New mechanical crib at Xaghra

A Christmas crib by young Victor Agius will be on display at the Ggantija Art Gallery, John Otto Bayer Street, Xaghra, this week.

This is Agius's 12th crib, featuring Nativity figures dressed in Jewish clothes, one-storey buildings with a small dome and detailed geographical features of the Palestinian landscape.

The Nativity figures, the majority of which are mechanical, were made by Agius himself from wood and papier-mâché. The faces and hands were modelled in terracotta. Although the crib is mechanical, Agius paid particular attention to avoid excessive use of movements in the figures, which could distract one's attention from the grotto of Baby Jesus.

The crib covers over 200 square feet and is constructed in a stepped manner with the different materials to make it look even larger. Like many other Gozitan cribs, Agius's construction uses rustic stones. However, the back part is made of papier-mâché with simple forms and cold colours to create a contrast with the rustic stones that make up the front part.

The crib is open for public viewing till Sunday from 6.30 to 8.30 p.m. during the week and from 10 a.m. to noon and 4.30 to 8.30 on Sundays and public holidays.