary, Victoria: 8 December 2023 - 6 January 2024 Organising Team Benny Camilleri, Carmen Camilleri, David Debono Helpers Joseph Abdilla, Martin Abela, John Cachia, Tessie Cachia, John M. Cassar, Maria Farrugia Natalie Feddon, Manuel Gauci, Frankie Grixti, Ruth Muscat, Ian Pintley, Alfred Portelli, Rita Scerri, Pacifico Scerri, Raymond Spiteri, David Xuereb, Josephine Xuereb With the Support of: Arca Restauri, Bugeja Bros. Ltd, De Valier, Elektra, ESS, Event Solutions Malta, Express Trailers GrainWorks, Good Causes Fund, Heritage Malta, Luciano, Tarapace, The Christmas Shop (Gozo), Tower Ironmongery

ChristusNatusEst A photographic essay commemorating 800 years from the first Christmas Crib staged by St Francis of Assisi 1223-2023

ChristusNatusEst A photographic essay commemorating 800 years from the first Christmas Crib staged by St Francis of Assisi 1223-2023

Editors Carmen Camilleri, Godwin Vella Photography & Design Pierre Balzia Image Enhancement Kimberly Azzopardi Technical Support Margaret Abdilla Cunningham, George Agius, Dylan Cachia, Kenneth Cassar, David Debono, Krystle Farrugia, Fiona Vella, Maria Rosaria Zammit Abouzid Printing Gutenberg Press Ltd. Acknowledgements Heritage Malta Chairman, Board of Directors. CEO, COO, and staff members in the Conservation, Curatorial, ICT & Corporate Services, Projects Divisions; Parliament of Malta, St Augustine Friary - Victoria.

ISBN: 978-9918-619-56-6 Produced by © 2023 Heritage Malta Publishing.

All rights reserved in all countries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form without the prior written permission of the author and the publisher.

Foreword The journey with St Francis, 800th anniversary from his first Nativity scene

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his year, we are celebrating the 800th anniversary from when St Francis created his first crib in Greccio. Surely, the tradition of nativity scenes has evolved during the years and has spread amongst all the nations around the world. St Francis wanted that the message of the nativity crib be spread around the world and mostly enter in each and every house during the Christmas period. Today, we can surely say that the nativity crib has reunited the nations in its various forms as people unite and represent their own way of doing the nativity scene according to their culture and tradition but which finally all send the same message - that Jesus was born to save humanity, being of whatever colour, nation or age. It is with this thought in mind that these international exhibitions have been created this year. In fact, these exhibitions had the aim to display various types of nativity cribs under the same roof to show different cultures sending the same message. May the message of peace that each nativity scene sends in its own way, help people to reunite not only across the country but also nationwide. Gloria et Pax. Carmen Camilleri Secretary Universalis Foederatio Praesepistica

Pensieri...

Q

uest’anno ricorre l’importante anniversario degli ottocento anni dalla prima rappresentazione della Natività voluta da San Francesco di Assisi durante la notte di Natale del 1223 a Greccio, un piccolo borgo in provincia di Rieti, in Italia.

Durante quella Santa Notte il paese di Greccio è diventata una nuova Betlemme, la terra che ha visto nascere Gesù nella semplicità e nella povertà di una grotta e forse proprio l’ambiente naturale di Greccio in cui si è svolta la vicenda, ha suscitato in San Francesco le stesse emozioni vissute qualche anno prima in Terra Santa.

La Mostra che quest’anno è allestita qui a Malta ha questo importante obiettivo: far rivivere quelle stesse emozioni vissute dalla gente ottocento anni fa; sarà forse che il territorio di questa isola richiama facilmente le terre di Betlemme, con i colori caldi delle pietre delle costruzioni storiche, i particolari delle architetture, la vegetazione di palme di palme e di cipressi, ma qui si può toccare con mano l’importanza della tradizione del presepe che ogni anno è custodita e portata avanti dalla locale Associazione Presepistica.

Mi piace pensare che con questo importante evento, si possa creare un legame diretto tra l’Italia che ha visto nascere il presepe con la sua affascinante storia e tradizione e l’isola di Malta, una terra dal fascino speciale da scoprire e i presepi italiani che sono qui esposti, vogliono portare un po’ di cultura e arte italiana in mezzo a voi.

Il mio augurio speciale è che ognuno di noi, visitando questa Mostra e passeggiando lungo le via delle città, possa ritrovare quel sentimento vero e autentico per contemplare il mistero del Natale di San Francesco, ricordando che la nuova Betlemme può sempre nascere nel nostro cuore.

Il presepe è la Buona Novella che diventa presente, è la Natività che rinasce: è ogni anno si fa storia viva, universale e locale, perchè ogni cultura ne fa lo specchio di se stessa.

Nicolò Celegato Presidente Associazione Cammino ad Oriente

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Pensieri...

D

esidero ringraziare l'associazione di Malta per avermi invitato a partecipare alla rassegna presepiale "In cammino con San Francesco tra i Presepi". Manifestazione di altissimo livello in un luogo importante e prestigioso. Un ringraziamento particolare all'organizzazione per la squisita ospitalità ricevuta!

