Xaghra Parish » Gallery » 2013 » CHRISTMAS 2013 » 29 DEC 2013 - REMINISCENCES OF MICHELINA SULTANA
Michelina Sultana was born and bred in the shadow of the parish Church of Xaghra. Born on 8th November 1934, the eldest of a large family of Vincent and Antonia, she spent her life helping her mother. She took it as her vocation in life and remained a spinster.
Michelina was the first to be present inside the Basilica whenever celebrations were taking part throughout the year besides the daily routine attending Mass. A keen enthusiast of the crib she was one of the first to register as a member of the Ghaqda Il-Milied fix-Xaghra, (Society Christmas in Xaghra). She was also keen on crafts especially ganutell (filigree works) which she managed to make of the highest quality. Every year she used to exhibit some of her works at the Crafts Exhibition organised at Christmastime by the Ghaqda Il-Milied fix-Xaghra.
Michelina passed away on 15th April 2013 but her love of the crib lived after her. Thanks to her in laws, Canon Joseph Cini and Fabio Azzopardi, her house was opened at Christmastime for visitors to see a large crib which they built in her memory. Another smaller crib by Fabio was also on show. Both were extremely artistically done. Visitors were also able to enjoy seeing all the filigree works (ganutell) of Michelina. Another very interesting scene was that resembling a young girl asleep on an old sofa (kanape’) with traditional Christmas sweets next to her, the old traditional way of presents received by children while they were asleep. All these can be viewed in the attached photos.
Both Canon Cini and Mr Azzopardi are to be commended for their initiative.
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