President meets St Ġorġ inside a Neapolitan crib

In a Neapolitan crib one comes across a typical street in Naples, with people dancing to a tarantella, so it is a surprise to see two familiar figures there in the crowd: St Ġorġ Preca and President George Abela.

Through the Christian Doctrine Society, MUSEUM that he had founded, St Ġorġ Preca was an avid devotee of Baby Jesus and had introduced the procession with the newborn.

President Abela is shown as a Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St John, the Prince of Malta. These two personalities were made this year by the Neapolitan artist, Professor Antonio Canone.

This presepju was opened by the President at San Anton Palace last Friday and will stay open to the public until January 6. The opening hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The money donations collected will go to L-Istrina.

The crib is the result of years of research by Fr Edgar Vella who said the flame for his passion for the nativity started in his student days.

“In 1984, I came across an advert which featured the monumental crib by Michele Cuciniello, conserved in the Certosa di San Martino in Naples.

“And in 1991 I bought the first antique figurine from the Portobello antiques market in London,” he said.

Fr Vella believes that the Neapolitan crib was not introduced in Malta because Grand Master Pinto had expelled the Jesuits – who promoted the devotion of Baby Jesus.

But now the Neapolitan crib is becoming more popular locally through the efforts of Fr Vella and his team of enthusiasts who in 2004 introduced the first crib of this kind in Malta.

The monumental crib spanning five metres is divided into three main episodes with additional minor scenes.

The central part is set in the ruins of a Roman temple symbolising the birth of Christianity replacing paganism.

To these are added the shepherds and the visit by the Magi followed by the entourage of oriental pages.

Another episode shows the annunciation of the shepherds by the Archangel Gabriel.

The third scene shows the tavern with the jolly innkeeper while his clients make merry.

A baroque fountain symbolises Christ as the water that purifies the soul.