Domenico Petrucci

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i piace l'idea di paragonare il mio percorso presepistico ad un lungo viaggio... un viaggio che sempre arricchisce con nuove conoscenze e nuove esperienze! Il viaggio che mi ha portato a vivere questa bellissima ed emozionante esperienza con gli amici di Malta sarà un ricordo indelebile nella mia memoria. A Malta ci sono dei veri "amici" del Presepio che con tanto lavoro, cuore e passione hanno realizzato qualcosa di straordinario... per me è stato un grande onore essere stato coinvolto in questo importante progetto.

Antonio Pigozzi Bellezza, Unione, Passione

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uesta meravigliosa esposizione presepiale, di alto livello, penso possa essere riassunta con queste tre parole:

BELLEZZA: la magia dei locali di esposizione racchiude ogni singola opera d'arte dando la giusta miscela ai colori, alle luci, alle ambientazioni e ai paesaggi.

UNIONE: le opere provenienti da vari artisti e realizzate con le tecniche tipiche di ogni territorio, fanno percepire un legame con le tradizioni e con uno stesso obiettivo di condivisione.

PASSIONE: l'energia, l'amicizia, l'accoglienza degli organizzatori e le emozioni che si percepiscono nel visionare le opere presepiali, riconducono ad una passione vera e ad un'evidenza dei valori tipici del presepe di San Francesco. Grazie per questa importante e vera esperienza.

Silvia Gigli

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Time to Rejoice George Agius & Godwin Vella

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alta and Gozo boast of an unparalleled annual cycle of pious manifestations abundant with pageantry, artistry, and enchantment. No single month is spared, while the tempo of the mundane routine is often dictated by the mood of the Catholic Liturgical calendar. Every community, even the most modest, pools its resources to reaffirm its collective identity by way of pompous celebrations in honour of its holy patron. Spanning several days and in some instances a few weeks, festas comprise extravagant street decorations, spectacular fireworks, and cheerful band marches, in conjunction with a full programme of liturgical services animated by orchestral polyphony in the richly adorned churches, and the solemn parading of the holy patron’s artistic effigy along the main streets. Indeed, an exuberance of piety, virtuosity, and delight.

The tone assumes a more intimate and reflective character during the leading solemnities of Christmas and Easter.

Theologically, Easter is the very pivot of the Christian faith. It celebrates Christ’s triumphal defeat of evil and death on the third day following his cruel crucifixion to redeem humanity from its sins. Easter is furthermore an indisputable reassurance to Christians that all people of good will are destined to eternal bliss. This fundamental belief is reinvigorated during the weekly Sunday Mass.

Yet, Christmas, which reveres the birth of Jesus Christ as a human being, strikes a chord with a far more populous audience.

The narrative is infectious – a young and unassuming couple embrace for the first time their baby in a rudimentary setting.

Devotion apart, the scene brims with affection, hope and authentic simplicity, and engages on an emotional and spiritual level all spectators, irrespective of nationality, age, gender, and social stratification. Essentially, the nativity of Jesus Christ is a timeless personification of benevolence and charm.

The Holy Scriptures fail to indicate a specific day for the birth of Jesus Christ, but the Western Church’s choice of December 25th was appreciably obvious. In the then Julian Calendar, it coincided with the winter solstice and the apex of the week-long festivities in honour of Saturn, the Roman God of agriculture and time. Significantly, this proved to be the most popular festivity of the Romans. Besides offering gifts to the gods to ensure a successful sowing season, the Romans decorated their homes, shed their traditional togas in favour of colourful clothes, allowed their servants to sit with them at the table, and exchanged gifts.

The christening of this pagan festival and its noble customs was thereby a question of when, not if. In turn, its gallant sentiments transcended Christian belief. Christmas is arguably the most cherished festivity worldwide. Most peoples, Christian or not, equate 25 December with peace, fraternity, and genuine joy.

February

De ce m be r

ary nu a J

Ma rc h

Ordinary Time

Two Full Months Pascal Triduum

Collectively, Advent and Christmastide bridge from end November till beginning February. The first Sunday of Advent also triggers the Liturgical year: from 27 November to 3 December. Advent anticipates the celebration of the Mystery of Incarnation. Besides preparing the faithful for the holy commemoration of Jesus Christ’s physical birth in Bethlehem, Advent kindles the longing for frequent and wholehearted participation in the Eucharist and reignites the hopeful expectation of the eschatological Second Coming at the end of time. The latter assumes particular significance when taking into consideration the origins of the term Advent. Derived from Latin ‘adventus’, it means coming or arrival, and corresponds to the Greek word ‘parousia’ which the New Testament associates with Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. Being a period of spiritual calibration, the prevailing Liturgical colour of Advent is purple.

It only changes into rose on the third or Gaudete Sunday. The Roman Rite of the Catholic Church charts the spiritual journey of its followers by dedicating the readings of the Sunday Mass to a sagacious succession of readings, namely: (1) the Second Coming of Christ, (2) John the Baptist and the other prophets who painstakingly prepared the way of the Lord, (3) the innate joy (Gaudete) brought about by the coming of Christ the Saviour, and (4) the role played by Mary and Joseph in the unfolding of events.

