| Start: 19 Dec 2008 - 6:31pm | |
| End: 20 Dec 2008 - 6:31pm |
Organizers and Collaborators
The Birgu Local Council will present another unique activity for Christmas as it believes that such activities will promote and increase interest in the cultural aspect found in our island. To help in the organisation of such an event, the Council seeked the professional help of Leon Promotions, a company who had the task to co-ordinate all the programme for this event. Not only, another important fact was the financial aid, that even though it is never enough, the Birgu Local Council received from various entities including the Office of Dr. Chris Said, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, the Malta Council for Arts and Culture, Go plc and Marsovin.
The Programme
Friday 19th December
17:00hrs - 23:00hrs Auberge D'Angleterre
Enchanting Christmas Fair - Souvenirs from Italy and ornamental objects hand-made from Germany.
18:00hrs - 23:30hrs Cardinal Street and St. John's Tower Street
Street hawkers from the popular street market of Birgu
18:00hrs - 19:15hrs Victory Square
A variety programme of Christmas Carols, dancing acts and singers with the participation of 300 boys and girls directed by Alison
and Analise Ellul
19:00hrs - 20:00hrs Main Gate Street and Victory Square
Band March from the Cospicua Scout Group
21:15hrs - 22:30hrs The Church of the Annunciation
Christmas Musical Programme by "The Fun Fair Brass Quintet", directed by Mro. Emanuel Spagnol.
20:00hrs - 21:30hrs Church of St. Scholastica
Christmas Musical programme of Carol Singing by the Ghaxaq Folk Ensemble
20:00hrs - 23:00hrs The Collachio area and the Norman House
Bethlehem in the streets of Birgu. Live crib with the participation of various actors dressed in typical clothes of that era. As well as
animals related to the Christmas storyProduced by Ghaqda Kultura u Armar Maria Annunziata, Tarxien.
20:00hrs - 23:00hrs The Collachio area
Musicians with traditional instruments - zaqq, tambur, zuvzava. Various violinist playing Christmas Carols. Christmas music on Bag Pipes.
20:00hrs - 21:00hrs Victory Square
Concert by the Armed Forces of Malta
21:00hrs - 21:15hrs Main Gate Street
Band march by the Malta Police Band
22:00hrs - 23:30hrs Victory Square
Concert by the Malta Police band accompanied by Ludwig Galea
Saturday 20th December
17:00hrs - 23:00 hrs Auberge D’Angleterre
Enchanting Christmas Fair - Souvenirs from Italy and ornamental objects hand-made from Germany.
18:00hrs - 23:30 hrs Cardinal Street and St. John's Tower Street
Street hawkers from the popular street market of Birgu
18:00hrs - 19:00hrs Victory Square
Christmas talent show with the participation of various choirs, dancing schools and young singers
19:30hrs - 21:00hrs The St. Lawrence Parish Church
Musical Christmas Programme organised by Enkor
20:00 hrs – 23:00 hrs St. Lawrence Church close
Live crib – Traditional StyleAround 20 actors will animate a live crib on the traditional Maltese style.St. Philip Pageant Group u l-
Kumitat Kultuira Ghaqda Banda San Filep, Zebbug.
20:00 hrs – 22:00 hrs Sir Paul Boffa Street & Main Gate Street“The Christmas Parade”
A Spectacular Christmas parade with the Participation of
“The Christmas Gugga Band” A set of grotesque masks portraying the popular Disneyland characters.
Accompanied by around 400 dancers from various dancing schools, the singers Brooke Borg, Clifford Galea and Malcolm
Pisani, Santa Claus on a carriage together with his assistants & elves.
20:00 hrs – 23:00 hrs The Collachio area & the Norman House.
Bethlehem in the streets of Birgu.
Live crib with the participation of various actors dressed in typical clothes of that era as well as animals related to the
Christmas story.
Produced by Ghaqda Kultura u Armar Maria Annunziata, Tarxien
20:00 hrs – 23:00 hrs The Collachio Area
Musicians with traditional instruments – zaqq, tambur, zuvzava
Various violinists playing Christmas Carols. Christmas music on bag pipe.
22:00 hrs – 24:00 hrs Victory Square
“CAROLS by Christmas Lights” – The Christmas Concert. The Group X-Tend together with the choir of Romina Vella. The
Band of Mark Spiteri Lucas together with:
1. Ivan Spiteri Lucas
2. Rebecca Debattista
3. Aldo Busuttil
4. Debbie Scerri
5. Fabrizio Faniello
6. Claudia Faniello
Places of InterestAll the places of cultural & historic interests, museums & exhibitions will be open till late evening in the occasion of the Birgu by Christmas Lights event.
- The conventual & collegiate church of St. Lawrence – St. Lawrence Church
- The church of the Annunciation – Main Gate Street
- The church of Sta. Scholastica – Sta. Scholastica Street
- Parish Museum – Victory Square
- Oratory of the Holy Crucifix – St. Lawrence Church Close
- The Dominican Priory – Main Gate Street
- The St. Lawrence Band Club – Victory Square
- The Prince of Wales Own Band Club – Main Gate Street.
MuseumsThe Inquisitor’s Palace – Main Gate Street
Christmas Exhibition – “A Humble bird….a worldwide representation”
Miniatures, cribs & figurines by Austin Galea & Julian Scicluna
Maritime Museum – Vittoriosa Waterfront
During these days, the entry fee will be of €2 for both museums.
Exhibitions in the occasion of the Birgu by Christmas Lights Event
Auberge D’Angleterre – Mistral Street
“An Enchanting Christmas Fair”
Parish Hall – Victory Square
Crib Exhibition
Street DecorationsVarious streets will be decorated by the two Feast Committees of Birgu, the St. Lawrence External Feast Committee & the St. Dominic External Feast Committee.
Traditional food & drinks standAll those who attended the past Birgu Fest activities know how the main square of Birgu would be filled by stands selling traditional food & drinks. These will be set up by all the local societies.
Radio Live TransmissionsRadju Belt Rebbieha – 97FM will be broadcasting live during the Birgu by Christmas Lights 2008.
ParkingThere will be a park & ride service from Kordin
Parking will also be available at the Fortini Football Ground (close to the tunnel leading to Kalkara)
InformationFurther information can be obtained through the Birgu Local Council by calling on 21662166 or by sending an email to birgu.lc@gov.mt or by using the www.birgu.gov.mt or www.leonpromotions.com
The organizers thought of publishing an information leaflet on the Birgu by Christmas Lights event. This will include an indicative map to guide the public through the streets of Birgu to see all the Cultural & Historical treasures found. This leaflet can be obtained for free from all the stands in Victory Square.
