The Mdina Glass Christmas Tree, this year installed in front of the new parliament building in Valletta, was inaugurated on December 1. The lights were switched on by Jason Micallef, Foundation chairman of Valletta 2018 as part of the festive activities and celebrations for V18.

The seven-metre high Christmas tree, with over 2,000 handmade glass baubles of various sizes and colours, was installed the previous weekend by a team of Mdina Glass craftsmen, including an all-night shift on Sunday.

“This new location is perfect,” Olivia Said, head of production and product design at Mdina Glass, said. “The tree greets visitors arriving in the capital city with its festive spirit. Also, the large open space and the new surrounding architecture complement and contrast with the tree perfectly in equal measure.”

In addition to the tree, Mdina Glass has added glass swirl installations at each end of the old opera house facade. The swirls have been arranged to reflect the shape of Christmas trees.

“This year we participated in Notte Bianca with lighting and candlelit lantern installations in Strait Street and St Elmo respectively and received very encouraging feedback,” Said added. “So it is fantastic to be back in Valletta and participating in V18 and the 450th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the city.”

Mdina Glass also has a shop accompanying the installations at the entrance of Pjazza Teatru Rjal specialising in handmade glass Christmas decorations.

Further Mdina Glass Christmas trees have been installed at Pjazza Tigné, Merchants Street, Valletta, and in the lobby area of SkyParks Business Centre. All installations will be kept on display until early January.

For more information visit facebook.com/mdinaglass or www.mdinaglass.com.mt.