News


Oct - Dec 2012

www.vittoriosahistorica.org


Birgufest 2012
Marble restoration project at St Lawrence Church
Priceless patrimony in peril
Restoration works on the Post of Castille
Polemic about trees and fortifications
Question about the Grand Master’s correct name
Grade 1 national monuments at Vittoiosa
If you have it, flaunt it
Statue of The Scourging of Jesus
Processional statues in Malta
Vittoriosa toponomy
Confraternities in Malta
Episcopal ordination of Mons. Charles Scicluna
Year of Faith inauguration
Joseph Adami passed away
Society for the Repose of Souls in Purgatory
Church archives online
Fr Paul Chetcuti SJ appointment
Fr Tony Mercieca interviewed
Centru Access at Vittoriosa
Maltese boats
St Lawrence Band September-October 2012 newsletter
International games at Vittoriosa Lawn Tennis Club
Vittoriosa Bocci Club success
Multi-period re-enactment at Verdala Palace
In Guardia at Vittoriosa
Vittoriosa Local Council provide e-gov services
Vittoriosa – Belvi twinning agreement
Vittoriosa – Amalfi c30ooperation
University for the Three Cities
Car-free day a Vittoriosa
Old Photos of Birgu
Maltese history in 5D
Malta after AD870
HMS Illustrious back in Malta
Marine engineering software at Vittoriosa
Mro Emanuel Spagnol lead instrumental programme
Sir Paul Boffa biography
Recreational zone around Vittoriosa
Kercem visitors at Vittoriosa
Great Siege exhibition
Laurence Mizzi’s Hsad fil-Harifa
Martin Morana’s Ara X’Int Tghid
The Art of Dying Well in Baroque Malta
Emanuele Buhagiar 1876-1962
St Lawrence Band November-December 2012 newsletter
Christmas at Vittoriosa
Santa Barbara
Errata corrige:



Birgufest 2012
What has become known as the Birgu By Candlelight Festival, now in its seventh edition, has again been a success. Crowds of locals and foreigners visited Vittoriosa and admired its historical sites and passed an enjoyable evening, entertained by a variety of choirs, bands and concerts. But the main attraction was undoubtedly the candlelight illumination when the old streets of the city were lit by thousands of candles adding a romantic touch to the city historical ambience. Birgufest was given prominence in the summer issue of the house magazine of the Grand Hotel Excelsior in which it exhorted guests to “join thousands of others and head to Vittoriosa for this fascinating festival”. This year’s edition of Birgufest was a memorable one as it marked the signing of the twinning agreement of Vittoriosa with the French martime city of St Tropez. John Boxall, Vittoriosa mayor, and Claude Bernard, deputy mayor of St Tropez, signed the cooperation agreement aimed at promoting sustainable tourism notably in the maritime sector. The first mutual initiative has been a prestigious yachting regatta which started from St Tropez and ended at Vittoriosa Waterfront. This promises to be an annual event.

Marble restoration project at St Lawrence Church
The pilasters of the main aisle and the corner pilaster in the two side Chapels of Our Lady of Charity and of the Immaculate Conception in St Lawrence church are covered with red marble. Due to the passage of time and the high humidity emanating from the ground, the marble has suffered serious dilapidation and in some areas the marble is cracked and is dangerously about to give way. Intermittent attempts at clipping the falling marble in the past have proved futile. It is now no longer possible to postpone a major repair. The Rev. Archpriest Can. Joe Cilia has called in experts and the Curia Property Manager Mr Ray Bonnici. The first phase of the restoration will focus on the marble works of the four pilasters in the side chapels. Work will be entrusted to Architect Claude Busuttil. The estimated cost just for the four pilasters, announced by the Archpriest during a television interview, will be the phenomenal amount of € 120,000. The Archpriest admitted that for a small parish like Vittoriosa, this cost was prohibitive. He has not been discouraged and stated that through the generosity of the people and benefactors, the sum of € 30,000 has been collected, which covers the cost of one of the pilasters. It is to be observed that even the ceiling painting is badly in need of attention. A photograph showing the damaged decorations by Giuseppe Cali’ at the St Lawrence Church choir was features in Lehen is-Sewwa.

