A crib designed and made by Gozitan artist Manwel Grech and his team will be exhibited in Manger Square in Bethlehem between December 16 and January 20.

The crib, which has 17 figures, each wearing a Maltese costume, was last year exhibited in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican City.

It contains Maltese elements and characters, such as ir-rieqed, l-għaġeb, ix-xabbatur and St Ġorġ Preca. It also features a girna and a luzzu.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said the crib was testimony to Malta’s talent and in this way, Maltese culture was being exported and the Maltese profile was being strengthened.

“We’re bringing Maltese culture closer to foreign communities”, Dr Bonnici said.

Culture director Mario Azzopardi said the artistic crib will be set up in front of St Catherine’s Church, the main attraction in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, since midnight mass is celebrated there.

An estimated three million tourists visit Bethlehem each year, most during Christmas time. 

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