The fourth edition of The Easter Festival organised by Gozo’s Ghaqda Dilettanti Gimgha l-Kbira, reaches its climax next Saturday with the street theatre drama L-Imsallab Fi Triqatna (the passion play in the medieval streets of Victoria).

Ghaqda Dilettanti Gimgha l-Kbira – Ghawdex was founded 10 years ago, in June 1997, with the purpose of promoting religious folklore in the Maltese islands. This festival includes a number of activities to promote artistic and folkloristic culture in our islands during Lent, Holy Week and the Easter period. Each year, this festival reaches its climax with the production of a Passion play.

In 1999, the Passion play was performed at the Don Bosco Theatre in Victoria. In the year 2000, this event was different as it happened to be jubilee year. The venue was neither a theatre nor a church but just the streets forming the core of the oldest locality in Gozo, namely the borgo of Victoria. This performance has been repeated ever since and each year quite differently.

As usual, the script and direction are in the hands of George J. Cassar. The main parts will be played by: Gordon J. Grech as Jesus Christ, Maria Schembri as Mary, Franco Azzopardi as Peter, Antoinne Mercieca as Judas, George Sacco as Annas, Joe Tabone as Caifas, Jamie Camilleri as Malkus, Carmel Theuma as Pontius Pilate, Charlie Zammit as Herod, Sunny Gatt and Alfred Cassar as Joseph of Arimatea and Nicodemus respectively. A group of volunteers from the Saint Gabriel Band Club of Balzan will take part dressed as Roman and Jewish soldiers, apostles and Jews who were in Jerusalem on the day of the passion of Christ.

Recordings by Jamie Camilleri of Unique Sound and rehearsals have been in full swing for the last few weeks, under the artistic direction of Mr Cassar. The fact that each year this production is staged in the streets, poses a real challenge. Choreography will be in the professional hands of Dr Simone Grech who will direct two dance troupes throughout different scenes. The producers are organising this activity in collaboration with the Victoria Local Council and Don Bosco Oratory.

The scenes will be performed in the following streets and squares: St Augustine Sq., Vajringa Str., St Francis Sq., Palm Str., Republic Str., Independence Sq. and last but not least, Castel Hill.

L-Imsallab fi Triqatna will be presented to the general public next Saturday starting at 7.30pm from Don Bosco Oratory at St Augustine Square.