As
all other parts of the world, Nadur has its own Christmas traditions
and festivities. Thanks to the Church, the MUSEUM and other
organizations the Christmas spirit lives on in our town year after
year. Looking back through the years, one cannot but observe that
Christmas-related activities are on the increase.
The main streets and squares are decorated and lit with multicolored lights on the first week of December. At the same time numerous houses decorate their facades. Shop windows throughout December 13th Street, the main square and other parts of Nadur display the usual Christmas decorations and a large variety of toys and presents to lure Christmas shoppers who jam the streets. Christmas trees and the figure of Santa Claus are seen all over the place.
Some of Gozo's most beautiful cribs are made in Nadur. The MUSUEM-boys branch, the Youth Centre, December 13th Armar Committee and other crib-enthusiasts keep their appointment year after year and build their traditional cribs… depicting Bethlehem 2000 years ago.
As
in nearly all towns and villages in Malta, Nadur has got its own
Christmas Eve procession with children carrying a statue of baby
Jesus and singing Christmas carols along Nadur's main roads
accompanied by the Mnarja Band.
Then, on Christmas Evening a traditional variety show takes place at
the Basilica, featuring also a special sermon by small child dressed
as an acolyte.
An
old tradition that is still kept alive in Nadur is the sowing of
wheat, grain and canary seed (gulbiena) on clots of cotton in
flat pans four weeks before Christmas and nurtured in the darkness
of cupboards in the kitchen. These seeds shoot up and remain as
white as Santa's beard! They are then placed next to the infant
Jesus and around Nadur's cribs.
Christmas
is a special time for everyone, especially children. And they have
their own special day too at their MUSEUM branches. On a scheduled
day they leave the branch with their Christmas presents… beautiful
cribs and statues made by elder youths at the same branch.
The
year ends and kicks off in prayer at Nadur's Basilica. The Kwaranturi
is a
special 40-hour marathon of prayer and thanksgiving. The annual Kwaranturi
starts in Nadur on December 30th at noon and end on January 1st.
This
is the way the Nadurin celebrate Christmas… a very special time
for all!