Priceless patrimony in peril
This is the title of a centre-page article in The Sunday Times of Mala by Lino Bugeja, pressing on the need for urgent and vital conservation of precious historical objects and artistic relics a St Lawrence Collegiate Church, Vittoriosa. He recalls how, as a young boy, he used to strut his way into Fort St Angelo every 8 September on the occasion of the Great Siege Victory commemoration when by way of concession by the naval authorities, the Fort was opened to the public. He then ponders of the destruction and damage caused by the war on Vittoriosa and in particular on the Church of St Lawrence. He believed that despite the post war good will, the repair works were hurriedly undertaken and insensitively patched up. He concludes with an appeal for a genuine effort for the preservation of this unique heritage assisted by European funds and institutions. The article is graced with beautiful colour picture of paintings from St Lawrence Church, including Mattia Preti’s largest canvas, The Martyrdom of St Lawrence.

Restoration works on the Post of Castille
The restoration of the land side fortifications of Vittoriosa is nearing completion as the high bastions around the Post of Auvergne and the Capuchin Gate in the Fortini area are gradually being uncovered with the scaffolding moving towards the Post of Castille. This part of the fortifications was in severe bad shape and was literally crumbling. The site was visited by George Pullicino, Minster for Rescources and Rural Affairs. The Minister stated that there is still more work to be done and he mentioned in particular the project for the paving of the Collacchio area.

Polemic about trees and fortifications
In an article in The Sunday Times of Malta, Giovanni Bonello, while lauding the masterly restoration of the Valletta fortifications expressed his opinion that trees that had been unthoughtfully planted in the past, are screening and interrupting the beauty and magnificence of the bastions. This was like stirring a hornet’s nest! The environmentalist came all out in defence of the trees. At Vittoriosa, it seems that Giovanni Bonello’s advice is being heeded: the unsightly trees masking the St James Cavalier have been removed. Likewise the misplaced trees along the walls of Fort St Angelo. The issue is how the tall trees in the ditch should be trimmed to open up the view of the bastions. The trees along the French Curtain also create problems for the Local Council who are constantly struggling to cut them to shape.

Question about the Grand Master’s correct name
As the Valletta City gate project and New Parliament Building takes shape, a monument has been unveiled at the square in the vicinity in honour of the Grand Master who founded the city of Valletta. The question arose whether the name on the statue should be Jean de la Valette, as he was commonly known, or Jean de Valette. The question arose following research carried out by historian and judge, Giovanni Bonello who emphatically affirms and provides documented evidence that it should be Jean de Valette. At Vittoriosa the Grand Master bequeathed his battle Hat and Sword at the end of the Great Siege to Our Lady of Damasence in the Greek Chapel. These are displayed in a stone niche built by Grand Master De Rohan who placed a marble plaque in which the Great Siege hero is referred to as Iohannes Valette. In the marble tablet on St Lawrence Church facade affixed in 1965 and scripted by the late Can. Dean Anton Zammit Gabaretta on the 400 th anniversary of the Great Siege, the reference is to Jean de Valette. One of the principal streets of Vittoriosa is called after him, but it is La Vallette Street.

Grade 1 national monuments at Vittoiosa
The national patrimony arm of MEPA, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, has in the past scheduled a number of historical buildings at Vittoriosa as Grade 1 national monuments, meaning that they are considered as national heritage and no development could be considered on such buildings. The scheduling is done by means of a Government Notice in the Government Gazette. In The Times of Malta, the buildings that have been place in such a category have been given publicity by MEPA is their weekly corner, accompanied by a photograph and a brief historical outline: the Auberge de France; the Auberge D’Auvergne et Provence; the Auberge d’Italie, or what’s left of it; the Auberge d’Allemagne, or merely its site; the Auberge de Castille et Portugal; the Auberge d’Angleterre; the Inquisitors’ Palace; the Siculo Norman building at 10-11 North Street. It is to be noted that such scheduling by MEPA materialized on the promptings of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society.

