Heritage Malta is organising a Heritage Trail that will focus on the nativity in art and crafts. The tour will consist of visits to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta, an artistic traditional crib in Tarxien, and an exhibition of nativity cribs at the Inquisitor’s Palace in Vittoriosa. The trail will be held on Saturday.
The tour starts in Valletta where Alexander Debono, Senior Curator at the National Museum of Fine Arts will give a presentation on the various paintings in the museum depicting nativity scenes. The highlight of the visit will be a viewing of the 14th century painting on wood depicting a nativity scene by Fra Maestro Alberto, which is presently being restored.
The trail continues with a visit to a crib in Tarxien belonging to Emanuel Axiaq, who has been creating nativity scenes for these last 40 years. The crib, which has an area of more than 15 sq metres is embellished with hand-made statutes made by the artist himself. Mario Coleiro, a Heritage Malta employee who has also conducted radio and television programs on various local traditions, will deliver a presentation on the subject. The trail will end at the Inquisitor’s Palace where traditional local festive sweets will be served.
Participants will also be able to view a unique crib collection consisting of miniature cribs from the five continents. The exhibition, which was donated to Heritage Malta by Albert and Lina McCarthy will give visitors the opportunity to approach Christmas from a multi-cultural perspective and help them to understand the important role of cribs as promoters of religious values and traditions through countries, cultures and societies.
Tickets for this Heritage Trail can be bought at e12/Lm5.15 from the Heritage Malta head office. Booking is essential on tel. 2295-4312. For further information call on tel. 2295- 4307. Places are available on a first come first served basis so early booking is recommended. Block tickets for five trails to be held between December and September 2008 are also available at e54 or Lm23.18.