'Musical' Christmas Fair

More than 22,000 visitors were treated to the festive sounds of the Sine Macula Choir of Safi, who won first place in the Malta Christmas Choir Festival at this year's week-long Malta Trade Fairs Corporation (MTFC) Christmas Fair in Naxxar.

The choir beat seven other participants to claim the trophy, designed by Paul Haber, awarded to them by MTFC chairman Joseph J. Mifsud on December 11. The event producer, Noel Calleja, said that this competition was the first of a regular annual event.

The Sine Macula Choir was founded in 1983 by its present director Tony Pace and has sung in SATB formation in churches in Malta and Gozo and abroad, and also recorded various CDs. The Unchained Melodies Choir came second and the St Julian's Choral Group took third place.

Exhibitors also sold their wares throughout the fair, while Santa Claus entertained the children, who also enjoyed having their faces painted and watching balloon sculpting.

There was also a Christmas crib and art exhibition held by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, a national dog show and the event was closed by the Christmasy tunes of the Vittoria Naxxar Band Club under the direction of Mro Roderick Bugeja.

Eden's Christmas Village also did a roaring trade, and their traditional festive Maltese delicacies sold out. Dr Josie Muscat, president of the Eden Foundation, was delighted with the outcome of this new venture in collaboration with the Malta Trade Fairs Corporation.