If you have it, flaunt it
This is the title of a commentary by Lino Bugeja in The Times of Malta. The thought came to him after the visit to Malta of a number of Oscar winning film stars and legendary directors in connection with the European Film Awards that this year was staged in Malta. One of the academic directors expressed his views about Europe’s cultural ethos and alluded to Malta’s heritage. The author feels that we should not delude ourselves into thinking that everybody is aware of our cultural patrimony. He says that the occurrence of such international events should provide an opportunity for us to parade our wares, bring to the fore some outstanding historical episodes that would light up the visitors imagination. He mentions as an example, the burning at the stake in Birgu Square of Gesualdo; the savagery of Maltese corsairing; the ghosts of Malta; the baroque extravaganza in Valletta and Mdina; the vicissitudes of the Great Siege.

Statue of The Scourging of Jesus
For this year’s edition of Notte Bianca at Valletta, one of the main attractions was an exhibition of a selection of Good Friday statues from various churches and oratories around Malta. The exhibition was held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and was coordinated by artist Aaron Camilleri Cauchi. From the Good Friday set of statues of St Lawrence Church, the highly emotive of The Scourging of Jesus, sculpted in wood by Salvu Psaila in 1834 was chosen and presented among the exhibits.

Processional statues in Malta
Historian and University lecturer Simon Mercieca makes a detailed and researched study in the annual 2012 Malta Folklore Society magazine L-Imnara of the development of religious devotions and cult and the appearance of processional statues in Malta. He believes that the revival of religious belief after the Norman Conquest of Malta in 1091 was greatly influenced by what was happening in nearby Sicily. He conjectures that the first processional statue could have been a statue of St Nicholas at Siggiewi. However, the cult of St Nicholas also existed at Medieval Birgu where a small chapel served a small Greek community and practised the Byzintine rite. With the arrival of the order of St John in 1530, the chapel was taken over by the Rhodites who accompanied the Order form Rhodes. It is worth noting that the first ever documented procession in Malta is at Vittoriosa in 1592 , a devotional pilgrimage around the streets of the city with a small statue of St Roque interceding his protection during an outbreak of pestilence – Vittoriosa was prone to such infections with its unavoidable contact with foreigners disembarking at the Marina Grande, as recorded by Mons. Duzina Pastoral Visit Report, quoted by Mons Vincent Borg in his authoritative book Melita Sacra.

Vittoriosa toponomy
In L-Imnara 2012 issue Anton Attard, Vice President of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society, ruminates about the placenames at Vittoriosa, some of which are still current while others are regretfully falling in oblivion. He recalls that St John’s Tower Street was Is-Sur tal-Kurdari, the long stretch of opening on the French Curtain used for the manufacture of ropes for the naval base at Birgu Wharf; Il-Mandragg, the site of ramshackle houses of the lower classes; It-Toqba, the opening in the Post of Allemagne leading to the sally port, through which the relief force from Sicily found its way into the besiege city of Birgu during the Great Siege; Il-Prexxa, recalling the breach in the bastions at the Post of Castille that the Turks managed to open without however penetrating during the Siege of 1565; Il-Abatija, the popular name for the former Sacra Infermeria of the Order after it was turned into a monastery of the Benedictine Nuns; Fuq il-Lunzjata, the high ground on the south side of Vittoriosa named after the medieval chapel of the Annunciation which in 1528 passed to the Domenican Friars.

Confraternities in Malta
In the same edition of L-Imnara, Lorenzo Zahra provides a study of the development of confraternities in Malta, the lay mutual societies and solidarities that sprung during the Middle Ages also known as guilds that sought to promote the spiritual needs of different craftsmen and traders. The article describes how they developed and were organised, each having their own councils and constitution, their holy vestments and rituals, their Oratory. Among the most popular and still extant are the confraternities of the Blessed Sacrament, of the Crucifix, of the Holy Rosary, of St Joseph. According to old tradition, the confraternity of St Joseph already existed at Birgu in 1103, probably making it the first known such entity in Malta.

