This Christmas season, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, will be presenting a live crib at the Opera House ruins in Valletta. Between the 12th and the 24th of December the site will, with the help of various re-enactors and livestock, be converted into a little stretch of Bethlehem for those, young and old, who wish to experience the magic of Christmas in its quintessence.

The transformed ruins will feature the manger where Christ was born but will also host a number of folkloric attractions such as a potter and a blacksmith at work, a bakery and also a set of musicians performing on traditional instruments.

The live crib will be officially inaugurated by the President of Malta on the 12th of December and will be open to the public daily between 10am and 10pm up until Christmas Eve when the traditional Midnight Mass will be celebrated. Re-enactments featuring the announcement of Augustus Caesar’s Census Decree as well as, amongst others, the Holy Family seeking shelter and the arrival of the Three Wise Men will also take place between the 12th and the 14th and additionally, between the 19th and 21st.

The site will also host a number of carol-singing choirs as well as performances by the Armed Forces and Police Force bands. Entrance is free; however donations in aid of the Malta Community Chest fund would by greatly appreciated.