Video: Early Christmas fever at Ghajnsielem
Christmas has come early in Ghajnsielem, with the local council and all NGOs working together on the building of 'Bethlehem' in fields in the outskirts of the village for a recreation of the nativity scene. The project, the first of this scale in Malta, involves hundreds of people.
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l Galea
Nov 6th 2008, 21:29
alfie sultana peregin
I agree that we should show solidarity with those you mention, but isn't Christmas the celebration of Christ who showed the way to what you are saying?
So what's wrong with having cribs as we used to have in many households to remind us of Christ and commemorate his birth?
I do criticize the Church in certain instances, but it seems that everything that has to do with our RELIGION is being denigrated to unprecedented levels.
renald micallef
Nov 6th 2008, 16:42
@Alfie
If we reason according to your thinking, there would be no activities not just at Christmas time but throughout the year. If these people are enjoying themselves while being creative, they are not causing any harm. Are you just complaining because its something associated with Christmas? If no, what about other activities where people give their time and energy(wasted as you said)?
J Farrugia
Nov 6th 2008, 14:36
Is THIS waste of time and energy??? This is altruism at its best. Or is it because there is our catholic religion involved? We've had enough of this liberal relativism.
elaine attard
Nov 6th 2008, 14:26
@ Alfie - If it weren't for these volunteers we wouldn't have the opportunity to take part and visit such activities. Most organised festivals organised in the past five years or so are the fruit of a lot of voluntary organisations that care for the maintenance of our traditions and culture. Qormi Bread Festival, Lejla Mgarrija, Festa tal-Qargha Hamra, Zejt iz-Zejtun....you name it!! They've all contributed a lot in making Malta a more interesting tourist destination and the Maltese proud with our past!!
Lawrence Camilleri
Nov 6th 2008, 14:14
A word to Alfie : Those people working on the Christmas project, NGO's and the Church do their part 'doing sterling work with young, old, homeless, poor, disabled people and animals...', they find the time to do it all.
alfie sultana peregin
Nov 6th 2008, 14:06
@ michael !
xmas should not be about cribs , xmas carols in the streets... but solidarity. these people could spend their free time visiting old and sick people. I used to be a member in a feast comittee and used to spend hours decorating the streets and house for the village feast and christmas. luckily, all that has changed and now i spend my free time doing something more christmassy all year round!
Kevin Cauchi - PRO
Nov 6th 2008, 14:06
@ Edwin - Regarding the promotion, we are trying in discussion with MTA and other entities in order to promote this unique event as much as possible. But please remember that this is our first year and we have got a lot of things to learn so that next Christmas it will be even better! The final aim is to put this village in the cultural calendar as a yearly attraction for Gozo.
@ alfie - The aim behind this project is to unite all local orginizations together and create an attraction to our village. The village will offer a unique Christmas atmosphere for all families. Also remember that the volunteers resotred over 200m of rubble walls and cleaned all rubbish from the surrounding fields meaning that the fields will be left in a much better state then it was a few weeks ago.
J. Tonna
Nov 6th 2008, 14:00
WELL DONE GHAJSIELEM LOCAL COUNCIL AND NGO's.
@Alfie, the Catholic Church has been doing all that you mentioned in your contribution for two thousand years as inspired by its Founder, whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas.
Wilfrid Buttigieg
Nov 6th 2008, 13:46
This idea is Interesting and innovative... surely will be a worth while outing and an opportunity for an additional visit to Gozo.
An ongoing collection for charity would spice up the event and bring it in tune with the true Christmas spirit.
Quoting a Maltese saying 'hemm it-tajjeb u hemm l'ahjar'. A collection for charity will make this event even better than what it is already.
John L Gatt
Nov 6th 2008, 13:25
What a great idea to hold this special Christmas treat in beautiful Gozo.
I shall be having overseas guests for this Christmas and I will make it
a point to visit this site. Attention all Ghajsielem people....keep up this tradition and good luck.
Charles P Cilia
Nov 6th 2008, 13:24
Charles P Cilia@ alfie sultana peregin
You must have watched the video but failed to read the message.
Quote – “The Ghajnsielem local council and all NGO are working…………….."unquote. I do not know what you are complaining about. The many NGO’s you referred to are the same people that work with young, old, homeless, poor, disabled and even animals. Also, don’t you think that their once a year effort will not be appreciated by the same young, old, homeless, poor and disabled? Will not these unfortunate also enjoy visiting the Nativity Scene like the rest of us ‘normal’ people?
C.Camilleri
Nov 6th 2008, 13:23
@ alfie sultana peregin
Go yourself help the "young, old, homeless, poor, disabled people and animals". Meanwhile, let others engage in recreational activities for others to enjoy.
Antoine Grima
Nov 6th 2008, 13:13
Nice to see that at times we can still work together .Well done
Edwin Mifsud
Nov 6th 2008, 13:00
@ Ghajnsielem Local Council
Is this activity going to be marketed abroad, hence making Gozo a Christmas destination?
michael farrell
Nov 6th 2008, 12:47
@ alfie !
come on Alfie....at least they are doing something that reminds us the meaning of Xmas...as a child i remember the crib , xmas carols in streets........unfortunately all is gone and xmas is all about materialism , shopping , dinning out.....
so pls show more respect to these ppl...esp those young kids ....
alfie sultana peregin
Nov 6th 2008, 12:00
what a waste of time and energy!!! so many NGO's need people to keep doing their sterling work with young, old, homeless, poor, disabled people and animals...and then we have the authorities and probably even the church wasting time these people's energy to create a disney christmas land! pity