Lent

Christmastide

ril Ap

r be cto O

LITURGICAL YEAR

Eastertide

May

November

Advent

Ju ne

Ordinary Time

ly Ju

August

Sep te m be r

The Liturgical year of the Catholic Church starts with the first Sunday of Advent and ends with the The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Nearest Sunday to 30 November

First Sunday of Advent

3 Sundays before Christmas

Second Sunday of Advent

2 Sundays before Christmas

Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday before Christmas

25 December

26 December

27 December

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord

Feast of St Stephen Protomartyr

Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist

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The First Vespers of 24 December introduce Christmastide, a period of 40 days that comes to an end on 2 February, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord (Candlemass). Christmastide is in turn made up of two components, namely the Christmas Octave (25 December to 1 January) and Epiphanytide (Epiphany eve to Candlemas). Being one of the principal solemnities of the Liturgical Calendar, the celebration of Christmas begins with the Evening Prayers and Vigil Mass on 24 December and persist for eight full days (Octave). The eighth day, which falls on 1 January, marks the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. All seven days from 26 December till 1 January receive the same liturgical treatment as 25 December, namely the choice of some prayers in the Liturgy of the Hours, the recital of the Gloria and the Christmas Preface during Holy Mass. Significantly, four of the six days falling between Christmas and New Year’s Day double up as Feast of St Stephen Protomartyr (26 December), Feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist (27 December), Feast of the Holy Innocents (28 December), and Feast of the Holy Family (commonly first Sunday after Christmas). These reinforce in one way or other the centrality of the Mystery of Incarnation in the Story of Salvation. The prevailing Liturgical colour of the Christmas Octave is white, symbolising purity, holiness, and reverence. It switches to red for the feasts of St Stephen and the Holy Innocents respectively, to reflect the blood shed by these early Christian martyrs.

The Christmas Octave is shortly followed by a subset of festivities tightly linked to the theological significance of the Nativity of Our Lord. First in line is the Solemnity of Epiphany or the Manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles personified by the visiting Magi. Indeed, the term Epiphany derives from the Greek ‘epiphaneia’ which means appearance, while tradition has it that the wisemen bore the names Balthazar, Melchior, and Gaspar, and originated from Arabia, Persia, and India, respectively. Historically, Epiphany was celebrated on 6 January, but since the 1970s, some dioceses adopted the Sunday after New Year’s Day. The theme of manifestation is further reinforced during the following Sunday, when the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus is celebrated. The extraordinary events prompted by the baptism rite administered by St John the Baptist (namely the opening of Heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a white dove, and the loud uttering of the words “This is my own dear son with whom I am pleased”) confirmed the identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and launched his divine ministry. Christmastide comes to an end on 2 February with the Feasts of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the Purification of Virgin Mary. These mirror the Jewish rites of offering the first-born male child to the Lord and of the purification of the mother 40 days after giving birth to a boy (thereby 40 days after 25 December). 2 February is also known as the Candlemas, due to the traditional rite of candle blessing, symbol of Jesus as the true Light of the World.

A handful of weeks, and in some instance days, of Ordinary Time follow. Lent, a period of preparation for the leading Solemnity of Easter, activates 40 days before the full moon that occurs on or after the Spring Equinox.

28 December

Feast of the Holy Innocents

Sunday after Christmas

1 January

6 January

Sunday after Epiphany

2 February

Feast of the Holy Family

Solemnity of Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord

Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord

Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord

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Ordinary Time

A Cornucopia of Noble Traditions The Christmas Season overflows with blissful traditions varying from edifying devotions to delightful confections, and mesmerising public ornaments to veiled kind deeds. These echo the virtuous practices that prevail in the universal Catholic realm but are nonetheless palpably distinctive. Furthermore, the indigenous Christmas heritage is far from proportional to the modest headcount of the Maltese and Gozitans. The course of history blessed the tiny, central Mediterranean Archipelago with quite a few charismatic personages who laboured to instil veneration for Christmas and its righteous meanings.

Their endeavours succeeded to foster a rich assortment of noble traditions that are still outstandingly budding.

The Demonstration of Baby Jesus At the outset of the 1920s St George Preca thought of parading the effigy of Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. The idea found fertile ground and the members of the Society of Christian Doctrine he had founded a few years earlier held the first procession, or demonstration as St George Preca preferred to label it, in the streets of Ħamrun and Marsa. It proved to be truly evoking. In due course, the branches of the Society introduced this custom in the respective towns and villages across Malta and Gozo. Typically, the effigy of Baby Jesus is carried in a plinthed manger, while the congregation chants traditional Christmas carols to the tune of the accompanying marching band. Colourful fretwork lanterns displaying inspiring quotes also feature prominently.

Vigil and Midnight Mass Late in the evening, the churches open their doors in anticipation of a full programme of carols and drama. The vigil, which generally leads up to midnight, is wrapped up with the delivery of a sermon by one or two young members of the congregation. This sermon traces its origins to the late nineteenth century and synthesises the millennial Story of Salvation from the fall of mankind (the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden) to the birth of Jesus Christ. As the clock strikes midnight, the life-size effigy of Baby Jesus is carried ceremoniously towards the presbytery and placed in a prominent spot. Holy Mass is then celebrated. Lastly, the congregation exchanges greetings and enjoys a cup of warming imbuljuta (cocoa drink with chestnuts) on the church parvis.

