Six Gozitan nativity scenes are among 45 nativity scenes from 20 different countries exhibited at a prestigious exhibition being held at the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome.
The Maltese participation was made possible through Ghaqda Hbieb tal-Presepju – Ghawdex, Malta 1985 (Friends of the Nativity Crib – Gozo, Malta 1995) and with the support of the Ministry for Inclusion and Volunteering which financed all costs related to transport.
The Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering, Julia Farrugia attended the official inauguration of the exhibition which took place on Saturday.
Eight Maltese volunteers assisted in the assembly of the exhibition in which countries renowned for their artistic nativity scene tradition are participating, including Spain, Italy, Austria and Germany.
The inauguration of the International Museum of the Crib in Greccio also took place for this occasion, and in it is exhibited the Maltese crib that was erected by the Ghaqda Hbieb tal-Presepju Gozo Malta 1985. The crib, made by Benny Camilleri, was chosen by the local Mayor and will be part of a permanent exhibition at the museum.
The Minister said that it was a great satisfaction for the ministry to be of assistance so that voluntary work such as the construction of cribs is recognised in this way.
She added that volunteers such as these are keeping alive a Maltese and Gozitan tradition while the Government is also showing in this way the shoulder it offers to the sector that distinguishes us as a people, the field of volunteering.
Carmen Camilleri, Secretary of Ghaqda Hbieb tal-Presepju Gozo Malta 1985, while explaining the process of selecting the Maltese nativity scenes exhibited, thanked Minister Farrugia for crucial assistance, such as funding the necessary transport, so that Maltese nativity scenes could be displayed alongside other nativity scenes in an international level exhibition.
The exhibition will run until the 2nd of February 2026 and is expected to be visited by thousands of people.
Photos: DOI