Malta will be setting up a traditional Maltese crib at the Vatican for the first time, the first time a foreign state will be setting up a crib in St Peter’s Square.

Following discussions between the government, the Maltese Curia and the Holy See, the Culture Directorate in collaboration with Heritage Malta is launching a call for proposals for the design and build of an artistic crib (presepju).

The crib, which will be exhibited from December 2016 to February 2017, has to reflect local presepju traditions. Following February 2017, the crib, which will be government property, will be brought back to Malta for an eventual exhibition in a public space during subsequent Christmas periods.

The government, in agreement with the Maltese Curia, is also in talks with the Holy See to complement this initiative with a concert of sacred music at the Vatican City performed in December 2016 by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Mro Brian Schembri.

Proposals for the design and build of the crib will be received at Heritage Malta’s Head Office, ex Royal Naval Hospital, Marina Street, Bighi, Kalkara until Wednesday December 30.

Further information may be obtained from www.heritagemalta.org/presepju or by sending a request on the following e-mail address: tenders.heritagemalta@gov.mt