News
Jan - Mar 2012
www.vittoriosahistorica.org
His Eminence Mons. Prospero Grech: Vittoriosa Cardinal
An honour for Malta, an honour for Vittoriosa
Episcopal ordination of Mons. Prospero Grech
Mons. Prospero Grech elevated to rank of Cardinal
Fra John Critien made Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice
L’Isle Adam choir books
A contemporary account of the Great Siege of 1565
Painter Giorgio Preca 1909-1984
Restoration of painting of St. Barbara by PervArti
Conservation works by ReCoop
St Lawrence pala d’altare
Mr Adrian Bowman passed away
Painter Mark Sagona
St Lawrence Church scheduled by MEPA
Fort St Angelo rehabilitation
The Post of Castille rediscovered
St Lawrence Band January-February 2012 newsletter
The Cottonera during the plague
Boutique hotel soon to open
Vittoriosa Marina among the top
Courtesy visit to Mifsud Garage Ltd
Vittoriosa restaurant reviewed
Malta Artisan Fair
Vittoriosa Local Council election
The Order of St John after its depature from Vittoriosa
Vittoriosa photo catalogue acclaimed
Life at Sea
Charles Dickens commemoration
Postage stamp depicting Emmanuele Vitale
St Lawrence Band March-April 2012 newsletter
A howler !
His Eminence Mons. Prospero Grech: Vittoriosa Cardinal
Vittoriosa is proud that one of its sons has been elected by H.H. Pope Benedict XVI to serve at the Vatican as Cardinal: Emm. Mons. Prospero Grech OSA. He will be Malta’s second cardinal in almost 200 years, in footsteps of Cardinal Fabrizio Sciberras Testaferrata, also born in Vittoriosa. Fr. Grech’s brilliant church career and his intellectual achievements were mentioned in the international church newspaper, The Catholic Herald when reporting the Pope’s decision to appoint 22 new cardinals. Fr. Grech was born at St Scholastica Street, Vittoriosa, on 24 December 1925 and was baptised at St Lawrence his joined the Agostinian Order, initially in Malta and proceeding with his studies in Rome and in Oxford. After his priestly ordination in 1950 he was based in Rome where he furthered his knowledge of theology and biblical studies, ultimately becoming Rector of the Lateran University. He contributed extensively to the work of Vatican Council II and was for may years Counsellor to the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. He is an admirer of St Lawrence and when in Rome, he would obtain special permission to pilgrims from Vittoriosa to visit the holy relic of the saint’s head which is preserved in the Pope’s private chapel where admission is restricted. His appointment as Cardinal was greeted with joy by the Maltese Curia, the Augustinian Priory, the Chapter of St Lawrence Collegiate Church, Vittoriosa, and the Vittoriosa Local Council. The Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society also sent him a letter of congratulations.
An honour for Malta, an honour for Vittoriosa
Vittoriosa journalist Lawrence Mizzi chronicles in the Sunday Times of Malta the experiences of Mons. Prospero from an interview he had with him. He mentions Fr. Grech’s close collaboration with Cardinal Albino Luciani who later became Pope John Paul I. They used to have lunch together and say Mass together. The very first letter Pope John Paul I wrote upon his election was one of thanks to Fr. Grech. His successor, Pope John Paul II also held Fr. Grech in high esteem. The author makes a flashback to the1960’s when Fr. Grech, already present in the Holy See at the time, tried to intervene in the negotiations between the Malta Labour Party and the Vatican in an attempt to solve the Island’s politico-religious dispute at the time. Unfortunately, his efforts were misinterpreted by the two sides in the dispute and the author alleges that this matter could have cost Fr. Grech his chance to be nominated auxiliary bishop of Malta.
His elevation to Cardinal, therefore, more than makes up for the unfair treatment he received.
Episcopal ordination of Mons. Prospero Grech
As a first step towards his investiture as cardinal, the 86-year old Augustinian friar Mons. Grech was consecrated bishop in St John’s Co-Cathedal, Valletta. The ceremony was led by Archbishop Paul Cremona, assisted by cardinal-elect Mons. Giuseppe Versaldi, president of the Holy See’s Prefecture of Economic Affairs, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech and another three bishops. Also present were numerous members of the Augustinian Order in Malta. The ceremony included various symbolic rituals which saw Fr. Grech making his vows and lying face down on the floor during the litany. It was a bitter surprise that in the litany, while various Augustinian saints were invoked, no mention was made of St Paul, Malta’s patron saint, but, ttfull, no mention was made either of St Lawrence, the saint in whose parish church Fr. Grech was baptised. A contingent of parishoners from Vittoriosa led by the Archpriest, were present for the ceremony.