Fretwork lanterns accompanying the Demonstration of Baby Jesus at Żabbar (2017) Courtesy: Brian Psaila

Angelo Magro delivering the traditional Christmas sermon at St Lawrence Collegiate Church, Vittoriosa (2021) Courtesy: Angele Magro Buhagiar

Inspiring Décor and Melodies

Polychromed wood effigy of Baby Jesus Courtesy: Angelo Schembri Collection

The Western World is dominated by angels, candles, stars, and sentimental ballads from late November to beginning January. Malta and Gozo are no exception. Practically all main thoroughfares, squares and public buildings are dressed up with artistic compositions of blinking colourful lights. Christmas trees and nativity scenes are likewise placed in prominent locations. The celebratory spirit filters through most households. Elaborately adorned Christmas trees are set up in halls or living rooms, while blooming poinsettias, Christmas Fathers and gnomes are also placed in highly visible spots. Pride of place is nevertheless awarded to the effigy of Baby Jesus surrounded by vetches (Maltese: ġulbiena). An increasing number of households, in particular returned migrants to the United States, take the decorative spree to the next level. The exteriors of their residences are jazzed up with hundreds of twinkling lights and glowing representations of the Nativity Scene and Christmas Fathers delivering gifts. Festive décor calls for rousing music. The air is filled with the tunes of a seasoned compendium. World-renowned hits in English and Italian complement the plentiful medley in the native language, including the popular lullaby ‘Ninni La Tibkix Iżjed’ (originaly titled ‘Il-Benniena ta’ Ġesù Bambin’) penned by the Jesuit Indri Schembri in 1864.

Delectable Confections

Honey Rings (Maltese: Qagħaq tal-Qastanija)

The festive mood is marked by the consumption of sumptuous delicacies, as epitomised by the bonanza of traditional confections. The list of time-honoured sweets crafted by the people of Malta and Gozo includes honey rings (Maltese: qagħaq tal-qastanija), sugar fritters (Maltese: xkumvat), date fritters (Maltese: imqaret), bread pudding (Maltese: pudina tal-ħobż), and a warm cocoa drink with chestnuts (Maltese: imbuljuta). The Christmas log and the Christmas cake were also naturalised during the unfolding of the twentieth century.

Thoughtful Exchanges The Roman tradition of gift exchange during the then feast of Saturn (metamorphed into Christmas Day) came of age again by the late twentieth century. Previously, gifts were given a week later, that is on New Year’s Day (Maltese: l-Istrina). The past few decades also witnessed the germination of multiple nationwide telethons in aid of charitable institutions.

One of Us

Holy Family and stable animals

The climber (Maltese: ix-xabbatur) The stupefied (Maltese: l-għaġeb)

The sleeper (Maltese: ir-rieqed)

Contrary to most other narratives featured in the Holy Scriptures, the nativity of Jesus Christ is not deemed a long bygone happening in a remote land. It is both perennially current and intimately linked to millions of peoples across expansive geographic regions and diverse ethnographic realities. Every community of faithful the world over considers the birth of Baby Jesus topical to its destiny, to the extent that most nativity scenes reflect the racial and cultural traits of the respective peoples.

In the same vein, traditional Christmas scenes in Malta and Gozo mirror the local topographic and socio-cultural characteristics. For instance, the crib (Maltese: presepju) comprises terraced fields demarcated by dry rubble walls, sparse and low-lying vegetation, cubical farmsteads, and wherever opportune, towering windmills on the crest of elevated locations. This typical Mediterranean landscape is inhabited by the Holy Family and a good number of unpretentious folks. The Virgin Mary and St Joseph wear conventional biblical costumes, whereas all other characters are dressed in traditional Maltese garbs. Men sport a long beanie (Maltese: milsa), a waist sash (Maltese: terħa), and in some instances a hooded coat (Maltese: kabozza). Women don a heavy veil (Maltese: ċulqana) and an overskirt (Maltese: tgeżwira). Livestock, particularly the brown-reddish cattle, the light-grey donkeys, and the coarse-wooled sheep are also characteristically local.

While most characters outside the cavernous stable are engaged in habitually mundane errands, traditional Maltese Nativity scenes feature a few distinct personages who exemplify the varying levels of engagement of the community at large with this profound and unique happening. The stupefied (Maltese: l-għaġeb) represents the members of society mesmerized by the Mystery of Incarnation, the climber (Maltese: ix-xabbatur) personifies the cohort which strives to grasp its full meaning, whereas the folk singers (Maltese: l-għannejja) epitomize the faithful filled with the joy of Christmas. On the other hand, the sleeper (Maltese: ir-rieqed) embodies the faction that adopts a passive stance.

The folk singers and musicians (Maltese: l-għannejja u l-mużiċisti)

History Repeats Itself The traditional cribs’ anachronistic pre-World War II setting is also of note. It coincides with the establishment of St George Preca’s Society of Christian Doctrine, popularly known as M.U.S.E.U.M., and the resultant impetus to popularise the Christmas festivity in the Maltese Islands. Up till then, Nativity Scenes were mostly associated with churches, monasteries, and affluent households.

