A Maltese crib has been set up at St Peter's Square in Rome and will be inaugurated tomorrow.
The crib, designed and built by Gozitan artist Manwel Grech, features the nativity scene and Maltese characteristics including a Maltese house and a luzzu.
There are 17 life-size figures made of fibreglass. Other figures which will not be exposed to the weather are made of papier mache, including Maltese personalities such as (St) Dun Gorg Preca and a Museum procession with the statue of baby Jesus.
The setting up of the crib follows talks held last year between the Maltese government, the Maltese Curia and the Holy See. The Culture Directorate in collaboration with Heritage Malta then issued a call for proposals for the design and building of the crib.
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will present a concert at the basilica of San Paolo Fuori La Mura in Rome on December 17.