Xaghra Parish » Gallery » Festa 2008 » 02 SEP 08 INAUGURATION OF NEW STATUE
Louis Portelli ,from Cardiff, comes every year to Xaghra for the festa. Taking no chances of not being here on time he comes in June making him the first emigrant to arrive, all the rest from the other five continents following him later. But had you asked Louis where he is from, he will proudly tell you he is from Xaghra, his birthplace. Yes, Louis was born in Xaghra but had to emigrate to earn a living. He moved body and soul but his heart he left behind in his hometown. Once here, Louis starts helping in preparations for the street decorations and that makes him feel his roots, since childhood he loved the Bambina. To further seal this bond with the Bambina he decided to order a statue at his expense, a statue of the God the Father crowning the Madonna Queen of Heaven and earth. The statue, although not complete and exhibiting only the Bambina, was ready and brought to Xaghra on Tuesday 2nd September 2008, the 35th Anniversary of the crowning of the statue of the Bambina in Xaghra. At 9.11 p.m., cars blowing their horns entered Victory Square with the van carrying the statue at the end of the carcade. Next to the statue was Louis, proudly showing to all those present a most beautiful Bambina whose face was as similar as possible to the one in the Basilica. Standing proudly on the truck was Louis and the artist Mario Camilleri Cauchi.
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