Away in a Gozo manger

The Christmas ‘grotto’ just outside the town of Għajnsielem will be vacant for some time on Sunday as the Holy Family joins the traditional procession, held every year on Christmas Eve in various localities.
The grotto is part of the life-size crib – Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem – which covers an area of 20,000 square metres and features about 150 actors.
It is the brainchild of Franco Ciangura, who first organised a live crib in the Għajnsielem parish square 17 years ago.
About 15,000 people are estimated to have visited the live crib in the first four days of this, its ninth edition, notwithstanding the wet and inclement weather.
The vast nativity scene in Għajnsielem is also mentioned as a festive highlight in CNN Travel’s list of the best 15 places for a Christmas vacation, which includes Malta.

This year, the venue also includes a small perfumery house, which accompanies other attractions: a carpenter and blacksmith’s house, a bakery, a market selling fresh fruit, fish and vegetables, a tavern, a local crafts area and a barn.
The adoration of the Magi will bring Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem to a close on January 7. The trip leading the Three Kings to the Gozitan village will start...