Birkirkara's big bell

The parish of Birkirkara will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the basilica's big bell with an exhibition of photographs and documents between January 17 and 21.

The bell, made by the Barigozzi Bell foundry of Milan, was the third to arrive at the basilica after the first two, locally made, proved unsuccessful.

On January 17, 1932, the bell was ceremoniously taken to the church square and placed on the basilica's parvis. Five days later, Helena, as this bell was appropriately called, was blessed by the Bishop of Malta, Mgr Maurus Caruana, and two days later it was hoisted up to its place in the church steeple. It was rung for the first time the following day - on the feast of St Paul.

The exhibition will be held in the first chapel of the church. On January 20 and 21, the public will be able to view the basilica's campaniles and bells between 9 a.m. and noon and from 4.30 to 6 p.m. on the Saturday and between 9 a.m. to noon on the Sunday.