Good Friday
Exhibition in Zurrieq
THE AUTHOR
I am a Gozitain but have been living in Malta for the last 23 years. In 1979, I happend to attend a very popular feast in one of Malta's villages. I was so impressed by the obscenities, bad language and materialism I witnessed that from that very moment I started thinking how something else could make up or change the people's attitude towards feast. So, such profane celebrations started the ball rolling. It was exactly a year later when I was watching a Good Friday Procession at Cospicua ( Bormla ) when such a devout activity triggered the thought of doing something, which many people could enjoy in a more peaceful and religious atmosphere.
One day I happened to be talking to a friend of mine who is olso a neighbour and I told him about my dream of organising a Holy Friday Exhibition in my basemant. Alfred my neighbour was simply delighted and agreed with me. He knew a man who works Biblical figures and urged me to go with him to this man. He offerd to help me as well. He himself had some Good Friday statues at his house. It was also agreed that there will be a free contribute in aid of a charitable institutions and philanthropic purposes.
It was in March 1998 when my dream matereialised. The first exhibition was inaugurated by Zurrieq Archpriest Rev.Karm Farrugia. the exhibition was a real success. In fact about 3,000 people visited it. A total of Lm223 in donations was raised and this was given to a widow whose son needed medication abroad.
On Thursday 25th March 1999, Council members of the Malta Grand Priory of the Military and the Hospitalliers Order of St.Lazzarus of Jerusalem, headed by H.E. The Grand Prior Marquis Antoine Zammit officially opened the exhibition for the second time.
The Grand Priory of the Maltese Islands donated Lm100. Proceeds from collections during the whole week amounted to Lm623. This time the number of visitors went up to 5,000. The money collected was shared among three needy families, two of which had a handicapped child who needed an IBIC course in pysiotherapy.
Last year's exhibition was inaugurated by the President and founder of the Eden Foundation Dr.Josie Muscat. The donations raised, which amounted to Lm441 was donated to the Eden Foundation. The number of visitors totaled to 4,000.
The exhibition actually consists of two separate collections of Good Friday statues, one of which is owned by Mr. Alfred Grima and the other is owned by Dr. Victor Camilleri ( myself ).
In all Mr. Grima has 16 statues depicting scenes of the way of the cross. The statues consist of 68 figures each of which is 16 inches tall. Each statue stands on a pedestal covered with velvet drapery. The clothing was done by Mrs. Rita Grima, Alfred's wife.
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E-MAIL comments to Dr.Victor Camilleri.
Good Friday Procession at Cospicua ( Bormla )
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GOOD FRIDAY. A set of Traditional miniature statutes.
Site by Raymond
Calleja. ( Bormla ) March 2001