The seventh edition of Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem was officially inaugurated on Sunday afternoon by the Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo.

Following weeks of hard work by the many volunteers who worked on this very popular Nativity Village, this special event. that marks the start of Christmas in Gozo, was welcomed by large crowds of people.

The Organising Committee made up of the Ghajnsielem Local Council, the Ministry for Gozo, the Parish Our Lady of Loreto and Ghajnsielem NGOs, has for the past months to meet and prepare for this popular annual Christmas event.The opening ceremony started with a musical concert by the St Joseph Band in front of the main entrance and followed by a pageantry entrance by the actors who will be animating the Nativity Village.

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech blessed the commencement of the four-week-long event. MP Franco Mercieca and Ghajnsielem Archpriest Fr Frankie Bajada were also present for the inauguration of Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem. The. Mayor of Ghajnsielem Franco Ciangura gave the opening message.The pageant seeks to replicate, in a live manner, the atmosphere and environs of Bethlehem at the time when Jesus Christ was born over 2000 years ago.

This Nativity Village once again promises to me a major attraction for this Christmas in Gozo, if last year’s figures are anything to go by, when around 100,000 people visited Ta’ Passi fields, the venue for Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem.

The live crib will remain open until Sunday 3rd January when the event will close with the traditional Adoration of the Magi, This year’s Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem, which is spread over 20,000sqm of land and animated by 150 actors, will be animated during weekends and public holidays.

On entrance, a map is given to all visitors to enhance the overall experience. New attractions for this years include a new local crafts area with a section dedicated to mosaic, a new looks for the fisherman’s port and a 100 feet suspended rope bridge which the visitors can cross to take a trip along the river on a Maltese boat.

Other traditional attractions include the bakery, the blacksmith, carpenter, the wine tavern, open air market and the Inn.

Each dwelling 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.

The event will close on 3rd January 2016 with the ceremony of the arrival of the Magi.

The Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem applications for both iOS and Android have been updated and are now available on the App Store and Google Play Store. The APP can be used to view the interactive map, latest updates and opening hours.

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

DECEMBER 2015

Sunday 6th 3.30pm – 8.30pm

Tuesday 8th 2.30pm – 7.30pm

Saturday 12th 4.30pm – 8.30pm

Sunday 13th 2.30pm – 7.30pm

Friday 18th* 9.30am – 1.30pm*

Saturday 19th 4.30pm – 8.30pm

Sunday 20th 2.30pm – 7.30pm

Monday 21st* 9.30am – 1.30pm*

Friday 25th 3.30pm – 8.00pm

Saturday 26th 4.30pm – 8.30pm

Sunday 27th 2.30pm – 7.30pm

JANUARY 2016

Friday 1st 3. 30pm – 8.00pm

Saturday 2nd 4.30pm – 8.00pm

Sunday 3rd** 2.00pm – 8.00pm**

Should the weather not permit, the organisers have said that they reserve the right to cancel the animation

* On 19th and 21st December, Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem will open two special sessions in the morning for the school children and elderly where the nativity village will also be animated by the children. Everyone is welcome!

** The Nativity village will close with the traditional Adoration of the Magi on Epiphany, Sunday 3rd January 2016.

The organisers said that 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.

Photographs: MGOZ/George Scerri

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