Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1512001
11 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 NOVEMBER 2023 A Christmas crib exhibition which is a joint collaboration between Heritage Malta and Għaqda Ħbieb tal-Presepji Għawdex - Malta has been launched at the Grand Master's Palace, under the auspices of Presi- dent George Vella, President of Mal- ta, who inaugurated it. Titled The Crib's Journey with St Francis, this exhibition forms part of a string of initiatives around the globe, organised by the Interna- tional Friends of the Crib Federa- tion, celebrating the 800th anniver- sary since the first crib was created by St Francis in Greccio, Italy. Works by Maltese and foreign arists are being displayed, thus conveying the message that the Christmas crib unites people from all over the world. The exhibition comprises some 60 cribs, crafted out of different materials, including papier-mâché, glass and jablo. Several workshops will be organ- ised throughout the duration of the exhibition, addressing topics such as crib-making, crib accessories and crib figurines. Lectures on the history of Christmas cribs will also be held. Heritage Malta will be publishing an informative full-colour cata- logue about this exhibition, with a general introduction about Christ- mas traditions and the Maltese crib. The agency will also be issuing a limited edition and numbered 15-figure nativity set which in- cludes the main characters of the traditional Maltese crib along with other typical figures such as the child who delivers the Christmas sermon. The set has been created by crib master Pawlu Muscat. During the inauguration of the ex- hibition, Vella thanked all the art- ists displaying their nativity cribs and praised their detailed work. Owen Bonnici, Minister for Na- tional Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, was present for the inauguration. The exhibition runs until Sunday 21st January 2024. All profits will be directed to the Malta Communi- ty Chest Fund. Entrance is through Merchants Street. Exhibition celebrates 800 years since the creation of the first Christmas crib President George Vella (left) and Arts Minister Owen Bonnici at the inauguration of the exhibition