easter The Malta Independent on Sunday MARCH 2016
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EASTER EVENTS What to see and do and where to go during the holidays.
A live reenactment of The Lord’s Supper.by Ghaqda Drammatika, Għajnsielem, will take place on Maundy Thursday, March 24, from 8.30pm - 11.30pm and on Good Friday, March, 25, from 9am until 12pm at Ta’ Passi fields. The grotto area used during Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem, will be transformed into the room where actors will portray Jesus sharing His final meal with His apostles before His crucifixion. There will also be a live kitchen where traditional Passover food will be prepared. Good Friday processions are held in several towns including Cospicua, Valletta, Qormi, Rabat, Vittoriosa, Naxxar, and Mosta, in Malta and Nadur, Victoria, Xagħra and Żebbuġ, in Gozo. And on Easter Sunday processions with a statue of the risen Christ will take place in many parishes.
Exhibitions and processions
Crickids festival, in aid of the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society will take place at Palazzo Tal Virtu, in Rabat, on March 26 and 27 at 11am. With over 30 children’s sports, entertainments and activities, everyone will want to be there. Anyone for slack lining? Inspire’s popular Easter egg hunt, on March 28 and 29, at the Marsascala Family Park, has games and activities for even the youngest children. Ongoing entertainment includes the toddler egg hunt, story telling, photography with (Easter) bunny, Hop Tail. Other activities for all the family include a mini market, animated entertainment, a raffle with great prizes, various food stalls and a huge playing ground. There are also toilet and parking facilities |and a first aid station. Curtain Raiser promises another super fun-filled fun fair for all the family on Easter Monday, March 28. The day will include various new shows such as Paw Patrol Sing-A-Long and Game Show, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, The Super Heroes Game Show along with Iron Man and Captain America. Children can meet their favourite cartoon characters and join an Easter egg hunt with Rabbit Joe and Mother Goose. There is also a toddler designated area and Dance Bash and Star Wars themed party with Darth Vader and Storm Trooper from Star Wars for those over 7.
A replica of the Last Supper Table is being held by Lija Parish in the Old Parish Church of Our Saviour. This is the first one of its kind and has lost none of its original characteristics. And this is the 46th time it has been shown. Entrance is free, at approximately 15-minute interval. Visitors are asked to stay till the end of the commentary so others are not disturbed. There will be English and Maltese commentaries. Times of showing are March 23, 7.30pm, opening and blessing of The Last Supper Table, with a prayer-vigil, hymns, excerpts from the Bible and sharing of spiritual thoughts. Wine and bread are served to those present in memory of the real event which took place so long ago. Maundy Thursday, 8.30pm - 10.30pm. Good Friday, 9am - 12.30pm. St Helen Band Club, Birkirkara, is holding its annual Holy Week sacred exhibition, U kull min iħobb l-verita jisma leħni” (All who love the truth hear my voice.) The exhibition includes life-size scenes related to Holy Week, various displays hand-made from semolina and rice, small statues of Good Friday processions and sacred exhibits. The Band Club chapel will be decorated for the occasion. On Easter Sunday, at 6pm, St Helena Band will accompany the procession with the statue of the Risen Christ through the streets of Birkirkara ending with the traditional run of the statue. The exhibition is open on March 17 to March 26, Monday to Sunday from 6pm to 9pm; Maundy Thursday from 6pm to 11pm and Good Friday from 8am to 2pm.
An Easter Family Fun Day from 10am till 5pm including inflatables, races, games stores selling Easter items, refreshments on site and a treasure hunt at 3pm, is being held at the Chinese Gardens of Serenity, Sta Luċija In aid of St Rita home Tarxien.
Entertainment For children Join an Easter hunt at BirdLife, at Simar Nature Reserve, on March 26. You can take part in a 90-minute guided activity including an Easter egg hunt, nature detective activities and exploration within the nature reserve. As space is limited in the reserve only one parent or guardian can attend with each child. But people can wait either in the visitor centre or the open green space next to the reserve. Times of the activity sessions are: 10am - 11.30am, 11.30am - 1pm, 1pm 2.30pm and 2.30pm - 4pm. Book on “events@birdlifemalta.org”
Easter at The Duke
Internationally acclaimed Maltese violinist Carmine Lauri, and a 14-piece string ensemble of top musicians, residing in Malta will perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, at St Publius Church, Floriana, on Easter Sunday, March 27, at 7.30pm. Musical director is Michael Laus, who will also be playing the harpsichord. The concert is in aid of research in brain disorders at the University of Malta’s Research Trust, RIDT. Tickets at €60, €30 and €25 from St James Cavalier tel: 21223200 or online: http://ow.ly/VESsk An evening of music and reflections for Holy Week, featuring soloists and Chorus Urbanus conducted by Dr John Galea, is being held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Fontana, on Monday, 21 March at 7pm.