Episcopal ordination of Mons. Charles Scicluna
Mons. Charles Scicluna, who had been serving as Promoter of Justice for the Sacred Congregation of Doctrine in the Vatican was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Malta. He is from Qormi and lived at Lija. After graduating doctor of law he had the vocation for the priesthood. He will be remembered as the postulator and promoter for the beatification and canonisation of Dun Gorg Preca, the first Maltese Saint. His episcopal ordination took place in a Solemn Pontifical Mass at St John’s Co Cathedral, Valletta, and was attended by 11 bishops and 2 cardinals, one of whom the Vittoriosa Cardinal, H.E. Prospero Grech.

Year of Faith inauguration
The Year of Faith inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI was ushered in at Vittoriosa with a special message from Rome, published in the parish bulletin for October 2012, from Cardinal Prospero Grech. After thanking the Vittoriosa community from the welcome reception that greeted him during his visit on St Lawrence Day, he urged the faithful to imitate St Lawrence in his love of God. The parish bulletin also follows up the sad news about the closure of the MUSEUM at Vittoriosa. The Archpriest, however, is undaunted and announced that Christine doctrine for boys and girls will now be the responsibility of the Parish Church and will be conducted at the former premises of the Carmelite School.

Joseph Adami passed away
MUSEUM member Joseph Adami from Vittoriosa, aimiably called Guzi, passed away at the age of 83. For many years he was superior at the Kalkara section of the Christian Doctine Society and it was through his efforts that the section built new premises. At Vittoriosa he worked hard to promote the interests of the elderly and was an active member of Caritas. After his retirement he was one of the volunteers who acted at Museum custodians on behalf of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society at the Vittoriosa Musuem at St Joseph Oratory. His funeral mass at St Lawrence Church was said by his brother Fr Emanuel Adami MSSP, accompanied by a numerous concelebrants.

Society for the Repose of Souls in Purgatory
This society saw its beginnings in 1926 at the Malta Dockyard on the initiative of a number of workers who were members of the MUSEUM. They used to invite Dun Gorg Preca to say Mass every month for the repose of souls in Purgatory, making a small monthly contribution for the purpose. The society eventually formulated its own statute which was approved by the ecclesiastical authorities. The society is still active and is administered by Gorg Agius from Vittoriosa, with Mons Paul Raggio as spiritual director. Joseph Adami, who has passed away, was for several years, one of the society’s promoters.

Church archives online
The Maltese church authorites move ahead with the times: a vast array of documents and manuscripts forming part of the Curia archives dating back to the 16th century have been digitalised and uploaded to a website for public use. The website, archives.maltadiocese.org included official documents such as pastoral visits, benefices, registers, diplomatic correspondence and cabrei (inventories). Significantly, the manuscripts are grouped in two archives, the Archivium Mater Dei and the Archivium Sante Laurenti.

Fr Paul Chetcuti SJ appointment
During the General Assembly of the Catholic Action in Malta, Fr Paul Chetcuti SJ from Vittoriosa was appointed Ecclesiastical Assistant for three years. In this role he will give spiritual direction to the Catholic Action movement in Malta and serve as a link with the church authorities. He has in the past served for a number of years as the Superior General of the Society of Jesus in Malta.

Fr Tony Mercieca interviewed
Fr Tony Mercieca is a missionary priest forming part of the Missionary Bothers of Charity of Mother Theresa. He has been doing missionary work for almost 40 years having worked in the poor hinterland of Palermo, Calcutta, Los Angeles, Paris, Stockholm. He is at present based in Haiti and Guatemala. This summer, he spent a short spell with his family at Vittoriosa for the feast of S Lawrence. Before returning, he gave an interview on his experiences in the programme Vuci Missjunarja on Radio Maria.

