In its endeavors to promote intangible heritage, the Ethnography Section within Heritage Malta will be setting up an event focusing on Parochial Feasts Processional Statues. This temporary exhibition of miniature representations will be held between Saturday the 12th of February and Sunday the 3rd of April, at the Inquisitor’s Palace and National Museum of Ethnography, in Birgu, with the highlight being held on Sunday the 13th of February.

Parochial feasts are much more than colourful celebrations. They are a high watermark of a predominant religious society which gathers to manifest and publicly express time-honoured cults and devotions. A delicate balance between the secular and the religious hardly made distinguishable as separate due to a strong popular input rich in ethnographic value. Religious feasts are above all precious cultural carriers of ethnic identity and intangible heritage ranging from religious beliefs, pompous sermons and traditions, to music, food, pyrotechnics and the arts.

Programme

12th February – 3rd April – A temporary exhibition of parochial Festa processional statues miniatures

Sunday 13th February – A thematic event whereby the general public will have the opportunity to interact with craftsmen working on miniatures of statues and accompanying church furniture and objets-d’art. Entrance is at a reduced fee of €2 for adults (HM members and children under 12 years of age enter free). Patrons can extend their visit to the nearby Maritime Museum for an additional charge of €1 only.

Wednesday 16th February – A seminar on the multi-faceted relevance of processional statues with the participation of Rev. Fr. Gino Gauci, H.E. Dr. Ray Bondin, Mr. Charles Coliero, Mr. Mario Coliero and Mr. Victor Caruana, will take place between 6:00 – 8:30pm and entrance to this event is free of charge.

Anyone requiring further information may telephone on 21 663 731.

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