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VITTORIOSA HISTORICAL GUIDE IN FRENCH

H.E. Mr Patrick Chrismant, the Ambassador of France, recently received at the French Embassy in Valletta a delegation from the Vittoriosa Historical and Cultural Society.  During the short encounter the Society representatives pointed out that the number of French visitors to Vittoriosa was on the increase, the main attraction for them being the unique Auberge de France, which is thankfully still preserved to this day in its original form as it existed during the Great Siege of 1565.  On his part the French Ambassador praised the Society for publishing a historical tourist guide to Vittoriosa in the French Language.  The Society thanked Mr Chrismant for supporting their initiative.  The Society was represented by Rev. Can. Paul Raggio, President, Mr George Cilia, Vice-President, and Mr Lorenzo Zahra, Secretary.  Copies of the guide may be obtained from the Society or from the St Joseph Oratory Parish Museum, Vittoriosa.

BOOK BY VITTORIOSA AUTHOR LAURENCE MIZZI

Laurence Mizzi has published a book entitled. ‘Il-Knisja u Malta fil-Gwerra 1939 – 1945’, Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, (paperback).  It is a unique chronicle of the war epic highlighting the important role played by the Church.  The unifying force of the Church sustained the faith and morale of the people during the worst days of the war. The author delves into a great number of documents, mainly from the Curia as well as from other sources.  He makes various allusions to Vittoriosa which was at the thick of the bombing and he relates the tragic loss of lives at the Sacristy of St Lawrence Church.  The book contains many wartime pictures including one showing the pile of rubble into which the Annunciation Church at Vittoriosa was reduced, and another picture showing the pilgrimage on the occasion of the return of the statute of St Lawrence to war-ravaged Birgu in 1944.

DEMISE OF DR PAUL MALLIA

The death was announced on 25 July 2005 of Dr Paul Mallia, LL.D, BA. at the age of 82.  He was born at Vittoriosa and was an ardent contributor to the city’s wellbeing.  He was also active in various fields: he was the first President of the Cana Movement and headed various sacred congregations at Valletta.  He was also the legal advisor of the Curia.  At Vittoriosa he was widely known for his attachment with the Duke of Edinburgh Band, now known as Banda Vittoriosana San Lawrenz, of which he was President for many years.  His solemn funeral, accompanied by the said band, took place at St Lawrence Church and was assisted by leading personalities including H.E. the Archbishop of Malta, Mons G. Mercieca.  Vittoriosa grieves his loss.  Condolences to his family.

VISIT TO VITTORIOSA BY MRS DULGER

On 30 July 2005 Mrs Dulger, the wife of Malta’s Hon., Consul to Heidelberg, Germany, Dr Victor Dulger, paid a coutesy visit to Vittoriosa. Dr Dulger is the owner a successful manufacturing enterprise in Malta which in 1992 sponsored the erection on the site of the Auberge d’Allemagne at Vittoriosa Square of a marble tablet depicting the coat of arms of the Langue of Germany.  She was accompanied by the General Manger of the Maltese plant, Dr Albert Friggieri.  They were welcomed by Mr Lorenzo Zahra, Secretary of the Society.