The forthcoming cultural tour for this season will take participants to visit a number of traditional Nativity cribs (known as presepji) on Sunday, 17 December 2006. These cribs show the Maltese traditional skills at crib-making and pasturi (figures) in clay.

The large elaborate versions are displayed in churches, band clubs and other public places in various places around Malta and many of them have been entered in the Christmas competition organised by the National Commission for Folklore, within the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.

Visitors will enjoy an animation of the traditional Christmas procession, and to add to the festive atmosphere, they will also be able to enjoy some traditional pastries and sweets.

This cultural tour is being organised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry in collaboration with the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA), the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) and Heritage Malta. The tours are also supported by the Malta Union of Tourist Guides.

Transport will leave Floriana (by the Indepen-dence Monument) and Sliema (from opposite the Nazzarenu church) at 8.45am.

Bookings and payments can be made by not later than 12 noon on Thursday, 14 December at The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230 Republic Street, Valletta.

Ticket prices are Lm4.50 for adults and Lm3.50 for pensioners and children aged between five and 12.

Further information is obtainable from Noel D’Amato on tel: 2123-2515 or noeldamato@maltaculture. com