The state of affairs took a significant twist during the inter-war years. Every child or adolescent frequenting one of the Society’s centres started being gifted a statuette of Baby Jesus or a small crib in the run up to Christmas. Local craftsmen fuelled further the Christmas crib trend by producing affordable clay or wax figurines (Maltese: pasturi) portraying daily life in rural Malta. In due course, the unstoppable march of time altered drastically the peasants’ way of life, but the cribs preserved the pre-industrial ambiance.

Crib figurines in traditional Maltese costumes

An equally remarkable stimulus was imparted by the establishment of multiple groups of Christmas Crib enthusiasts, including the Għaqda Ħbieb tal-Presepju Għawdex-Malta (1985). Workshops and master classes for prospective and active crib builders and figurine sculptors have since been held on a frequent basis, while most groups stage temporary collective exhibitions in central venues. Local, regional, and national competitions for static and mechanical cribs displayed in private residencies also proliferated.

These initiatives are complemented by the setting up of a permanent display on Christmas cribs and traditions at the National Museum of Ethnography (Inquisitor’s Palace, Vittoriosa) in 2011.

Christmas crib fervour in Malta and Gozo took an even more daring turn with the introduction of live nativity scenes. The first editions date back to the 1950s, but the turn of the millennium witnessed a revival of the genre. Entire neighbourhoods are accurately transformed into full-size cribs, displaying artisan workshops, eateries, and animal pens. The nativity scene is acted out by a young couple and their real-life baby. Little is left to the imagination, not even the pungent odours. Visiting one of these live cribs feels like travelling back 800 years and stepping into the first nativity scene set up in Greccio by St Francis of Assisi. History is perennially repeating itself.

The Ħal Lija live crib (2018) Courtesy: Alistair Lowell

The Stables

Grand Master’s Palace, Valletta The sumptuous Grand Master’s Palace has been serving as Malta’s leading centre of power for the past 450 years. Besides hosting the residence of the Grand Masters, and after 1798 the French Commander and the British Commissioners and Governors respectively, the Palace compound incorporates a constellation of amnesties closely linked to authority. The list comprises a huge first-floor hall containing enough weaponry and armour for thousands of soldiers and two underlying ribbed-barrel vaults intended for an intimidating cavalry detachment.

Cavalries boasted of superior mobility and incisiveness over opponents on foot and were deemed the elite regiment of any military force up to the turn of the twentieth century. Suffice to note that warrior saints were repeatedly portrayed on horseback. Cavalries played an equally important role in official pageantry. Imposing, elegant and sturdy, mounted soldiers exalted the splendour and authority of the rulers.

The spacious stables span the entire breadth of the palatial compound and are datable to the late sixteenth century.

Recent restoration works were spearheaded by the exhaustive Grand Master’s Palace valorisation and regeneration project part-financed by the European Union Regional Development funds.

Adorazione dei Magi Diorama Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Heide Demetz and Silvia Gigli

In Cerca d’Allogio Diorama Crib: Fabio & Francesco Maruti Figurines: Francesco Narracci

Natività Popolare Alpina Diorama Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Val Gardena Natività Popolare Neve Diorama Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Heide Demetz

Opposite page: Presepju Diorama Crib: Joe Attard Figurines: Paben Natività Orientale Diorama Crib: Domenico Petrucci Figurines: Serena & Salvatore de Francesco 20

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Maternità Diorama Crib: Massimo Sorti Figurines: Francesco Narracci Annuncio ai Pastori Diorama Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Fratelli Castells

Opposite page: Natività Tirolese Diorama Crib: Fabio & Francesco Maruti Figurines: Raffaele de Angelis Presepju Diorama, Crib: Mark Scerri Figurines: Landi

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: David Debono & Natalie Feddom Figurines: Montserrat Ribes Presepio Averna Open Crib Crib: Joe Abdilla Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

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La Bottega di Nazareth Diorama Crib: Matteo Saldini Figurines: Montserrat Ribes Presepju Diorama Crib: Rita Scerri Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

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Visitazione Diorama Crib: Sergio Costa Figurines: Fratelli Castells

Presepio Diorama Crib: Giovanni Paina Figurines: Raffaele De Angelis

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Ritorno a Nazareth Diorama Crib: Domenico Petrucci Figurines: Domenico Petrucci

In Cerca d’Allogio Diorama Crib: Giovanni Paina Figurines: G Criscione

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Figurines Figurines: Raffaele de Angelis

Opposite page: Natività Diorama Crib: Massimo Sorti Figurines: Raffaele de Angelis Il-Ħajja fi Greccio Open Crib Crib: John Cachia Figurines: Alessandro Martinisi

Quella Notte di San Francesco Open Crib Crib: Benny Camilleri Figurines: Alessandro Martinisi

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Natività Open Crib Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Montserrat Ribes

I Primi Passi di Gesù Diorama Crib: Paolo Sorti Figurines: Fratelli Castells

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Presepju Diorama Crib: Manuel Gauci Figurines: Montserrat Ribes

Presepju Diorama Crib: John M. Cassar Figurines: Darren Spiteri

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Annunciazione Diorama Crib: Sergio Costa Figurines: Heide Demetz

Visitazione Diorama Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Salvatore De Francesco

Opposite page: Presepio di Carta Diorama Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Antonio Pigozzi & Silvia Gigli In Cerca d’Allogio Diorama Crib: Nicolò Celegato Figurines: Salvatore De Francesco

