Dwal Ġodda theatre troupe will today be holding their annual Holy Week production: Ħmar Tas-Salib. The setting is a rugged, open-air stage from across the Għargħur church parvis, serving as the backdrop for a Good Friday procession that, traditionally, has always been held on Palm Sunday in this village.

Liturgy, folklore and drama intertwine to offer a panorama which can be contrasted with one’s personal experiences. The first act of the play focuses on our yearning to return to childhood innocence, which is brought to the fore with a traditional Christmas carol and through St Francis, who is urged to re-enact his first Greccio crib.

His answer – not very appeal-ing nowadays – is his call to poverty and strict adherence to Christ’s teaching.

It is no wonder that Francis was sometimes labelled a lunatic, just like that man on a donkey who was welcomed on Palm Sunday with cries of Osanna but crucified within a couple of days.

The traditional Good Friday procession gives the audience a break rarely afforded in today’s hectic life. On stage, at the beginning of the second act, various biblical figures represented by the statues come forward, contrasting their experiences with today’s stark realities.

Crucifixions, still happen now-adays, albeit metaphorically. While His cross is being removed from classrooms, His call, “why have you forsaken me?”, remains part of our jargon. Maybe we need to heed the call of Francis urging us to return to the basics. It is not always possible because what has been ruined can be very difficult to restore.

Parts of the script’s production are in English in order to allow tourists to follow what is happening and various exhibitions have been set up along the procession’s winding road to enhance the experience.

Entrance to Ħmar Tas-Salib is free and the event takes place between 4.30 and 9.30 pm along the square and streets of Għargħur.