15 December 2009: The magical Maltese Christmas Crib - My Top 5!

The Christmas crib or presepju as it’s known in Maltese, is very much an integral part of Christmas in Malta.

I absolutely love Xmas Cribs and this is why I’ve decided to share with you my favourite ones that are on display in various parts of the Maltese Islands this year.

Here they are ... My Top 5 Christmas Cribs Displays in Malta and Gozo for 2009!

This list is in no particular order ... because in my opinion they’re all magical :)

1.) Every year since 1946, a huge mechanical Xmas crib is on show at the Jesus of Nazareth Institute, Bishop Emanuel Galea Street, Zejtun. A definite must see!

Exhibition Dates: from 14 December 2009 to 6 January 2010.

Website: www.presepju.com

2.) A combination of Maltese Christmas cribs and Christmas Art will be on show at the Auberge d’Italie in Merchants Street, Valletta until the 6th of January 2010.

Exhibition Dates: Monday to Friday, from 9.30 am till 6.00 pm and Saturdays, from 9.30 am till 1.00 pm. (Closed on Sundays, Xmas Day and New Year’s Day).

3.) If you prefer live Christmas cribs, then you might want to head to Lija. A huge live crib is located at St. Andrew Street, Lija. This crib has some 100 participants who re-enact famous traditional scenes. A thoroughly enjoyable experience for all the family.

Opening Dates: Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays until the 27th of December 2009, from 5.30 pm till 8.30 pm.

4.) Heading to Gozo this Christmas? Why not go see the live Xmas crib at Xaghra? This one’s been running for 9 years. Held in a very old farmhouse in Mannar Street, Xaghra the crib is divided into sections that re-create various Bethlehem scenes.

Opening Dates: Christmas Eve (from 6.00 pm till 8.00 pm) and Christmas Day, December 26, 27 and on New Year’s Day (from 3.00 pm till 9.00 pm).

Website: www.kgnxaghra.org/theguidinglight

5.) Also in Gozo, you can find a Nativity Village in Ghajnsielem. See typical biblical scenes being re-enacted on a huge piece of land near the main square of the village.

Opening Dates: from the 6th of December 2009 till the 9th of January 2010

Website: www.ghajnsielem.com/bethlehem