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Opposite page: Il Riposo Durante la Fuga Diorama, Crib: Frankie Grixti Figurines: Domenico Petrucci Presepe Diorama, Crib: Massimo Sorti Figurines: Fratelli Castells Madonna & Child Oil on Canvas Artist: Paul Cassar La Samaritana Diorama Crib: Domenico Petrucci Figurines: Domenico Petrucci

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Mużajk b’San Franġisk Mosaic Artist: Chev. Joseph Louis Meilak

Adorazione dei Pastori Diorama Crib: Nicolò Celegato Figurines: Francesco Narracci

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La Sagra Famiglia Diorama Crib: Nicolò Celegato Figurines: Mauro Marcato

Presepju tal-Kartapesta Open Crib Crib: Joseph Teuma Figurines: Montserrat Ribes

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Presepju tal-Karti Open Crib Artist: Maria Farrugia

Presepju Diorama Crib: Joe Farrugia Figurines: Ulrich Krippen

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Presepju Open Crib, Crib: Chev. Joseph Louis Meilak Figurines: Landi

Three Set of Figurines Figurines: Frans Muscat 39

Nativitas II Open Crib Artist: Victor Agius Courtesy of Il-Ħaġar Museum - Gozo

Prasepium Contemporary Crib Artist: Victor Agius Courtesy of Museo Internazionale Della Ceramica – Faenza

Presepju Open Crib Crib: Rita Scerri Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: Ian Pintley Figurines: Joseph Agius

Razzett Malti Open Crib Crib: Adrian Theuma Figurines: Adrian Theuma

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: Bruce Cortis Figurines: Jesmond Micallef

Presepju tal-Karti Open Crib Crib: Antonio Pigozzi & Silvia Gigli Figurines: Frankie Grixti

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Presepju Malti Open Crib Crib: Paul G. Cassar Figurines: George Farrugia

Ħarba lejn l-Eġittu Open Crib Crib: Miguel Zahra Figurines: Montserrat Ribes

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Val Gardena

Presepju Open Crib Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Moranduzzo

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Preżentazzjoni ta’ Ġesù fit-Tempju Open Crib Crib: George Borg Figurines: Jesmond Micallef

Presepju Open Crib Crib: David Xuereb Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: Alfred Portelli Figurines: Joseph Galea

Presepju Tond Open Crib Crib: Sandro Farrugia Figurines: Laurence Baldacchino

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Presepju f’Augsburg Open Crib Crib: Anton Galea Figurines: from Augsburg

Presepju Open Crib Crib: Manuel Gauci Figurines: Joseph Agius

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: Joe Abdilla Figurines: Francesco Narracci

Crib in a Bottle Carmel Bonnici Material: Glass & Wood Country of Origin: Malta Albert & Lina Mc Carthy Collection, Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/280

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M.U.S.E.U.M. Nativity Scene Material: Plaster Country of Origin: Malta Albert & Lina Mc Carthy Collection, Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/040

Handmade Crib in an Amphora Joe Camilleri Material: Clay & Wood Country of Origin: Malta Albert & Lina Mc Carthy Collection, Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/216

M.U.S.E.U.M. Nativity Scene Material: Plaster Country of Origin: Malta Albert & Lina Mc Carthy Collection, Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/220

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M.U.S.E.U.M. Nativity Scene Material: Plaster Country of Origin: Malta Albert & Lina Mc Carthy Collection, Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/219

Crib in a Nutshell Artist: Mary & Anton Haber Material: Walnut & Plaster Country of Origin: Malta Albert & Lina Mc Carthy Collection, Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/292

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Matchstick Crib with Sculpted Figures J. Micallef Material: Wood Country of Origin: Malta Albert & Lina Mc Carthy Collection, Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/265

Playmobil Crib – Article No. 3996.

Playmobil Material: Paper and Plastic Country of Origin: Malta Albert & Lina Mc Carthy Collection, Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/331

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17th Century, Statue of the Virgin Mary and St Joseph Unknown Neapolitan Artist Material: Polychromed wood Country of Origin: Italy MUŻA, Heritage Malta 11623-4 & 11621-2

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1901 Papier-mâché Crib with 19th-Century Wax and Textile Figures Giorgio Giuseppe Cachia (Crib) Sicilian Artist (?) Figurines Material: Papier-mâché, Wax, Metal Foil, Textile & Clay Country of Origin: Malta Heritage Malta FAS/MOD/12

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A B

E

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C

D A. Windmill Crib Material: Hand carved wood Country of Origin: Oberammergau, Germany Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/013 B. Bethlehem in a Three-Spired Orthodox Church Gy Kamaras Ktalin Material: Baked and painted ceramic Country of Origin: Budapest, Hungary Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/072 C. Nativity Scene from Peru Nestor Castro Rios Material: Clay Country of Origin: Cusco, Peru Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/159

F

D. Wooden Case Crib with Three figures Dressed in Tyrol Costumes Ren Prosel Material: Wood and fabric Country of Origin: Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/111 E. Eight-Figure Porcelain Crib Damian Ponce & Dahes S.A. Material: Gres porcelain Country of Origin: Malaga, Spain Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/357

G

F. Glass Nativity Scene Material: Glass Country of Origin: Taiwan Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/264 G. Portuguese Nativity Scene Vellas Loreto Material: Chalk Country of Origin: Bairro Alto, Lisbon, Portugal.

