Last Saturday, after almost four months of hard work, the third edition of Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem was officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi.

The official ceremony started an hour earlier when the St. Joseph Band played Christmas carols in 10th December square, Ghajnsielem, as several guests and dignitaries started to arrive for the opening. At 3.30pm, when the Prime Minister arrived, the actors started to enter into the nativity village in a pageant-style procession while the St. Joseph Band played the national anthem. Mayor Francis Cauchi and project manager Franco Ciangura accompanied the Prime Minister around the nativity village.

After greeting the families that are animating the event, the Prime Minister made a speech for the occasion. Dr. Gonzi said that the nativity village will be a place of unity for all the families. Short speeches were also made by Mayor Francis Cauchi, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Chris Said.

During the closing ceremony, it was announced that the Fondazzjoni Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem, the organisation that runs the event has proudly been certified MSA EN ISO 14001:2004 by the Malta Standards Authority, making the foundation the first NGO in Malta and the first organisation in Gozo to receive such certification and only the 8th organisation to receive such certification by the MSA.

Beside several new attractions for this year’s event, the main novelty is the Bethlehem Inn, a two-storey hotel with four rooms that will be available for rent! The Inn aims to provide a unique experience by taking its residents around the time of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The nativity village will remain open until Sunday 2nd of January 2010. It will be animated on all weekends and public holidays. More information can be found by visiting: www.ghajnsielem.com/bethlehem

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