Going over to Gozo for the Easter weekend? Visit The Duke Shopping Mall and participate in the loyalty card scheme. Get a stamp with every €25 spent at any of The Duke Shopping Mall outlets. Every 5 stamps will entitle the shopper to a €5 voucher. Maltese shoppers can instead opt for a FREE Passenger Ferry ticket. This offer will be on from Thursday 24th March to Monday 28th March. Make the most of this offer and visit The Duke Shopping Mall whilst in Gozo. The Duke Shopping Mall is situated in Republic Street, Victoria and has a variety of established brands, over 3 levels. Stay updated with any upcoming news and updates via the Facebook Page, The Duke Shopping Mall or via the website, www.thedukegozo.com
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Main: The Imperial Coronation Egg, made to commemorate Tsaritsa Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna, took 15 months to make with the craftsmen on a 16-hour day
Romanov Tercentenary Egg of 1913 that celebrated 300 years of the House of Romanov
Below: The egg commemorating the birth of Tsarevich, Alexei Nicholaievich
Priceless eggs as precious gifts The late 19th century saw the start of a series of elaborately jewelled Easter eggs, thanks to Russian Tsar, Alexander Romonov III.
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n 1885 the first Fabergé egg was created by Peter Carl Fabergé. It was commissioned by the Tsar who wanted to give his wife, Empress Marie Fedorovna a special Easter gift. This first egg is also thought to have been a celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary. In those days, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated Easter with the same importance as Christmas and there was already a long-standing tradition of people taking hand-coloured eggs to be blessed in church, then giving them to their friends and families. And the higher members of society soon adopted expensive, bejewelled gifts as their presents. As a child, the Empress Maria had been fascinated by a 17th century egg belonging to her aunt Princess Wilhelmine Marie of Denmark. This may well have given Tsar Alexander the idea for his choice of gift. He certainly took the design of the egg
The Jewelled Hen Egg
very seriously, giving clear instructions and closely following its creative process. Made from pure gold covered with white enamel to imitate the shell, this first egg was known as the Jewelled Hen Egg and it held exquisite secrets. When opened the first surprise was revealed – the yolk, made of yellow gold. When this was opened, a multi-coloured, perfectly crafted gold hen appeared. This also opened and. a tiny diamond copy of the Imperial Crown bearing a small ruby pendant egg was inside. So successful was this beautiful Easter token that Alexander III subsequently gave his wife an egg each year till 1895. Nicholas II, his son, continued the tradition by presenting eggs to his wife, the Empress Alexandra Fedorovna, and his mother, the Dowager Empress Marie Fedorovna. Fabergé himself designed and created all
A team of expertly skilled craftsmen, working in secrecy, then took at least a year to make an egg
This egg is one of two in Art Nouveau style. It was presented on April 5 to Tsar Nicholas II, and was used as a gift to the tsaritsa, Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna
the Easter eggs for the Russian Imperial family, from 1885 through to 1916 and they are seen as one of his greatest achievements. His only brief was that every egg had to have a surprise hidden somewhere within it. To draw inspiration for his designs he looked to the anniversaries, achievements and family relationships of the Romonovs. One particularly special example is the egg presented by Nicholas II to his wife Alexandra on April 22, 1907, to celebrate the birth of the Tsarevich, Alexei Nicholaievich. Its surprise was a diamond necklace and an ivory miniature portrait of the tsarevich framed in diamonds. Alexei was born three years realier but because of the Russian – Japanese war in 1904, no imperial eggs were produced for two years. A team of expertly skilled craftsmen, working in secrecy, took at least a year to make an egg. One example is the Imperial Coronation Egg which craftsmen, working a 16-hour day, 15 months to make. Each egg was unique with a private and personal present and they certainly made the most extravagant and lavish of all Easter gifts. Forty three of the 50 Fabergé eggs made for the Imperial family have survived. They are in museums and private collections and are highly sort after. When one comes up for sale a collector can expect to pay millions for such a piece. More modern, less detailed, but just as beautifully made examples are also highly collectable and make treasured gifts today.