Mons. Prospero Grech elevated to rank of Cardinal
The ceremony took place in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican where the Augustinian theologian from Vittoriosa, Mons. Prospero Grech, was elevated to the rank of cardinal along with another 21 prelates from 11 different countries. He knelt solemnly before Pope Benedict XVI as he received the cardinal’s hat and square cap. When the pontiff conferred him his ring, the two shared a brief embrace and exchanged greetings. Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech sat among their fellow bishops, with President George Abela and deputy prime minister Tonio Borg taking place among the foreign dignitaries.
Fra John Critien made Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice
Fra John Critien, the Knight Resident and Governor of Fort St Angelo was appointed Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice by the Grand master of the Sovreign Military Order of Malta, Fra Matthew Festing. The investiture took place at Palazzo Malta, the Order’s headquarters in Rome. Fra John Critien is currently adviser to the Sovreign Council and the conservator of the Order’s art collection. This is the first time that such a high rank in the Order was granted to a Maltese.
L’Isle Adam choir books
“The Making of the L’Isle Adam Manuscripts” is an extract, published in Treasures of Malta, No. 52 Vol. XVIII no1, from the doctorial these of Therese Zammit Lupi on the remarkable set of choir books commissioned by Grand Master L’Isle Adam in 1533 and nor preserved at St John’s Co Cathedral Museum. These manuscripts, consisting of 10 volumes, were produced in France and prominently adorned the high lecturn at the choir of St Lawrence Conventual Church in Birgu before the Order transferred its headquarters to Valletta in 1572. It is likely these litugical books replaced those which the Order had brought to Malta from Rhodes and were destroyed in the hapless fire at St Lawrence Church in 1532. The books are hugh and heavy and contain priceless hand-crafted illuminations and decorations, apart from the musical scores for the Holy Mass written in the Gothic script and executed on cured leather parchment.
The books were subject to subsequent intervention following the liturgical modifications introduced by the Council of Trent.
A contemporary account of the Great Siege of 1565
In a study in Treasures of Malta, No. 52 Vol. XVIII no1, entitled “A largely unexplored account of the Great Siege”, Robert Thake, a connoisseur of book history, dwells on the authorship of a publication on the Great Siege, issued in 1566 in Venice which has been erroneously attributed to Hieronymus Alessandrini. Following the Great Siege, news of the Order’s victory over the Turks spread throughout Europe and in the decade that followed, a vast amount of literature on the Order’s exploits was published. The publication in question was actually the work of the prolific 16 th century Venetian writer Natalis Comes. This has been established on the basis of a version of the publication that has so far escaped the attention of bibliographers that came to light at the University of Malta Library and which clearly bears the author’s name.
The pamphlet, printed at the Venetian press of Giordano Ziletti, contains 63 pages and gives prominence to Grand Master La Vallette’s battle manoeuvres from the beleaguered city of Birgu.
Painter Giorgio Preca 1909-1984
The late art critic Dennis Vella, in Treasures of Malta, No. 52 Vol. XVIII no1, studies the life and achievements of Giorgio Preca, considered as the pioneer of Modern Art in Malta. He distinguished himself for his portraiture and Maltese scenery and won prestigeous commissions from high society. He studied under Edward and Robert Caruana Dingli. One of his modern paintings, reproduced in Treasures of Malta, depicts Vittoriosa wharf showing in sleek, abrasive lines and flat colours the church of St Lawrence still with one belfry, with the flight of steps that led directly to the seafront.
Restoration of painting of St. Barbara by PervArti
The altarpiece of the Capuchin Church at Kalkara showing the Martyrdom of St Barbara, painted by Agostino Masucci in 1739, has been professionally restored by PrevArti. Senior Conservationist Pierre Bugeja and Rev. Dr. Martin Micallef OFM Cap. chronicle in Treasures of Malta, No. 52 Vol. XVIII no1, the scientific process of restoration. The Capuchin presence in Kalkara dates back to 1736 when Giuseppe Valerio Abela donated a plot of land which stood at the time in the parish of Vittoriosa, to the Capuchins were to build a friary and church. The church was dedicated to St.Barbara in memory of the benefactor’s mother who was named after the saint. The painting was donated to the Capuchins by the Grand Prior of Germany.
