Twenty-six Maltese nativity scenes on display at the Basilica of SantAndrea della Valle in Rome

Until February 7, 2024, an exhibition of twenty-six Maltese nativity scenes is set up around the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome, organized by Malta Tourism Authority (VisitMalta) and H.E. Frank Zammit, Ambassador of Malta to the Holy See. The exhibition aims to offer a glimpse into the centuries-old Maltese Catholic tradition related to the making of nativity scenes and is curated by architect Paul Stellini, with an itinerary that opens with the largest of the nativities on display: it is a nativity scene dedicated to St. Gaetano, founder of the Order of Theatines.

All the nativities were handcrafted by the artisans of "Ghimmanu-El," the Ghajnsielem Nativity Association in Gozo. This organization brings together professionals and enthusiasts of theancient nativity tradition, whose members meet regularly throughout the year to carry on this heritage, with workshops, lectures and meetings where international experts are hosted.

Father João Marcos Boranelli C.R., rector of the Basilica, said he was thrilled to be able to host the exhibition, “A wonderful opportunity to admire artifacts that are a symbol of the faith and love of the Maltese people for the great and profound mystery of the incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. An initiative that we are happy to support precisely because we belong to the Theatine order, which has a deep connection with the history and devotion to the nativity scene. Our founder, Saint Gaetano, so revered and loved by the Maltese people, is considered the inventor of the characteristic Neapolitan Nativity scene. Through the crib, the Holy Founder of the Theatines aimed to sensitize the faithful to the mystery of the Incarnation by setting it in the everyday occupations of ordinary life, dominated by the presence of the Nativity scene. It is thanks to St. Gaetano that the Nativity has become part of popular culture and the family devotion of the faithful, remaining there until today. With this historical connection to the nativity tradition, and aware of the great devotion of the Maltese people to St. Gaetano, it gives us as Theatines and custodians of the monumental Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome so much pleasure to welcome with this exhibition of nativity scenes, symbolically all the Maltese people, who are represented here.”

“This exhibition gives us the opportunity to tell the story of Maltese religious culture from the perspective of exchange between local people and communities,” said Chairman Gavin Gulia for Malta Tourism Authority. “It is a great honor for us to be able to show a very significant fragment of Maltese culture to local and international visitors who will decide to visit our nativity scenes, which are not only a symbol of our culture and spiritual tradition, but also valuable handicrafts. Malta, which has always been a meeting place for heterogeneous populations, placed as it is at the center of the lines that ideally connect Europe, Africa and the Middle East, welcomed St. Paul who was shipwrecked there and brought Christianity to the islands. The archipelago, with its 359 churches is and has been a pilgrimage destination of popes as well and hopes for international relations of peace turned to the joy and serenity of all peoples.”

The exhibition dedicated to Maltese cribs can be visited free of charge.

Twenty-six Maltese nativity scenes on display at the Basilica of SantAndrea della Valle in Rome

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