Gozo’s evergreen spirit
Giant and unusual trees shine a Christmas light from the sister island, says Esther Lafferty.
As winter sets in and advent wreaths go up on our doors, the landscape is painted with fresh lush grass and crops – and there are other green things to look out for on Gozo that both celebrate Christmas and a sustainable approach to life.
For over a decade before the pandemic, at Christmas time people from across Malta and beyond flocked to Gozo to enjoy the living nativity in the Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem village. The global COVID-19 crisis means that this is on hold once again so instead in the village square – from which you could previously have headed down the hill to travel 2,000 years back in time – there is an alternative attraction towering nearly 20 metres tall inspiring praise, wonder and delight.
A team of dedicated volunteers from the village have built this giant illuminated Christmas tree from nearly 5,000 glass bottles. This is the second time the square is decorated this way: the structure was first created last year and dedicated to all the people going through difficult times during the pandemic. This year, in the wake of the COP26 summit when the world’s thoughts are...