Conservation works by ReCoop
Treasures of Malta, No. 52 Vol. XVIII no1 carries a cover sheet of restoration works carried out by ReCoop, specialists in architectural and fine arts conservation. Among the pictures included of restoration works undertaken is one of Mattia Preti’s Martyrdom of St Lawrence at St John Co-cathedal, and another one of works on the French Curtain at the Vittoriosa landfront fortifications.
St Lawrence pala d’altare
The Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society Secretary, Lorenzo Zahra, was interviwed on the TV cultural programme Malta u lil hinn minnha. The interview focussed on the Mattia Preti magnificent pala d’altare of St Lawrence parish church, Vittoriosa, depicting the Martyrdom of St Lawrence. It is a large canvas which even caught the attention of the King of France, Louise XIV, who was interested in acquiring it for his palace at Versailles.
Mr Adrian Bowman passed away
Mr Adrian Bowman passed away after he was involved in a tragic accident at his home in Old Governor’s Palace Street, Vittoriosa. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Pauline, his son and daughers, the Bowman family and the Ciantar family. His funeral, led by the Rev. Archpriest, was held at St Lawrence Church, followed by interment at St Lawrence Cemetery. His considerable voluntary assistance in the parish life will be missed, particularly his support of marriage preparation conferences for young engaged couple and his services as a church guide at St Lawrence Church. He was also an ardent participant in the historic enactment known as In Guardia, staged periodically by the Malta Tourism Authority. He was an active member of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society.
Painter Mark Sagona
The young Gozitan arist Mark Sagona has put up an exhibition at the Matese Embassy in Paris. His collection of semi-abstract land and sea-scapes on display featured views of Malta among which an acrylic on canvas showing shadowy images in beautiful colour of the Vittoriosa marina, with St Lawrence church in the foreground, dominated by Fort St Angelo.
St Lawrence Church scheduled by MEPA
The parish church of St Lawrence was built on the site of the original Conventual Church of the Order, built to the design of architect Lorenzo Gafa’ in 1681 with possible subsequent intervention by Romano Carapecchia. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has scheduled the church as a Grade I monument as per Government Notice no. 782.
Fort St Angelo rehabilitation
The govenment announced the successful approval of EU funds amounting to EUR 13.4 million for the restoration of Fort St Angelo. The project has been on the way for some time and various works have been done, but will now be boosted with the availability of the finance. It is aimed to make the Fort a major cultural attraction and will include repair of the bastions, paving of pathways and the setting up of information ponts around the precincts.
The Post of Castille rediscovered
The programme Skoperti on NetTV produced by Dione Borg focuses attention on different areas of particular interest across the Islands. The recent edition of the programme was dedicated to the Post of Castille at Vittoriosa. The programme was entrusted to historian Lino Bugeja who took viewers on a conducted tour of the fort while explaining its unique historic value. He affirmed the heroic defence of the fort during the Great Siege of 1565 with the fiercest battle, which proved to be the turning point of the siege, led by Grand Master La Vallette himself.
The Post of Castille is depicted three times in the Perez d’Allecio frescos of the Great Siege at the Grand Masters’ Palace in Valletta, commissioned by Grand Master La Cassier. Lino Bugeja stated that it is likely that the Piccolo Soccorso, the small relief force, found its way into Birgu in the middle of the Siege through a small opening in the bastions that has recently been uncovered after the removal of unsightly stores that were blocking it at Kalkara. Following the Great Siege, after many years of neglect, the Post of Castille was revitalised in 1720 under the direction of the military engineers Mondion and Tigne. Lino Bugeja pointed to remarkable defence features found at the fort including the cannon ramps, the rifle slits in the walls, the recochet or blast walls (caponier), the hornwork, the terraced batteries and the sally portes.
During World War II the Post of Castille was again the scene of tragic experiences and misery as the people of Birgu came here to seek refuge from the heavy bombardment, notably is the great tunnel beneath the bastions. They excavated shelters in the rock for safety from the destructive bombs. Lino Bugeja remembered himself as a young boy watching speechless the sad sight of his one-year old infant brother who died of diphtheritis in his mother’s arms right in this place. There was famine and dirt all over the place, yet these people stayed on at ravaged Birgu, prefering to be close to their city. He recalled the terrible pile of stones that was once the St Lawrence Aula Capitolaris when it received a direct hit on that tragic 16 January 1941, when 38 people were buried alive under the debris.
