Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2009 » CHRISTMAS 2009 » 22 NOV 09 - SEMINAR ON CRIBS - GHAQDA IL-MILIED FIX-XAGHRA
The Neapolitan Baroque Crib (Presepio) was the theme for this year’s Seminar on the Crib held for the fifth year by the Ghaqda Il-Milied fix-Xaghra (Society Christmas in Xaghra). The seminar was held on Sunday 22 November 2009 at the Xaghra Youth Centre from 10.00 am to noon. Attendance once again was very encouraging proving how much crib enthusiasts will be looking forward to it. They came from all walks of life, those from a very young age to senior citizens. Renowned large crib builders were among the audience including the Secretary of the Ghaqda Hbieb tal-Presepju Ghawdex Malta, Mr Anton Galea, well known locally for his long and able crib building experience. Fr Charles Vella was the guest speaker invited to conduct this year’s seminar. Fr Vella is closely associated with the Neapolitan Crib and an esteemed authority on the subject. His talents for clay modelling and painting were in evidence when he was very young. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1993, Fr Vella studied art and restoration in Milan under the tutorship of P.D.M. with other renowned local artists. Among his works in Malta one finds restoration of paintings at the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul in his hometown, Nadur; the Franciscan Conventual Church and that of the Franciscan Minors both in Valletta. Other works of restoration he carried out in Lipari (Messina, Italy) in the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew there, besides others on private collections, churches and museums. Terracotta pasturi (crib statuettes) on the Neapolitan style have in the past been exhibited in the Cathedral museum at Mdina and Heritage Malta Inquisitor’s palace in Vittoriosa. Visitors to the Banca Giuratale in Gozo were enthralled when he exhibited a unique original Neapolitan Crib. The Seminar was divided in two sections. First was a slide show by the Society’s President Mr Victor Agius on the historical evolution of the baroque Neapolitan Crib from a liturgical nativity to the lavish baroque splendour carvings in wood and terracotta with intricate details which adorned the court halls of the nobles and the king Carlo III of Naples. He explained in detail its history with Fr Charles Vella making short interventions. The second part was taken over by Fr Charles Vella. He explained the importance of the terracotta modelling of the head and upper torso, the hands with their articulated fingers showing movement and liveliness (see pict C4) making strong emphasis on the importance to observe these movements in real life. He also gave ample expert's advice on the techniques of clay firing, the placement of the glass eyes, etc. Another very interesting theme followed with Fr Vella showing how the authentic Neapolitan nativity figure is constructed. With him he brought head joined to upper torso and separate limbs which he made of polychromatic terracotta. He then moved on to the technique of making the whole figurine (pastur). With masterly experience, Fr Vella entwined tow onto pieces of wire to serve as the base for hands and limbs. Finally the audience were given the opportunity to individually closely examine the wearing apparel of the Neapolitan nobility in all its splendour and grandeur. In the course of his talk, Fr Vella had to answer many questions raised by the audience indicating how much closely they were following the proceedings. Time has shown that the Society - Ghaqda Il-Milied fix-Xaghra, since its inception five years ago, has gone a long way not only to help crib enthusiasts in their passion but also encouraging others to start building the crib in various forms using different media. The aim of the Society is for a crib to have a prominent place in every home during the Christmas period. Before the seminar came to a close, the president of the Society, Mr Victor Agius, paid tribute to the late Frans Ebejer from Qormi who for two years in succession (go to Past Events 2006) conducted the seminar in building the crib using jablo. Fr Vella led the prayers for the repose of Ebejer’s soul.
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