Heritage Malta, ETHN/CR/176 These artefacts form part of the Albert & Lina Mc Carthy Collection

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The Foyer

The Paliament of Malta,

Valletta

The Parliament or legislative body of the Republic of Malta traces its origins to 1921. Formerly incorporated in the Grand Master’s Palace, it relocated to the present, purposely built and dedicated premises in 2015. Construction works spanned from 2011 to 2015 and formed part of a more extensive project aimed at regenerating the entrance to Valletta, a UNESCO world heritage site and the smallest capital city of the European Union. The project also comprised the reconfiguration of City Gate and the transformation of the ruins of the nineteenth-century Royal Opera House into an open-air theatre.

Designed by the internationally acclaimed and prolific Italian architect Renzo Piano, Parliament House is a fusion of sophisticated engineering and fine craftsmanship. It consists of two adjoining cubical blocks clad with hard-wearing Lower Coralline Limestone and connected with bridges. The separating gap offers a glimpse of the towering Cavalier at their back.

The finishing of the expansive façades stands out. It echoes honeycombs, arguably reflecting the origins of the island’s archaic name ‘Melite’, which in the ancient world meant honey. More importantly, Parliament House is a zero emission building since heat energy is sourced from and transmitted to the mass of rock below.

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: Antoinette Aquilina Figurines: Landi

Presepju Diorama Crib: Joe Attard Figurines: Landi

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: John Cachia Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

Presepju Open Crib Crib: Benny Camilleri Figurines: Raffaele de Angelis

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Annunciazione Diorama Crib: Nicolò Celegato Figurines: Fratelli Castells

Natività Open Crib Crib: Nicolò Celegato Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: Bruce Cortis Figurines: Charlie Camilleri

Annuncio ai Pastori Diorama Crib: Sergio Costa Figurines: Belimpex

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Presepju Diorama Crib: Anton Galea Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

Natività Open Crib Crib: Frankie Grixti Figurines: Val Gardena

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Presepji Open Cribs Cribs: Chev. Joseph Louis Meilak Figurines: Landi

Il-Ħarba lejn l-Eġittu High Relief Crib: Frans Muscat Figurines: Frans Muscat

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Natività Diorama Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Montserrat Ribes

Trovano Alloggio Diorama Crib: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: Alexander Powell Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

Opposite page: Annuncio a Maria Diorama Crib: Paolo Sorti Figurines: Francesco Narracci

Presepju Diorama Crib: Rita Scerri Figurines: Francesco Narracci

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Natività Figurines: Adrian Theuma

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I Primi Passi di Gesù Diorama Crib: Stefano Tondi Figurines: Francesco Narracci

Il-Ħarba lejn l-Eġittu Diorama Crib: David Xuereb Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

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It-Talba tal-Presepista Ġesù Bambin, Kewkba tiddi fil-presepju tiegħi li t-tifkira ta’ twelidek ifakkar kull sena, ġib fuq familti ħafna barka u paċi. Il-presepju li Lilek jogħġbok tant huwa qalbi: għini nippeparah u nżommu sabiħ u nadif, lest biex jilqgħek: Ġesu’ Bambin ejja twieled ġewwa fija! Agħtini l-ferħ u l-imħabba li aħna l-bnedmin, bħal rgħajja u pellegrini eterni, tant infittxu u nixtiequ, dak il-ferħ u dik l-imħabba li Inti biss taf tagħti. Għini ningħaqad mal-kor tal-anġli li fis-sema u fl-art ikantaw u jistqarru ma’ kulħadd li Int il-veru Salvatur tagħna.

Ammen

The Prayer of the Christmas Crib Maker O Baby Jesus, shining Star in my Christmas crib, reminiscing Your birth every year brings blessings and peace to my family. Turn my heart, which you love so much, into Your manger: help me prepare my heart for Your coming by keeping it pure and clean, to welcome You: Jesus, come into my heart! Give me the joy and love which all men seek, like eternal shepherds and pilgrims, that which only You can give. And I pray, that I may unite with the choirs of angels in Heaven and Earth, to sing to all that You are our Saviour.

Amen

La Preghiera del Presepista Gesù Bambino, Stella che splendi nel mio presepio, la Tua nascita, che ogni anno voglio ricordare, porti benedizione e pace a tutta la mia famiglia. Il presepio che a Te piace di più è il mio cuore: aiutami a prepararlo, a tenerlo curato bello e pulito, pronto per accoglierti: nasci dentro di me Gesù! E donami quella gioia e quell’amore che tutti gli uomini, come eterni pastori e pellegrini, cercano da sempre e che solo Tu puoi donare. E ora ti chiedo di potermi unire al coro degli angeli che in cielo e in terra cantano a tutti che Tu sei il nostro Salvatore.

Amen

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The Cloister

St Augustine Friary, Victoria, Gozo The origins of the Augustinian Friary in Victoria predate living memory. According to an early modern tradition, a community of followers of St Augustine under the leadership of Bishop St Rossinianus found refuge in Gozo after being expelled by the Vandals from North Africa during the fifth century and established a hermitage in the outskirts of Xagħra. Subsequently, at some stage during the later Middle Ages, their successors seem to have been constrained to relocate to the present and less exposed site in Victoria.

