A unique exhibition in the main halls of the Saint Mary Society of Mqabba

The Youth Section of the Saint Mary Society of Mqabba is organising the second edition of “La Semana Santa” exhibition; a display the likes of which is unique in Malta. The opening took place on Wednesday by His Excellency Mons. Francis Adeodato Micallef, Bishop Emeritus of Kuwait, following last year’s official opening by His Excellency Mons. Paul Cremona, Archbishop of Malta.

The Holy Week in Spain (La Semana Santa) is doubtlessly the most prestigious event in the Spanish calendar consisting of a week of processions and parades, passing through the main streets of many cities and towns.

During these processions, large and elaborate statues representing various holy scenes, all decorated in velvet, precious gold and silver trinkets and accompanied by many brass bands playing beautiful marches for the occasion, alongside many members of different holy orders with covered faces.

This exhibition consists of 20 main statues, each one representing a scene from the passion of Christ. In total, there are about 80 statues altogether, most of which are richly decorated in fine velvet and hand-made lace, peppered with jewels.

This scene created by this spectacle is breathtaking, and will now be gracing the prestigious main halls of the Saint Mary Society premesis in Mqabba. The statues being shown in this exhibition are exact replicas of the real statues found in Spain, each resting on a throne or a pedestal covered in various decorations and angels. Most of the statues are made of Terracotta and have been flown in from Naples. The assortment of scenes range from Palm Sunday up to the Ascension of Christ, with the main attraction being Our Lady of the Ascension, a grand statue at the heart of the exhibit. The statues are complemented by various paintings on the same subject, photos of the real processions taking place in Spain and accompanying marches on the same theme.

The exhibition will be open until Sunday 23 March. Everyone is welcome to attend and entry is free of charge.

* * *

Opening hours: Weekdays and Saturdays: 5pm to 9pm

Sundays and Public Holidays: 10.30am to 12.00pm and 5.00 pm to 9.00pm Muddy Thursday: 5.00pm to Midnight