Centru Access at Vittoriosa
The social rehabilitiation centre at Vittoriosa, Centru Access, located at the former UK Military Bomb Depot opposite Vittoriosa St Roque Primary School, and run by the government social agency Sedqa, celebrated the 10th anniversary from its foundation. The Centre provides support for disabled persons, family and community services, social support, health screening, employment training. It hosts a child care centre and will now open a youth cafe’. A day-long entertainment programme was held for the occasion under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice, Dialogue and the Family.

Maltese boats
Maritime historian Joseph Muscat is featured in L-Imnara 2012 annual with a descriptive article on typical Maltese boats, most of which are no longer in use but which in past years plied across the harbour and the sea around Malta. Among these one mentions l-ixprunara, id-dghajsa tal-latini, il-kajjik, il-luzzu. He speaks with loving words about the princess of Maltese boats, il-frejgatina which was a cute pleasure boat, very popular in the Cottonera area. He says that he witnessed the construction of such a boat in the workshop of Karmenu Darmanin at Vittoriosa and was amazed at the intricacies that was involved.

St Lawrence Band September-October 2012 newsletter
This number of the newsletter understandably comments on the successful celebration of this year’s feast of the patron, Saint Lawrence, accompanied by various pictures of the occasion, including memories of Cardinal Prospero Grech’s visit to the Band Club. There is also a biography of the Band’s President, Lawrence V. Farrugia in commemoration of his 25th anniversary a President. It refers to various difficult issues that he had to face during the term as president including the change in the route of the St Lawrence procession and the dilemma posed by the government ban on the holding of feasts during weekdays which made it impossible to celebrate the 10 August, St Lawrence day, if it fell on a weekday. The Newsletter also carries a historical article about the passenger boat service that used to link the Vittoriosa with Valletta up to 50 years ago. He speaks with nostalgia about il-lanec tal-pass, as they were called, and narrates about the strong rivalry from the competitor dghajsa-owners, il-barklori, against their introduction in 1909.

International games at Vittoriosa Lawn Tennis Club
The Vittoriosa Lawn Tennis Club hosted the European under-16 tournament sponsored by financial services provider Nexia BT. The competition, staged in conjunction with the Malta Tennis Federation, attracted players from Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece and Cyprus as well as a good number of Russian and Ukrainian youngsters. The Maltese team comprised seven members. The Vittoriosa Lawn Tennis Club was founded in the 1970s by two British permanent residents, Steven Giles and Edward Ash, who lived an old palazzo at Vittoriosa and who became enamoured to the city’s history and culture.

Vittoriosa Bocci Club success
The Vittoriosa Bocci Club, whose premises are situated on the Post of Allemagne, won the fouth edition of the Chossi Super Cup. The Vittoriosa team had to face that from Paola. The final game was played at the Zurrieq pitch. With this win, the Vittoriosa Bocci Club has been crowned as this season’s champions.

Multi-period re-enactment at Verdala Palace
The Malta Military Re-enactment Federation organised an end-of-summer multi-period event at Verdala Palace Grounds, Buskett. The place was transformed into a battle scene spanning different ages and rulers who conquered Malta, complete with costumes, weapons and camp tents. There were scenes from the Roman, medieval, French and British epochs. Denis Darmanin, committee member of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society an ardent affiliate of the Re-enactment group, was among the participants.

In Guardia at Vittoriosa
The In Guardia parade is a re-enactment that portrays the events that took place regularly inside the fortifications of the Order of St John, including the inspection of the defences, the garrison review by the Grand Bailiff and the march-past. Some 55 actors take part, all in period uniforms and decked with military equipment. A falconry show forms part of the display. The fortnightly shows were until recently held at Fort St Elmo. As this is now under restoration, the show has been moved to Couvre Porte, Vittoriosa. With less frequency, the Alarme re-enactment will also be based at Vittoriosa; this gives the account of the French invasion of Malta and the ensuing Maltese uprising.