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Right: women, wearing faldettas follow one of the statues Below: A photo of the magnificent monument, taken in 1935, before its first appearance. Note the spelling of Musta that was in use at that time
DEDICATION, DISCIPLINE AN DEVOTION Actor and writer Joe Quatromani was involved in Mosta’s Good Friday procession for nearly 60 years. Here he shares some of his memories. Photos courtesy of Raymond Cauchi
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Before processions were held, the statue of the Crucifixion stood in Mosta’s Santa Maria Church
hen I was still a young boy, in the 1950s, the organisation of the Good Friday Procession was the responsibility of the Malta Catholic Action Movement, led by Rev Dun Anton Muscat. My father was regularly called to volunteer as a helper. I used to go with him. “In a procession involving hundreds of participants, work started, say a month in advance. Work included the cleaning and polishing of all the stored statues, il-bradelli, il- bankumi and the ornamental holders for the bouquets of fresh flowers. But for me the most interesting day was taking the statues out of the stores”. For his first participation in the procession Joe was dressed up in żimarra (costume) and carried a small, prop water jug, tray and towel, representing those used by Pontius Pilot when he washed his hands of his responsibility for Jesus and handed Him over to be crucified. Joe continues “I took part wearing a costume for some years and during my years at the Lyceum I turned to choir singing, taking part during church functions and giving a helping hand with them. At the age of 15, I chose to change role. We have the habit, here in Mosta, of accompanying the procession barefoot, pulling chains as a penance.” At first, Joe’s parents were not happy about him doing this, thinking the chains would be too heavy. But it was the role he took, wearing kunfratija of white hood and pleated costume until he was 18. Nowadays there is maximum weight for the chains that can be pulled but at that time there was not. So a certain amount of bravado developed
ALL FEARED THAT THE ARTISTIC AND PRECIOUS ORNAMENTS, ESPECIALLY THE MONUMENT, MADE IN WOOD AND BEAUTIFULLY GILDED, MIGHT SUFFER DAMAGE among some of the participants, who often attempted to pull chains that were more than they could manage. And a sense of achievement prevailed when the procession was completed. Places as a statue carrier are very hard to come by. But when he was 18 Joe was lucky. “I managed to grab a statue, the Scourging at the Pillar.” But as the tallest of the group Joe found that he was taking almost the whole weight of the statue on his shoulder and elbow, something he described as “unbearable”. This chance was only for one year and Joe continued the following years as a volunteer. Volunteering it may be called, but participants also pay towards the procession and those who carry statues are responsible not only for its appearance at the procession but also for its bouquets fresh flowers, its lights and the batteries that power them and dismantling and clearing ‘their’ statue at the end of the procession, ready for the Saturday services leading to Easter morning.
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In 1969 later Joe shared the idea of introducing adult characters between the statues. Till then only children had taken part. The next year, four characters were portrayed — Herod, Caiaphas, Anna and Pontius Pilot. Joe continued his childhood association with this character and shaved off his beard to take the role for many years. He explained the incredible organisation that is needed to hold the event each year. Statue teams have to rehearse the slow rhythmic walk they need to balance such unwieldy objects. The two Mosta bands, Nicolò Isourd and Santa Maria take part and also the Mosta scouts and buglers. A commentary is provided for tourists, in three languages, as each statue leaves the church. Penitents need to book their chains about three months in advance. And all those taking part have to be of good character and produce their ID card. The weather, which can never be trusted at this time of year, is a constant concern. Joe remembers a year when the entire procession had left the church on a
Penitents have to reserve their chains up to three months in advance
The betrayal of Jesus, by Judas is one of the statues needing 10 men to carry it
LUCKILY FOR US IN MOSTA THE DISCIPLINED, WELL ORGANISED, DEVOUT ATTITUDE HAS BEEN OBSERVED ALL THROUGH THE YEARS. THERE IS STILL A FERVENT INTEREST FROM THE YOUNGER GENERATION TODAY. I SEE IT NOT JUST DURING THE PROCESSION BUT IN THE INTEREST SHOWN MONTHS AND WEEKS BEFORE day of bright sunshine. Half way though, the heavens suddenly opened and the heaviest rain poured down. Water was flowing in the streets, endangering those carrying the statues, and any empty garages that could have sheltered the statues were too small for them to go in. “All feared that the artistic and precious ornaments, especially the monument, made in wood and beautifully gilded, might suffer damage”, says Joe. But luckily there was only minor visible damage which was quickly repaired. This year is the 150th anniversary of Mosta’s Good Friday procession. It began with just two statues, The Scourging at the Pillar and the Garden of Gethsemane. New statues were quickly added, all built by Carlo Darmanin. Mosta’s magnificent monument is the only one of its kind and only Mosta’s statues are decorated with fresh bouquets of flowers. Mosta was the first parish to have a procession shown on television. Director Charles Stroud insisted that all the statues had to be out between 5 and 6pm so the light was not lost. Joe is proud to say this was achieved. Television now brings Good Friday processions into our homes and they are probably streamed online too. And the essential elements are as important as ever.