St Lawrence Band January-February 2012 newsletter
This Edition no. 67 carries a recent picture on the front cover showing the St Lawrence Band participation in Carnival. This recalls the numerous occasion in the past that the Band won trophies for its successful Carnival programmes. The main highlight of this issue is the biographical note on Vittoiosa-born Fr. Prospero Grech OSA on his prest igeous election to the post of Cardinal. This issue also continues the extended interview with Mons. Lawrenz Mifsud who mentions some of the difficult and controvertial decisons he took during his time as Archpriest, notably his refusal to cancel the celebtation of the feast of St Lawrence in1978 on the occasion of the funeral of Pope Paul VI. Mons. Mifsud affirms his bonds with his native city and bemoans the apparent decline in the cultural and social fabric. On the historical side, George Cilia recalls a forgotten tradition that was still popular till some years after the war during Easter: the raffle for “figolli” by making bets on numbers and determining the winning numbers bt means of the hand-operated roulette known as “cippitatu”. The last to indulge in this sort of activity was Pawlu Farretti. In his usual historical snipets from the past, Anton Attard describes the reputation enjoyed in pre-war years by the boys choir of the Vittoriosa Society of Christian Doctine, the Muzew. It was led by the Superior of the section, Ganni Schembri and after the war, by his successor, Joe Farrugia Cassano, who has been for many years a Member of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society. Anton Attard also narrates how in the early years of the 19th century two Protestant British officers were expelled from the Army because they refused to fire a gun salute on the feast of St Lawrence. The magazine conclude by an article by Lorenzo Zahra on Mro. Giovanni Giumarra who was among the renouned bandmasters of the St. Lawrence Band, then called Duke of Edinburgh Band. He was a successful musician and won various prizes and medals in international music competitions.
The Cottonera during the plague
Anton Attard, vice-president of the Vittoriosa Historical & Culturul Society, wrote an article on the above subject in programme for the feast of the Immaculate Conception held at Cospicua. Various outbreaks took place during the past eight centuries and in most cases they surfaced in Cottonera harour area because of its exposure and contact with the outside world. One of the severest plagues took place in 1519 when a large portion of the population perished. Two chapels dedicated to St Sebastion, protector against the pestilience, were built, one at Rabat and one at Birgu. The latter was subsequently dismantled during the construction of St Lawrence church. Another sever outbreak was that of 1675 which dragged on for 7 months. Victims from Vittoriosa were buried in a consegrated field at Tal-Hawli, whic later became known as St Roque Cemetary.
Boutique hotel soon to open
Palazzo Vittoriosa, an old classic 16-th century building at Vittoriosa, is being restored and converted into a boutique hotel. The project is being carried out by the owners, the Dutch couple Remco and Jessica Slik. The place was visited by the Prime Minister, Mr Lawrence Gonzi, who was accompanied by Tourism Minister, Mr Mario de Marco. The Prime Minister took the occasion to annouce record tourist figures for 2011, with the number of arrivals exceeding 1.4 million, as well as increases in the number of bednights and tourist spending.
Vittoriosa Marina among the top
Grand Harbour Marina, the owners of the Vittoriosa Yacht Marina, capably managed by Campers & Nicholsons announced that it had been awarded a prestigeous certificate confirming its position as one of the top rated marinas on PortBooker.com, the world’s largest online nautical guide featuring over 8,500 marinas worldwide. Among the reasons for this achievement is its beautiful scenery and location and its “proximity to one of the Malta’s historic cities”.
Courtesy visit to Mifsud Garage Ltd
Minister Jason Azzopardi paid a visit to Mifsud Garage premises at Vittoriosa to discuss with management the incentives that the company had acquired from the state-sponsored small private business scheme Microinvest. The company offers car hire services. coaches.
Vittoriosa restaurant reviewed
With its original name, Two and a Half Lemon, restaurant was reviewed in The Sunday Times of Malta. Apart from the quality services, it is distinguised by its unique location, overlooking the Grand Harbour Marina and set inside and age-old stone vault adjacent to the Maritme Museum.
