Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem nativity village has its inauguration next Sunday, the 11th of December. The village is spread of 20,000 square metre of land. The inauguration ceremony will include a re-enactment of the ‘trip’ of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Point of interests will include the carpenter and blacksmith houses, the bakery, a market selling natural fruits, fresh fish and vegetables, a wine tavern, the Bethlehem Inn, a local crafts area and a stable hosting the animals. The main attraction will be the grotto with Mary, Joseph, & baby Jesus. Fresh water will be flowing around these structures through a small river.

Each house will host a family, played by actors, to remind us that the story of Christmas revolves around a family.

Roman legionaries located at the eighteenth century Fort Chambray located just across the road from ‘Ta Passi’ fields will also feature in periodical re-enactments. The nativity village will be animated by 150 live actors on weekends and public holidays.

The census demanded by the Roman emperor (visitor’s book) will be taken on entrance. All visitors will be given a map and a children’s quiz book.

Over 6,000 cypress tree seeds will be distributed to visitors in collaboration with Eco-Gozo and Hands-on Farming

The tavern will offer traditional local food and wine to all visitors. ‘Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem’ Vintage Wine will be available for sale which is ideal as a souvenir gift. You can also buy Christmas cards with scenic pictures from last year’s event.

On Sunday and Public Holidays, the Nativity village will be animated with several cultural activities from local talents. Information boards will offer facts and pictures about the daily life in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus

A picnic area will offer unique surroundings for a family outing on Sundays and on On Saturday nights, the atmosphere is enhanced by dozens of bonfires and oil lamps.

Entrance is free. Easy parking space is available at Ghajnsielem Football Grounds. Ferry passengers can leave their car in Cirkewwa and visit the Nativity Village on foot.

The Fondazzjoni Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem, the organisation that runs the event was only the 8th organisation in Malta and the first organisation in Gozo to be certified MSA EN ISO 14001:2004 by the Malta Standards Authority.

The organisation sait that health and safety are given absolute priority both during the construction of the nativity village and also during the opening and animation.

Several waste separation bins have been placed at strategic locations while the use of plastic during construction has been eliminated. Approximately 75% of the wood used in construction was either reused or recycled wood.

The animation schedule at the Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem nativity village will be as follows:

DECEMBER 2011

Sunday 11th (Opening) 4.30pm – 9.00pm

Monday 12th (School Children) 9.30am – 12.00am

Tuesday 13th 2.00pm – 7.00pm

Wednesday 14th (School Children) 9.30am – 12.00am

Saturday 17th 4.30pm – 9.00pm

Sunday 18th 2.00pm – 7.00pm

Saturday 24th 3.00pm – 7.00pm

Sunday 25th 3.00pm – 8.00pm

Monday 26th 3.00pm – 7.00pm

Thursday 29th 3.00pm – 7.00pm

Friday 30th 3.00pm – 7.00pm

Saturday 31st 3.00pm – 7.00pm

JANUARY 2012

Sunday 1st 3.00pm – 8.00pm

Saturday 7th 4.30pm – 9.00pm

Sunday 8th (Adoration of the Magi) 2.00pm – 8.00pm

This year’s edition of Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem will again feature the ‘Bethlehem Inn,’ a two-storey hotel with four rooms that will be available for rent. Each of these rooms will be decorated and styled to resemble an inn around the time of the birth of Jesus Christ while enjoying the view of the village centre at the back, and at the front the breathtaking view of the nativity village with Mgarr Harbour in the background.

For those who are interested in taking in this wonderful experience, then there is the option to choose either a 1-night stay or a 5-day package at the Grand Hotel with one of these nights spent at the Bethlehem Inn. Those on the 5-day package have the advantage of having their room at the Grand Hotel still available when spending the night at the Inn, which means that in effect they don’t have to relocate.

During the day, ‘residents’ can try hands-on farming. There are also horses, donkeys, goats and sheep to feed along with a wide variety of poultry. Residents are also given the unique opportunity to animate during the regular opening hours of the nativity village, by dressing up in period costumes to become the shepherd tending the flock, or the baker’s assistant baking bread.

Please see Bethlehem Inn for details of reservations and prices.

Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem will be open on Monday 12th and Wed 14th December from 9.30am to noon for the school children and the elderly. During these two days, the nativity village will be animated by the children.

The Nativity village will come to an end with the Adoration of the Magi on the Epiphany (8th of January 2012) when the three Wise Men will depart on horseback from the village of Mellieha in Malta to Cirkewwa terminal where they will board a ferry in mid-afternoon before making the triumphal entrance to the nativity village.

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