Vittoriosa Local Council provide e-gov services
The Vittoriosa Local Council was one of the first 15 local councils that launched e-government services for free from the council offices.

Vittoriosa – Belvi twinning agreement
As part of the CO-TO-GEN project financed by the EU under the Europe for Citizens programme, the Vittoriosa was twinned with the Sardinian village of Belvi. A group of Vittoriosa residents led by the Vittoriosa mayor visited Belvi and attended the signing ceremony which took place during a social and cultural evening with the participation of Sardinian talent.

Vittoriosa – Amalfi cooperation
Representives from the local councils of the two cities met to discuss common historical and cultural links. Various contacts points were outlined, mainly based on the historical tradition of the eight pointed cross which saw its origin in Amalfi as the heraldic emblem of the Knights of St John. It was merchants from Amalfi in 1048 who obtained from the Caliph of Egypt the permission to build in Jerusalem a church, convent and hospital to care for pilgrims to the Holy Land. This was how the Order St John came into being under the guidance of the Blessed Gerard.

University for the Three Cities
The University of Malta is in the process of setting up a resource centre in Cottonera aimed at reaching young people. As a first step a three day seminar was organised with the collaboration of the Local Councils of the Cottonera. One of the seminars was held at Vittoriosa Square, showcasing academic and social aspects of campus life. A forum for youths discussed topics involving youth issues. The debate was led by Prof Peter Majo and Dr Paul Bezzina. Media commentator and sociologist Mark Anthony Falzon who lives at Cottonera, while applauding the effort in his weekly column in The Sunday Times of Malta, implores for caution: he asserts that the problem in the Cottonera is not educational but one of mobility, caused by demographic shifts. The people who qualify tend to move away quickly from the area: they find the ambience claustrophobic and offputting.

Car-free day a Vittoriosa
Vittoriosa joined other localities in Malta and organised a car-free day on the initiative of the Vittoriosa Local Council and with the sponsorship of MEPA, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. During the day various outdoor sports and entertainment activities were held, including basketball and football, dancing and guitar playing. Slices of water-mellon were distributed, courtesy of the green-producer Frott Artna, at Vittrioriosa Square.

Old Photos of Birgu
The Vittoriosa Local Council is to be congratulated on the page that has been posted on the Local Council website carrying old photos of Vittoriosa.

Maltese history in 5D
A new attractive featuring the islands history in 5D cinema effect was inaugurated at Valletta on the occasion of the Notte Bianca. The multilingual show makes the viewers experience Malta in virtual reality, all with sound and other sensory effects. The audience in plunged in the midst of the Great Siege. Regretfully, the allusions to the city of Birgu and its historic importance are minimal.

Malta after AD870
The leading contribution in Melita Historica, journal of the Malta Historical Society, Vol.15, no.4, is by Godfrey Wettinger whose paper seems to aim to bring to a definitive conclusion his assertion that Malta after the Arab conquest in AD870 broke of the Christian tradition as has been hitherto maintained. He says that after that year Malta witnessed and outright ethnic break as the islands became uninhabited. He says that it was not until the late 10th century that Malta saw an influx of Muslim immigrants from Sicily. After Count Roger’s invasion in 1091, the Arab rulers remained in charge and it was only in 1127 that the Arabs were ousted by Roger II, Roger’s son.

HMS Illustrious back in Malta
The British naval aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious paid a five-day visit in Malta, coinciding with the visit to Malta of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. This is the successor of the same-named aircraft carrier that escorted supply convoys to Malta in World War II and which, afte having berthed at Parlatorio Wharf on 16 January 1941, attracted the savage onslaught of the German Lufwaffe on the Grand Harbour. The modern HMS Illustrious is twinned with the Three Cities and indeed its heraldic crest consists of three crossed symbolic trumpets. A special ceremony was held on board the vessel with the participation of the Local Councils from the Three Cities, Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea. Present for the occasion was Denis Darmanin, committee member, Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society.

