FOR A LL WHO LOVE, OWN OR COLLECT CRECHES The Newsletter of the Christmas Nativity
Vol. 2, No. 4
Winter 1998
MALTESE CRECHES SUBJECT OF NEW BOOK
A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS AND A GOOD YEAR
The Story of Cribs & Pasturi in the Maltese Islands, published under the auspices of Universalis Foederatio Praesepistica, the International Creche Society (1997), is a hardbound, 112- page book that showcases the beauty of creches created by Maltese Crib Society craftsmen. The text itself is a compilation of essays by individuals in the Association of Friends of the Crib, Gozo-Malta. It is written in three languages, English, Maltese, and Italian, with generally parallel content. An especially interesting essay for non-Maltese readers is by Guido Lanfranco who describes the significance of various characters (pasturi) in the creche. For example, a pair of singers--friends standing on a common base-represent humanity singing praises for the happy event. Another figure, the climber who scales a vantage point, symbolizes all those who couldn't be present. Christmas in Maltese literature by Kav. Joe M. Attard offers fragments from modem poets. One is from "The Star of the Magi" by Anton Buttigieg:
Thank you for your response to the drawing for the Chinese creche. Please send in any new subscriptions so that we receive them by November 25, 1998. At that time, we'll hold a drawing and give away the porcelain Nativity and the tiny Magi sets. Recently, I was speaking with a choral conductor friend on how he chose the music he included in his Christmas concerts. "Well," he stated, "there really is only one major requirement. I want to share with my listeners the joy of the season, of the thrilling birth of the Lord, so I make a point to select works that share that happiness." Some of us are blessed with bountiful material joyful expressions of the season; some of us are not. But the sharing of joy need not always be material. It can be, as for my friend, the sharing of a holiday musical offering, or for less talented types like me, a special act of kindness or an unexpected thoughtful gesture. Do share the joy of this season. Rita 13. Bocher, Publisher
"Oh Christ, your star in the heavens sprinkled a strong beam which overcame the darkness. Teach us, Baby Jesus, to prevent our satellites from raining poison and cesium but only wealth and song."
In "Gozitan Makers of Crib Figurines," Can. Dun Nikola Vella Apap shares intimate details of crib makers he has known: " .. .I shall start with Tumas Zahra. Majsi, as he was known, was a bachelor.... (Majsi) excelled in the way in which he dressed figurines. He used a mixture of paint colours and carpenter's glue. As of November, he used to give them to various people who came to his grocery so that they would sell the figurines for him." While Maltese traditions, literature and creche making probably will interest non-Maltese readers more than items specific to the Society, all readers will be delighted by the breadth and beauty of the creations by Society members which appear on every page.
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The book costs U.S. $20, including postage. Send inquiries to: Joe Camilleri, 100, Arch Bishop P. Pace Street, Victoria, Gozo. VCT 106 Malta.
Angel with Nativity. Sculpture by Joe Camilleri. From The Story of Cribs & Pasturi in The Maltese Islands.