Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/483475
XIII maltatoday, Sunday, 22 March 2015 This Week From Bethlehem to Golgotha… in Gharghur Dwal Godda theatre troupe presents their Holy-week produc- tion, which will this year be Hmar tas-Salib, on Palm Sunday, March 29 from 16:30. The setting is a rug- ged open-air stage across the Ghar- ghur Church parvis. Liturgy, folk- lore and drama intertwine so as to present a panorama which can be contrasted with one's personal ex- periences. The first act: our yearning for return to childhood innocence is brought to the fore with a tra- ditional Christmas Carol and St Francis who is urged to re-enact his first Greccio crib. His answer – not very appealing nowadays – is his call to poverty and strict adherence to Christ's teaching. It is no wonder that Francis was sometimes labelled a lunatic just like that man on a donkey who was welcomed on Palm Sunday with cries of 'Osanna', but crucified within a couple of days. The traditional Good Friday pro- cession gives the audience a break rarely afforded in today's hectic life. On stage at the beginning of the second act (at around 20:00), various biblical figures repre- sented in the statues come forward contrasting their experiences with today's stark realities. But 'crucifixions' are still happening notwithstanding that A.D. is being changed and the figure of Christ side-lined dur- ing Christmas. Entrance for this open-air event is free; there are no reserved seats and the audience follows standing up so as to be able to 'change position' – or give a helping hand in what is going on. Various exhibitions and 'art in action', along the proces- sion's winding road enhance this unique 'experi- ence'. Parts of the script are in English so that tourists can also 'participate' dur- ing this interesting cultural evening – a fitting introduc- tion to Holy week.