Bethlehem f’ Ghajnsielem will be inaugurated this afternoon by the Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muscat. The general public will be able to take their first peak at the magical nativity village from 4.30pm onwards.

This very popular animated nativity village is spread over 20,000sqm of land, offering a naturalistic reproduction of the environ of Bethlehem and the timeless story of Nativity at ‘Ta Passi’ fields in Ghajnsielem.

The nativity village come to life with about 150 actors animating the crib, including three newborns. The nativity village is situated just 5 minutes by walk from Mgarr Harbour. It promises to bring the timeless Christmas story to life as never before. The atmosphere will simply be unique… horses turn mills, villagers go about their jobs, shepherds inhabit caves, animals roam in enclosed spaces and a poor unknown couple tend their newly-born in a grotto.

Until October of 2008, Ta’ Passi was just an abandoned piece of land. During that period, the villagers of Ghajnsielem decided to try an experiment by converting the area into a mini-Bethlehem.

The venture turned out to be such a huge success that in the space of just a few weeks, the nativity village managed to attract tens of thousands of visitors.

The event is sponsored by the Ghajnsielem Local Council with the assitance and support of the Ministry for Gozo the village and NGO’s.

Each dwelling in the village is inhabited and animated by whole families, to remind everyone that Christmas is a celebration of the family. The tavern offers local food and wine. A picnic area will offer the unique surroundings for a family outing on Sundays while oil lamps will be distributed for those who want to visit Bethlehem f’ Ghajnsielem by night. Fresh water will be flowing along these structures through a small stream with various water features.

The main attraction is certainly the grotto, with baby Jesus in the caring hands of Mary assisted by Joseph with a donkey and a cow close by.

Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem will also include re-enactments of the ‘trip’ from Nazareth to Bethlehem of Joseph and Mary as well as the Adoration of the Magi on the Epiphany (first Sunday after New Year’s day) when the three Wise Men will depart on horseback from Malta to Cirkewwa terminal where they will board a ferry in mid-afternoon before making the triumphal entrance to the nativity village.

The 5th edition of Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem 2013 will be officially inaugurated at 4.15pm, tomorrow, Saturday, the 14th of December by Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat, along with the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech.

Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem has featured in Essential Travel’s top 10 Christmas Displays in the World.

The fifth edition of Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem opens on Saturday, the 14th of December and remains open until Sunday, the 5th of January 2014

The nativity village will only be animated on the following days:

DECEMBER 2013

Saturday 14th 4.30pm – 9.00pm

Sunday 15th 2.00pm – 7.30pm

Monday 16th* 9.30am – 1.30pm*

Thursday 19th* 9.30am – 1.30pm*

Saturday 21st 4.30pm – 8.30pm

Sunday 22nd 2.00pm – 7.30pm

Wednesday 25th 2.30pm – 8.30pm

Thursday 26th 4.30pm – 7.30pm

Friday 27th 4.30pm – 7.30pm

Saturday 28th 4.30pm – 8.30pm

Sunday 29th 2.00pm – 7.30pm

JANUARY 2014

Wednesday 1st 2.30pm – 8.00pm

Saturday 4th 4.30pm – 8.00pm

Sunday 5th** 2.00pm – 8.00pm**

Above schedule is not final and is subject to change without notice. Should the weather not permit, the organisers reserve the right to cancel the animation

* On 16th and 19th December, Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem will open two special sessions in the morning for the school children and the elderly where the nativity village will also be animated by the children. Everyone is welcome!

** The Nativity village will close with the Adoration of the Magi on Epiphany, Sunday, the 5th of January 2013. The ‘Three Kings’ will depart from a yet-to-be-announced location and cross to Gozo by ferry before making the triumphal entrance to the nativity village late in the afternoon. More details will be announced soon.

Public transportation is encouraged when travelling to Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem. Visitors can choose either to leave their car at Cirkewwa Terminal and walk up to the crib from Mgarr Harbour or park their car in the Ghajnsielem centre and walk down to the entrance. Parking is also available at Ghajnsielem F.C. football grounds.

Organised tours are welcome. Please contact Local Council Office on 21561515

Entrance is FREE. No bookings are required.

Permalink: Bethlehem f’ Ghajnsielem nativity villiage opens to the public later today