It is still unclear what level of linkage, if any at all, existed between the alleged hermitage established by St Rossinianus and the present priory of the Ordo Sancti Augusti formally founded by Pope Alexander IV in 1256, and included in the 1450 list of shrines at which the customary indulgencies in connection with that Jubilee Year could be obtained. The extant church and friary were completed in 1666 and 1717, respectively.

The Augustinian Friars used to profess a more contemplative existence, thereby spending long hours in complete isolation. To this effect, all early eighteenth-century ground floor cells, although integrated seamlessly into the exquisitely proportioned cloistered complex, are provided with separate amenities.

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Il-Magħmudija tal-Mulej Diorama Crib: Joe Attard Figurines: Paben

It-Tħabbira tal-Anġlu Gabriel lil Marija Open Crib Crib: George Borg Figurines: Jesmond Micallef

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Presepju Open Crib Crib: Benny Camilleri Figurines: Raffaele de Angelis

Presepio Diorama Crib: Sergio Costa Figurines: Belimpex

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Natività Open Crib Crib: Anton Galea Figurines: Pierre Bugeja

Presepju tal-Karti Open Crib Crib: Antonio Pigozzi & Silvia Gigli Figurines: Frankie Grixti

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Presepji Open Cribs Cribs: Chev. Joseph Louis Meilak Figurines: Landi

Natività Figurines: Frans Muscat

Presepju Open Crib Cribs: Frank Pavia Figurines: Landi Presepju Open Crib Cribs: Frank Pavia Figurines: Miscellaneous

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Natività Popolare Diorama Cribs: Antonio Pigozzi Figurines: Salvatore de Francesco

Il Sogno di Giuseppe Diorama Cribs: Paolo Sorti Figurines: Landi

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Natività Popolare Diorama Crib: David Xuereb Figurines: Domenico Petrucci

Opposite page left:

Opposite page right:

Il Riposo Durante la Fuga Diorama Crib: Paolo Sorti Figurines: Fratelli Castells

Annuncio ai Pastori Diorama Crib: Stefano Tondi Figurines: Francesco Narracci

Il Riposo Durante la Fuga Diorama Crib: Paolo Sorti Figurines: Fratelli Castells

La Casa di Nazareth Diorama Crib: Stefano Tondi Figurines: C. Delgado

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Christmas all year round Kenneth Cassar

B

esides being presented as an early-modern centre of power, home to the Inquisitor and the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition between 1574 and 1798, the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu is also the National Museum of Ethnography.

Given its historic value as the former seat for the guardian of faith on the Islands, the museum focuses on religious traditions for its ethnographic displays. Carnival, Holy Week, Easter but also Christmas are intense religious periods so full of time-honoured traditions. Along with other festivities in the Liturgical Calendar, these were considered as central by the Inquisition itself. Some of these traditions have an intriguing history which has shaped Malta’s religious identity.

Heritage Malta is celebrating Christmas with a permanent exhibition highlighting the Maltese Christmas traditions and miniature cribs from around the world. This is the result of artworks from the national collection and the display of two remarkable collections from Albert and Lina McCarthy and Austin Galea.

Albert and Lina McCarthy were professional tour managers from Ħal Balzan. They have been collecting miniature cribs from around the world since the early 1990s. Inspired by a small crib which Albert’s mother had won during a social event, the couple started buying similarly sized cribs from every country they visited. Their collection amounts to more than 500 miniature works of art, a representative selection of which is on display all year round at the Inquisitor’s Palace.

The exhibited cribs feature intricate leaf paintings from India, colourful retablos from Peru, smooth soapstone sets from Kenya, delicate fretwork from Germany and many other examples from around the globe. This unique collection highlights the Nativity as a universal theme in history and across cultures.

These are displayed along another collection conveying the intangible heritage of Christmas in Malta – from the Maltese crib and crib figurines to the midnight church sermon, the relevance of the Society of Christian Doctrine in giving new life to Christmas traditions, processions, typical food and gift giving amongst others. Some of these exhibits are the work of Austin Galea himself who is a founding-member of the Għaqda Ħbieb tal-Presepju, Malta (crib association). He is an appreciably talented artisan, and a keen enthusiast of Maltese Christmas traditions. Among the artefacts on display are seven detailed dioramas which he did to represent local Christmas traditions and an audiovisual documenting him throughout the building of a typical Maltese crib.

The Christmas traditions permanent display is in turn complemented with a busy programme of outreach events every year. Together with Heritage Malta’s unit for education and outreach, the museum holds fun activities designed to provide participants with the opportunity to appreciate the intangible heritage of Christmas. Along the years, hands-on sessions included games related to the Festive Season, cooking of local Christmas culinary delights and making of typical crib figurines. This Christmas display is an integral part of the museum’s permanent exhibition and can be visited within the museum’s opening hours.

Christmas, which reveres the birth of Jesus Christ as a human being, strikes a chord with a vast audience. The narrative is infectious – a young and unassuming couple embrace for the first time their baby in a rudimentary setting. Devotion apart, the scene brims with affection, hope and authentic simplicity, and engages on an emotional and spiritual level all spectators, irrespective of nationality, age, gender, and social stratification.

Essentially, the nativity of Jesus Christ is a timeless personification of benevolence and charm.