Malta Artisan Fair
Another Arts & Crafts Fair was held at Couvre Porte with the assistance of the Vittoriosaa Local Council. Numerous stalls were set up with a diversit of hand made local products including filigree, lacework, beads, egg-art, painting, pottery. There were also food stands displaying and offering Maltese food products: honey, wine, fruit. Musical background was offered by two boys playing simple film scores on the saxophone.
Vittoriosa Local Council election
This year it was election time for the Vittoriosa Local Council. This will now be made up as follows: Mr John Boxall, Mr Lawrence Attard, Mr Alan Cassar, Mr Trevor Mizzi and Mr Anton Gellel. All except Mr Boxall are serving as councillors for the first time.
The Order of St John after its depature from Vittoriosa
Nobility, Faith and masculinity: the Hospitaller Knights of Malta 1580-1700 is the title of Emanuel Buttigieg’s new book. During this period the Knights were firmly settled on the Island after the successful 1565 and the move to the new city. It was a period of consolidation of the Order but at the same time the start of social pressures that eventually led to its decline an decadence. The author moves away from traditional history and concentrates on cultural trends and perspectives, the diversities, ambiguities and contraditions that accompanied the demographic revival during this period.
Vittoriosa photo catalogue acclaimed
Joe Smith’s book Survivors, a photographic portrayal of the ageing population of Vittoriosa published in 2011 and distributed by Agenda Bookshop, was given extensive coverage in the international photographic magazine Black and White Photography.
Life at Sea
The Malta Maritime Museum organised another edition of this annual activity comprising re-enactment of life at the Vittoriosa harbour in the 18th century, military drills, guided tours and other activities connected with the sea.
Charles Dickens commemoration
This year marked the 200th anniversary from the birth of the great novelist. The Bitish Council organised various commemorative events, among which, in collaboration with Heritage Malta, a presentation on Dicken’s chronicles entiled The Uncommercial Traveller of 1860 in which he writes about The Shipwreck. This was an allusion to the tragedy of The Royal Charter which took place in Angelesy in North Wales in 1855. Of the 500 people on board, only 40 survived and these through the gallantry of a shipmate Joseph Rogers, otherwise Guzeppi Ruggier, who was born in Vittoriosa. The presentation was made by Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society member, Dr Raymond Agius, who is a direct descendant of the hero.
Postage stamp depicting Emmanuele Vitale
In 2002 the postal authorities issued a stamp depicting one of the leading persons during the uprising of the Maltese against the French occupiers in 1800, Emmanuele Vitale. He is illustrated wearing a military uniform. Denis Darmanin, in an article in The Sunday Times of Malta, with is extensive knowledge of military uniforms, concludes that the image could not be that of Vitale. Mr Darmanin is a committee member of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society.
St Lawrence Band March-April 2012 newsletter
This Edition no. 68 is mainly dedicated to the Good Friday programme at Vittoriosa, including the band’s own contribution in this regard. In the editorial, Lawrence V. Farrugia, recounts the preparations for the band club’s Good Friday exhibition. He also announced that the necessary MEPA permit for the restoration of the band club’s premises facade has been issued and works would soon start. Lorenzo Zahra, recalls the devotion that existed at Vittoriosa since the 18th century towards the Nazarine. The feast took place in the middle of Lent and was celebrated the Via Sagra Confraternity by with great pomp, including a High Mass and Vespers with musical accompaniment, followed by a procession. Anton Attard, in his usual historical flashbacks, this time records the construction in 1675 by Grand master Nicholas Cottoner, to the design of Mondion, of the majestic Cottonera Gate, or as it is popularly known, Bieb is-Sultan. He also narrates the story of the advent and departure of the Carmelite Order at Vittoriosa. This edition of the newsletter contains a fitting tribute to Mro Pacifico Scicluna, who despite his innumerable commitments with several bandclubs around Malta, always gave priority and loved the Duke of Edinburgh Band of Vittoriosa. The Paul Micallef interview with Vitoriosa personalities is this time dedicated to Salvu Magro, who for almost 40 years was the contractor who decorated the streets of Vittoriosa with electical illuminations for the feast of the patron, Saint Lawrence. He is a long standing member and supporter of the St Lawrence Band.
A howler !
In a TV quiz on one of the local stations, the question was asked the contestants: which saint is depicted holding a ladder in his hands ? Nobody knew. The quiz presenter came with the answer: St Lawrence. What ladder ! St Lawrence holds the instrument of his martydom: the gridiron. Relics from the gridiron are venerated at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, Rome.