Feast of Generosity towards Id-Dar tal-Providenza on New Year’s Day

Details were given on the 21st edition of the Feast of Generosity that takes place every New Year’s Day. It is organised by RTK4Charity primarily to raise funds so that id-Dar tal-Providenza can continue to provide and improve on the services it offers.

Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, explained the four main reasons behind the Feast of Generosity: to meet up with the residents, to see the capital projects, to raise the much needed funds but more importantly to spread the Home’s message that society has to respect persons with disability, treat them with the dignity they deserve and offer them choices and opportunities that everyone has a right to enjoy.

The Feast of Generosity kicks off at 9.00am with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mgr Charles J. Scicluna in the Home’s chapel. Focus will then be on the main stage under the big tent where there will be a spectacle of entertainment and interviews with various personalities who visit the Home during the day.

This year an auction of works of art kindly donated by over one hundred Maltese and foreign artists will again be held as part of the Feast of Generosity. The public will be able to view beforehand these works of art at an exhibition set up in the foyer of Parliament building in Valletta between the 15th and 26th December. Viewing will be between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday whilst on the weekend doors are open between 9.00am and 1.00pm.

The exhibition will be officially opened by the Speaker of the House, Dr Anġlu Farrugia on Wednesday, 14th December at 5.00pm

On New Year’s Day they will then be displayed at Id-Dar tal-Providenza.  All those wishing to bid for the works of art may do so online on www.dtpauction.com between the 15th of December 2016 and 1st of January 2017.  On New Year’s Day there will also be the possibility for bidding by phone on  a number that will be texted on the TV screens during the broadcast on the main local TV stations. One may also visit the hall at Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi where the works may also be viewed. The catalogue with all the works ofart may be viewed on www.dtpauction.com as from the 15th December.

The CD Compilation ‘Ħelu Bambin 3’ is on sale in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and is produced and written by Fr George Ocar Buttigieg OFM Conv. with the participation of various established Maltese singers. This year a video of one of the songs “O Divin Bambin” interpreted by Chiara and Ludwig Galea was shot in Greccio where St Francis created the first Christmas Crib, the Holy Crib at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, the Mdina Cathedral, at the monastery of the Benedictine nuns also in Mdina and at the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu. 

For the benefit of those who will not be able to visit id-Dar tal-Providenza, the whole telethon, that ends around midnight, will be relayed ‘live’ on the main television stations. Donations may be made at the Home in Siġġiewi, at Radio RTK studios in Blata l-Bajda or by phone as follows:

€10 Donation                  –         516 02 012  

€15 Donation                  –         517 02 013  

€25 Donation                  –         518 02 014

SMS  €  7 Donation                  –         506 18 922     

Another speaker during the press conference was Mr Tonio Bonello, RTK Programmes Manager and coordinator of the Feast of Generosity who gave more details on what is planned to happen on New Year’s day.