A Good Friday exhibition at Għajn Dwieli is serving a double purpose.
The obvious purpose is commemorating the death of Jesus Christ and the other is a remembrance of a man who worked on the statues on display, Noel Cauchi, who died tragically late last year.
Saviour Spiteri, who mounted the exhibition, has one of the largest collections - representing 20 episodes and 87 characters in the Passion of Our Lord - made by Mr Cauchi.
Soon after last year's Good Friday celebrations, Mr Spiteri returned the statues to Mr Cauchi so they would be painted in the same colour scheme after the last three statues to complete this unique set were ready. In fact, this year, the set includes also the death of Christ, the Eternal Father in the statue depicting the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
The statues have walnut pedestals designed by Silvio Pace of Qormi and made by Manuel Vassallo of Vittoriosa.
"Noel, whom I had known for about 10 years was, extremely talented," Mr Spiteri said.
Mr Cauchi died aged 36 last November 14 while working on a cherry picker that collapsed at Malta International Airport where he worked.
He was married to Tania and the father of two children. He resided in Żurrieq.
From a young age, he made clay figurines for Christmas cribs and miniature Good Friday statues.
He also made a number of life-size statues and restored others in various churches. Among these are St Catherine in Żurrieq; the Holy Trinity church, Marsa; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Balluta; Stella Maris, Sliema and St Paul Shipwrecked, Valletta.
Mr Cauchi had won several competitions organised by Għaqda Ħbieb tal-Presepju and was a member of Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli tal-Knejjes.
The Għajn Dwieli exhibition, which also includes other statues and icons by various artists, opens on Monday at 7.30 p.m. in Triq l-Ammiraljat, opposite the petrol station on the way down to the tunnel leading to Cospicua.
Opening hours are Tuesday and Wednesday between 6 and 8.30 p.m.; Thursday from 6 to 9.30 p.m. and Good Friday between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.