Marine engineering software at Vittoriosa
Masec-XI, the Vittoriosa based marine software engineering firm plans to relocate sophisticated simulators from Norway which will be made available to international crews. The servers and equipment to be housed at the Old Treasury, Vittoriosa, will be used to train officers and seamen operating a wide range of vessels involved in high risk situations. The owners are confident that the superyachts that visit the Vittoriosa Marina will be able to examine and use the innovative marine technology they will provide.

Mro Emanuel Spagnol leads instrumental programme
The Nicolo’ Isouard Band of Mosta performed its annual foundation musical programme at the University of Malta Auditorium under the baton of Mro Spagnol. The programme included the Beethoven’s Egmont overture, excerpts from Verdi’s Il Trovatore and a Tribute to Gershwin. Mro Spagnol hails from Vittoriosa.

Sir Paul Boffa biography
Desmond Zammit Marmara’s biography of Sir Paul Boffa, published in 2010 in Maltese, has been translated and published in English. He played a key role in the history of Malta and was the mouthpiece of the Labour Party from the early days in the 1920s until 1950. He was born in Vittoriosa in 1890 of religious and hard-working parents. He studied medicine and qualified as a doctor and began to practise in 1913. He joined the workers movement and took a leading role in developing the Labour Party’s early beginnings and was elected Prime Minister in 1947. His job was no easy one as post-war Britain was impoverished. He was then eclipsed as leader by the energetic and fiery upstart, Dom Mintoff. This led to his resignation and was ousted from the Party.

Recreational zone around Vittoriosa
Lino Bugeja in a commentary in The Times of Malta says that the rehabilitation of the land-front ditch and the decaying bastions that girdle the walled city of Vittoriosa from Couvre Porte to Kalkara is a laudable initiative that will elevate the quality of life in the Three Cities. He suggests that the ditch, previously known as Coronation Garden could be turned into a recreational space for children and youths and where sports could be practised, typically, mini-basketball, cycling, bocci.

Kercem visitors at Vittoriosa
The Kercem Local Council accompanied by the Kercem major paid a cultural visit to Vittoriosa.

Great Siege exhibition
The Maritime Museum, situated within the former British Naval Bakery in Vittoriosa, charts Malta’s maritime history within the Mediterranean context and illustrates the global nature of seafaring and its impact on society. The Maritime Museum this year staged an exhibition featuring weaponry and armoury from the Great Siege period and several artefacts reflecting the days Fort St Angelo served as British naval base and was called HMS St Angelo, just like a battleship.

Laurence Mizzi’s Hsad fil-Harifa
Vittoriosa-born Laurence Mizzi’s latest book Hsad fil-Harifa is a collection of poems and novels published by Klabb Kotba Maltin. Mizzi is now working on the publication of a new bookto be entitles Mill-Arkivju ta’ Hajti as it will give light to letters and correspondence from the author with a wide range of personalities, both Maltese and foreign, spanning some 60 years of experience in broadcasting, literature and religious media.

Martin Morana’s Ara X’Int Tghid
After last year’s launch of his book Bejn Kliem u Storja, this year Marin Morana regales us with a new publication, printed at BestPrint, Ara X’Int Tghid. It is a continuation of the glossary of terms and historical anecdotes found in the first book and is likewise accompanied by sketches and photographs. It makes a magnificent encyclopedia of old Maltese words and traditions, idioms and sayings, legends and folklore.

The Art of Dying Well in Baroque Malta
This was the subject of a public lecture delivered by Prof. Frans Ciappara at the Inquisitors Palace, Vittoriosa, organised by the University of Malta’s International Institute for Baroque Studies and sponsored by Heritage Malta. Musical accompaniment on the violoncello was provided. The Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society was represented in the presentation by Anton Attard, Vice President.

