Traditional Easter celebrations in the Maltese Islands are the subject of a five-stamp set to be issued by the Philatelic Bureau of Maltapost on Wednesday, midway through Easter Week.

The set was designed by photographer Joseph P. Smith through some excellent photographic images. It was offset printed by Printex Limited of Qormi on Maltese Crosses watermarked paper. The stamps have face values of 7c, 15c, 22c, 27c and 82c.

The 7c stamp depicts a number of men, mostly barefoot and carrying a Cross, walking behind the statue of Christ the Redeemer as a sign of penance.

A Crucifixion tableau features on the 15c stamp (Mosta parish, by Karlu Darmanin in 1869) and includes Our Lady or Sorrows, Mary Magdalene and St John. The 22c stamp depicts the Burial of Christ (Mosta parish, sculpture by Antonio Agius from design by Wistin Camilleri. Donated to the church by Karmenu Dimech).

The statue of the Risen Christ (Cospicua parish) featured on the 27c stamp is probably of Spanish origin. This wooden statue had been donated by Celestino Sacco in 1741.

The 82c stamp shows the Altar of Repose set up in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament at the Collegiate Church of St Laurence in Vittoriosa.

This set will be available from all Maltapost postal retail outlets in Malta and Gozo, and from the Mobile Unit, on Wednesday as a first day cover, in mint or cancelled format, and as a presentation pack and souvenir folder. Additional information on this and forthcoming issues can be obtained from the Philatelic Bureau of Maltapost (tel. 2123 9153, e-mail philately@maltapost.com).