“Luckily for us in Mosta the disciplined, well organised, devout attitude has been observed all through the years. There is still a fervent interest from the younger generation today. I see it not just during the procession but in the interest shown months and weeks before.” It is this enthusiasm, and the way people from all walks of life work together for the procession and assemble each Good Friday in the same reverent, solemn mood, that struck Joe so powerfully when he was just a boy and still amazes and moves him today. This is what highlights the Good Friday procession over all others and why it has such a special, personal meaning for all those who take part in it.
Joe Quatramani portraying the role of Pontius Pilot in the 1960s
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THE ROBE – BEHIND THE SCENES
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For the past several decades it wouldn’t be Easter without The Robe on TV. And, like most epic movies, off camera the characters and scenes had plots of their own.
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elsh actor, Richard Burton, plays Marcellus, a disillusioned Roman commanding officer, at the scene of the crucifixion of Christ. In a drunken game of dice at the scene of the crucifixion, he wins
Jesus’ robe. Unlike Demetrius, his slave, Marcellus is not at all religious. But when Demetrius escapes with the robe, Marcellus suffers horrific visions because of what he did. He searches for Demetrius, believing that destroying the robe will stop his visions. But during his search he
actually embraces Christianity. The Robe was the second film to be shot in CinemaScope, and the first to be released, in September, 1953. It was promoted as a modern entertainment miracle you can watch without the use of glasses. This was seen as “getting at” the 3D movies which were all the rage then.
Epic that it was at the time, The Robe was not without the usual behind-the-scenes plots and gossip. The following pieces of trivia show how even the most eminent Hollywood studios and actors don’t have things all their own way. The Robe’s release revealed the usual gaffes that extra observant film audiences readily pick up on such as the characters referring to Jerusalem, in Palestine. The film is set in around 30AD when Jerusalem was in Judea, which was not named Palastine until 135AD. Sailors frequently mentioned “sailing with the next tide” Since there are no significant tides in the Mediterranean Sea they would never have left port if they depended on the tides. The film’s opening scene in the Roman Forum clearly shows a statue of the Roman poet, Antinuous. This was seriously out of place, considering Antinuous was not born until about 80 AD. That error not withstanding, the Oscar for best art direction-set decoration, colour, was one of two Academy Awards won by The Robe, out of five nominations. It also received a Golden Globe for best motion picture – drama. It is often the case that members of the crew also appear in the film they are working on. In this case Donald Klune, the second assistant director, was given the role of Jesus by the film’s director, Henry Koster. Among the second’s tasks is dealing with the extras. So there Klute would be, at the end of each day, signing all the extras’ vouchers and finishing paperwork while still in the costume of Jesus. Further more, since the Fox Studio considered it inappropriate for “Jesus” to eat in the unit canteen, he was compelled to eat his lunch in his dressing room. One of the film’s main stars, Richard Burton, who played Marcellus, didn’t have a particularly happy shoot either. Actor Stewart Granger threatened him with a gun during filming, because he
thought Burton was having an affair with his leading lady, who just happened to be Granger’s wife, Jean Simmons. And being an atheist Burton did not care for the film’s religious theme and once said that of all his films it was the one he disliked most. Even before the film’s release, Burton had such an argument with Darryl F. Zanuck, the studio chief at 20th CenturyFox, that he decided to return to London’s West End instead of remaining in Hollywood. Perhaps all this explains why he also smoked 100 cigarettes a day throughout filming. Another of the film’s characters worth mentioning here is Junia, or Junias who was a first century Christian, highly regarded by St Paul. New Testament scholars have concluded that Junia was a woman, and in this film the small role was played by Dawn Adams, an English actress who lived for some years in Malta, in her farmhouse in Mosta, and whose father won the first ever Middle Sea Race, tides or no tides! Even big budget movies have their share of recycling. The set of Cana, the Galilean village where Marcellus meets Peter, comprised redressed sets from the film Algiers, which had been made 17 years earlier! These were also used in Demetrius and the Gladiators, The Robe’s sequel, as a village near Rome where Demetrius lived. The sharpeyed will easily recognise the well with the old broken columns. The film’s score uses the chorale arrangement from the Hallelujah Chorus previously used in The Hunchback Of Notre Dame for a complete march theme and as the entire closing theme music for the end titles and credits. But still, with other biblical epics like Ben Hur, King of Kings, Quo Vardis The Greatest Story Ever Told, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ Superstar and more recently Son of God, the Easter story continues to reach a vast audience through our fascination with these classic films.
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Out to lunch! Easter Sunday is a very special, feast day for family and friends. No one needs spend it indoors cooking and washing up!
