General Information

The village is spread of 20,000 square metre of land

Point of interests will include the carpenter and blacksmith houses, the bakery, a market selling natural fruits, fresh fish and vegetables, a wine tavern, the Bethlehem Inn
where you can literally rent a room and sleep for one night, a local crafts area
and a stable hosting the animals.

The main attraction will be the grotto with Mary, Joseph, & baby Jesus.

Fresh water will be flowing around these structures through a small river.

Each house will host a family, played by actors, to remind us that the
story of Christmas revolves around a family.

The inauguration ceremony on the 11th of December will include a
re-enactment of the ‘trip’ of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem

Roman legionaries located at the eighteenth century Fort Chambray
located just across the road from ‘Ta Passi’ fields will also
feature in periodical re-enactments

School children and the elderly will be invited to visit Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem
on Thursdays 12th and 14th December between 9.30am and 12.30pm.
During these two days, the nativity village will be animated by the children.
An informational booklet printed on recycled paper will be given to all schoolchildren

 The Nativity village will close with the Adoration of the Magi
on Epiphany, Sunday 8th January 2012. The 'Three Kings' will depart from the village
of Mellieha (Malta) in the morning and cross to Gozo by ferry before making
the triumphal entrance to the nativity village late in the afternoon.

 

Quick Facts

The nativity village will be animated by 150 live actors on weekends and public holidays

The census demanded by the Roman emperor (visitor's book) will be taken on entrance.

All visitors will be given a map and a children's quiz book

Over 6,000 cypress tree seeds will be distributed to visitors
in collaboration with Eco-Gozo and Hands-on Farming

The tavern will offer traditional local food and wine to all visitors

'Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem' Vintage Wine  will be available for sale which is ideal as a souvenir gift. You can also buy Christmas cards with scenic pictures from last year's event

On Sunday and Public Holidays, the Nativity village will be animated
with several cultural activities from local talents

Information boards will offer facts and pictures about
the daily life in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus

A picnic area will offer unique surroundings for a family outing on Sundays

On Saturday night, the atmosphere is enhanced by dozens of bonfires and oil lamps

Entrance is free. Easy parking space at Ghajnsielem Football Grounds

Ferry passengers can leave their car in Cirkewwa and visit the Nativity Village on foot.

 

Did you know...

You can rent one of the four rooms at the Bethlehem Inn and sleep for one night
to re-live the life of Jesus of 2000 years ago. Click here for more information and reservations

You can go on the roof terrace of the Famhouse and the Bethlehem Inn to enjoy 360°
panoramic views of Ghajnsielem centre and Ta' Passi fields.
It is a great opportunity for keen photographers to take some fantastic shots!

You can enter inside the carpenter's and blacksmith's houses and watch the father at work with his wife cooking and children playing around (...or sleeping). You can also buy a wooden souvenir or taste traditional local products freshly made by their wife.
 

'Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem' will have a water-wheel with fresh-water flowing out from a spring.
Over 10,000 litres of water will be used to create this impressive effect.

Over 55,000 visited the first edition of Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem in  December, 2008
Gozo Channel registered a record increase in passenger crossings during the same period.
The busiest day recorded at the nativity village was the  3rd January 2010
when over 7,000 witnessed the 'Adoration of the Magi'

Over 150 actors and 25 ushers are needed for the animation to run smoothly

The Fondazzjoni Bethlehem f’Ghajnsielem, the organisation that runs the event was only the 8th organisation in Malta and the first organisation in Gozo to be certified
MSA EN ISO 14001:2004 by the Malta Standards Authority.

Health and safety are given absolute priority both during the construction of
the nativity village and also during the opening and animation.

Going hands-in-hands with the Eco-Gozo vision, several waste separation bins have
been placed at strategic locations while the use of plastic during construction has
been eliminated. Approximately 75% of the wood used in construction was either reused or recycled wood. Public transport is constantly being encouraged.