Founded in 2004 to promote and organise better the celebrations related to Christmas in Xaghra and to see that cultural, religious and folkloristic Christmas traditions are well encouraged and promoted to preserve our heritage and identity . Many families used to build a crib in the homes. Many years ago, cribs were built of stone sculptured by nature and found only in caves. Since nature blessed
Xaghra with many of these caves, this could possibly be one of the reasons why so many houses had a crib during Christmas. This led to other Christmas activities being held and which over the years grew in number. In time there were so many activities being held in the short Christmas period that some overlapping of activities was inevitable without proper coordination. This was the reason why, in October 2004 the Society ‘Christmas in Xaghra ‘ was formed. Its aim was accordingly not to organize its own activities but primarily to co-ordinate and promote Christmas activities. Organizations were therefore invited to submit type of activity they were holding and tentative dates. This proved to be beneficial to everybody. Early in the festive season, a calendar of events is published and distributed to Xaghra households, to organizations all over Malta and Gozo and released to the press. This promotion helped bring the Xaghra Christmas activities to a wider audience. The Society, however, also embarked on innovative activities. Seminars on how to build cribs in papier mache and jablo started being held annually and for which young and old attended. Lectures on how to build a crib in papier mache are also held for schoolchildren. An exhibition of small cribs made by the schoolchildren is held on the school premises every year. Bazaar selling traditional Christmas home made sweets is held over three days in the first week of December. An exhibition of crafts all with the Christmas theme runs for about a fortnight. An unexpectedly large number of handmade crafts mainly on parchment, ganutell (embroidery in multicoloured, silver and gold wire) and woolen Christmas items was exhibited the first year and has continued to grow ever since. Competitions are organized for three types of cribs and decorated windows. Prizes are awarded to the first three placed in each category and certificates presented to all participants. Father Christmas goes round the village delivering presents on Christmas night. There are over twenty cribs, mechanical or static which will be open for public viewing. Not to be missed, however, is the Live Crib held in an old farmhouse near Nazzarenu Church and raised by the Guiding Light Group. This year, with the help of the Xaghra Local Council, Christmas lights will illuminate 8th September Avenue as never before. Guided tours to see the Xaghra unique Christmas cribs are organized between Christmas and new year's eve. To enjoy the perfect Christmas spirit, attendance for Midnight Mass will be a really enjoyable experience. The decorations in the Basilica and the service are the right venue for Christmas night. An activity which went down immensely well with the locals and visitors to Xaghra after Mass is Agape, the community gathered on the church parvis exchanging Christmas greetings and enjoying a hot drink and cake. It will be our pleasure to see and host you and your family there. Whilst cordially inviting you to visits cribs, exhibitions and activities mentioned above (all free), we wish you a Merry Christmas and an Enjoyable New Year. Mr Lawrence Camilleri
Pro
Info - [email protected]