Emanuele Buhagiar 1876-1962
The Malta Historical Society organised a public lecture at the Church of Santa Caterina d’Italia by Mr. Mark Sagona, from the Department of History of Art at the University of Malta on Emanuele Buhagiar, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his death. Born at Vittoriosa, Emanuele Buhagiar became a prolific master of the decorative arts. His family lived in Irish Street and he attended the Scuola del Disegno run by Giuseppe Cardona at Vittoriosa. In 1898 got married to Ersilia Cali’, niece of the great painter Giuseppe Cali’. He stayed at Vittoriosa till 1906 and then went to live at Tarxien. He was a superb exponent of that tradition of designers, carvers, decorators that thrived at Vittoriosa since the time of the Knights. He is well known for the great artistic artefacs he produced for innumerable churches around Malta: antependiums, pedestals, plinths, church vestments, awnings, organ lofts, etc. At Vittoriosa, the St Lawrence band clubs boasts the artistic musical archives as his handwork. Prof. Mario Buhagiar, the Dean of the Faculty of History of Art, is his grandson. The lecture was attended by Lorenzo Zahra, Secretary, Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society.

St Lawrence Band November-December 2012 newsletter
The editorial to this issue announces the commencement of a refurbishment project of the Band Club’s bar aimed at converting it into a first class restaurant run on professional lines. The Band Committee has teamed with an entrepreneur who will also finance the reconstruction and modernisation works and the acquisition of the equipment. The Club also announced and published designs of a new conductor’s lectern to form part of the artistic bandstand which is mounted at Vittoriosa Square for St Lawrence feast. The historical section of the newsletter carried two articles: one by Anton Attard on artistic works at Mosta by artists from Vittoriosa, notably the Antonio Agius masterpiece, the Gilded Hearse for Jesus for the Good Friday procession; another by Lorenzo Zahra on friendly and cultural associations at Vittoriosa in past years, with special mention of the Literary and Scientific Society whose premises where in St George’s Street. The biographical interview of the newsletter is this time with Eugenio Pellicano, who has been a committee member of the Club for the most part of 30 years. He runs the Club’s lotto shop.

Christmas at Vittoriosa
The Vittoriosa Local Council, as in previous years, took the initiative to decorate main Gate Street and Vittoriosa Square with Christmas lighting. A large mechanised crib was put on show at the Auberge de France, the Council’s offices for the duration of the festivities. The Local Council organised a party of all Vittoriosa children aged 3-10 years. The traditional Christmas Eve procession with the statue of Baby Jesus was held, with the accompaniment of a group of bandsmen from St Lawrence band. The Archbishop paid a visit to the Benedictine nuns of St Scholastica in their monastery. This year’s theme song for L-Istrina, the national fund raising initiative by the President’s Commnity Chest Fund, entitled Stay with me, was recorded in Palazzo Vittoriosa in Hilda Tabone Street. The song was sung by well known singers under the direction of Steve Compagno. Palazzo Vittoriosa is a magnificent house of character turned into a boutique hotel. The main highlight of Christmas festivities at Vittoriosa was the Christmas Concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra at St Lawrence Parish Church, with the participation of the Jubilate Deo Choir. The orchestra was conducted by Mro. Christopher Muscat. The programme included various carols and an original cantata written by the conductor. The Rev. Archpriest Can. Joe Cilia thanked the orchestra and choir for the brilliant performance and remarked that he remembered Mro. Muscat as an alter boy assisting him at Mass at Mosta church.

Santa Barbara
RAITV I screened a feature film on the life of Saint Barbara on her feast day, 4 December. It should be recalled that an ancient confraternity of Saint Barbara existed at Birgu in the 15th century, based at the Annunciation Church. The confraternity eventually transferred its office to the Church of Saint Barbara in Valletta belonging to the Langue of Provence. Saint Barbara was prayed to intercede against peril from lightening and thunderstorm and was venerated a patron of the artillery and bombardiers.

Errata corrige:
The news item captioned: Censu Demanuele passed away published in the Jul-Aug 2012 edition of NEWS should have been Censu Demanuele’s mother passed away and all references in the report should have been to her demise. The error is regretted and here is our sincere wishes for Mr Censu Demanuele.