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he highly enjoyable annual chocfest that accompanies Easter will soon be upon us. Delicious chocolate, eggs, bunnies and lambs and figolli, for those with a sweet tooth, roast lamb and fine fish dishes for those who prefer something savoury. The Easter holidays come at a perfect time of year. Spring is arriving, it’s not too hot to spend days in the countryside, or near the sea, and there is an urge to be out and about unwinding and relaxing; which we all love to do, especially busy mums. If keen cooks are honest, and the most
helpful shoppers, washer-uppers and table layers are ready to admit it, what everyone wants on a holiday like this is a meal where all they need to do is eat, drink and be merry! Who will really miss the decision making over who hosts the event and who brings which course? Will anyone feel depressed if they don’t have to clear up the semi-blitz zone created by two or more generations descending en masse to mark a holy day and a holiday in true celebratory style? We are spoilt for choice on our islands. Everywhere there are cafés, restaurants, hotels, and bars and clubs either with elaborate themes, elegant decor or rustic and simple. Go for whichever you prefer and where the atmosphere is most welcoming. You can find food to suit all tastes, appetites and pockets from baguettes to buffets; and all without a moment’s effort. Make this year’s Easter weekend a time for your family and friends to spend having fun somewhere different, that has been chosen to make the occasion extra special for everyone. That way everyone can enjoy an Easter Sunday lunch and take it easy too.
A piece of Paradise!
Break free from all routines and daily stress and spend a short break recharging at the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel.
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urrounded by breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, be it a family with kids or a group of friends, we promise you a relaxing short break. The hotel boasts four sea water swimming pools. The large main pool includes a shallow paddling pool for small children. All pools enjoy extensive sun terraces. The hotel’s very own sandy beach overlooks the islands of Gozo and Comino, with the famous Blue Lagoon being an easy 10-minute boat ride away. Water sports and the Paradise Bay Diving School are also located at the beach. On May 20th, 2013, the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel private beach became the first Maltese hotel private beach to achieve the blue flag status. All of the hotel’s rooms are fully air-
conditioned and have a balcony with sea view. No day at the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel would be complete without a visit to one of our restaurants, particularly to indulge in our popular sumptuous buffet lunch at Il-Merill Restaurant. With captivating sea views the 500 seat IlMerill restaurant is a dining experience, out of this world. Our chef, invites you to taste his mouth-watering creations of local and European cuisine. In between, you can always pay a visit to one of our bars and choose from an excellent selection of local and imported beers, wines and spirits. A short break at the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel, is indeed a paradise for the mind and senses. For bookings please call 21 521166 or email us on info@paradise-bay.com
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ISLAND OF MYSTERY I
t is one of the most isolated islands in the world and theories on how its people, came to inhabit Easter Island are fascinating. The first settlers, who arrived in 400AD, began building what was to become an amazing and unique culture of art, language and religion. It is believed they were Polynesians, who called
Ancient and alluring, Easter Island has kept its secrets since prehistoric times. themselves Rapa Nui. They remained so remote until 1722 when Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutch navigator, discovered their island on April 5 1722, which just happened to be Easter Sunday. Roggeveen threw doubts on the origin of the island’s inhabitants by describing some of them as being dark skinned,
having red hair and even being sun burnt. Another possibility is that they were settlers from South America. This is much more realistic considering huge ocean going canoes from there could have been carried on the currents that flow from Peru to the south eastern pacific. But this theory is discredited by
modern archeologists who go by historical and linguistic evidence to support their theory. Whoever they were, the original occupants of the small island created a well developed and highly civilized society out of next to nothing and built some of the most extraordinary relics ever to have been found. Among these are nearly 900 gigantic volcanic rock statues known as moai, which are found all over the island. These amazing giant images were carved within quarries of volcanic waste and stood on huge platforms of stone called ahu. Once a statue was completed it had to be cut away from the rock face and moved to its destination. Considering there were no roads, wheels, cranes or even beasts of burden, and each statue averaged 3 metres in height and weighed 5 tonnes, this was nothing short of extraordinary. Yet somehow the islanders managed to move these images 18 kilometres around the island probably using log rollers and ropes or, somehow rotating them along. Nothing on the history of the island explains why the statues were built but it is most likely they were to honour ancestors, island chiefs and other important people. They could also have been created to have magical and spiritual properties, resembling the stone or wooden Mana statues used in the rituals of ancient Polynesian religions. But the mystery and majesty the moai, give to the tiny Easter Island have encouraged visitors. And the small population, while moving with the centuries, has survived and adapted to the tourism economy that now provides their main income.