Creativity knows no bounds and a crib exhibition in Birkirkara is proof of this.

One may find cribs of any size, shape and material at the St Joseph the Worker Exhibitions Society premises.

“This is our 16th crib exhibition and we have around 73 exhibits this time, mostly from Birkirkara residents,” Vincent Mifsud, the chairman of the society, said.

Besides the classic papier-mâché and polystyrene models, there are cribs made out of bones, limestone, coconut shells, pottery pieces, twigs, walnuts and lava, and crib figures made of wool and wood.

Some of the settings of the Nativity Scene are very original. These include a kettle, a hanging bulb, the shell of an alarm clock, a television set and the frame of a Maltese clock. One of the cribs is even set on the branches of a Christmas tree.

The youngest exhibitors are triplets Nic, Kai and Zac Dimech, aged seven, while the eldest contributor is Joe Valletta, a retired police superintendent.

“I’ve been making cribs since I was a young man,” said Mr Valletta. “I do figurines (pasturi) myself too. I never had any formal teaching but you read, look up for information and by trial and error you manage to get the desired results.

“Obviously, you learn from experience.”

You read, look up for information and by trial and error you manage to get the desired results

Every year, Mr Valletta tries to add something new to his collection. Among his 10 exhibits this year are a large crib dating back some 40 years, a crib set in the façade of a Maltese house and a mechanised Baby Jesus figure.

The exhibition is open daily from 9am till noon and from 4 to 8pm at the society’s premises in Bwieraq Street, until next Friday.

Entrance is free of charge and the exhibition venue is wheelchair accessible.

For more information, log on to http://wirjasgh.webs.com or visit the society’s Facebook page.