News
Jan - Mar 2011
www.vittoriosahistorica.org
70th anniversary of the fateful HMS Illustrious air raid
Emigrants & Refugees Sunday
Artist Carlo Darmanin biography
St John Ambulance Cottonera Division
Malta at War Museum at Vittoriosa
Vittoriosa Wharf embellishment
Old Confraternity of St Joseph
Stairs to Vittoriosa Wharf to be re-opened
End of Can. Joe Caruana’s term as Vittoriosa Archpriest
Another sad news: closure of MUSEUM Qasam XIX
Fort St Angelo’s still in a pitiful state
Life at Sea at Malta Maritime Museum
Soprano Miriam Gauci awarded Gold Medal
Scale Model Exhibition at Maritime Museum
Essay on the sacred icon of Our Lady of Damascus
Article on model churches
St Lawrence Band January-February 2011 newsletter
Fr. Joseph Cilia named new Archpriest for Vittoriosa
Vittoriosa Mayor’s meeting with St Roque primary school council
Presentation of sports certificates
The epic of Thomas McSweeney remembered
Lazzaro Pisani’s Apotheosis of St Dominic
Vincenzo Anfossi Maestro di Cappella at St Lawrence Church
Altarboys assemby
Can. Anton Zammit Gabaretta remembered
Annual Musical Concert by the St Lawrence Band
Vodafone at Vittoriosa
Novelist and writer Joseph Attard passed away
70th anniversary of the fateful HMS Illustrious air raid
This year marked the 70th anniversary of the deadful and ruthless air raid on the Grand Harbour which ushering in the cruel reality of World War II in Malta. It was the 16 January 1941 when a massive pack of divebomber Stukas, freshly arrived from Norway, opened a ferocious attack on Malta, intent on neutralising it. HMS Illustrious had a few days earlier limped back into Grand Harbour and was berthed at parlarorio Wharf, badly damaged; it was the target of the Axis blitz. That was a sad day for Vittoriosa: 33 people were entombed in the sacristy of the historic Parish Church of St Lawrence which received a direct hit. Other loss of lives was suffered in Senglea and Cospicua. Every year the Vittoriosa community marked this special event with a ceremony of remembrance at the foot of the War Memorial on the St Lawrence Church Paris. This year’s speeh was made by Mr Lawrence Mizzi, who hails from Vittoriosa and who is himself a war chronicler. Another fitting memento of this epic was made by Mr Lino Bugeja is a leading article in The Sunday Times of Malta. He emphasises that this event marked a histroical turning-point: the mass exodus of people from the Cottonera into the villages shattered the closely-knit social fabric of the Cottonera. By coincidence, in the website of the Copyright British Pathe’ which broadcasts original unpublished war videos from the British war archives, a hitherto unreleased 2 ½ minute film was placed on the website entirely with scenes from wartime Vittoriosa, depicting, among the damage and destruction, the spectacular ruins of the ancient Clock Tower in Vittoriosa Square, and naves of the Annunciation Church hanging oddly and about to crumble. Also shown are pictures of the refugees and their despicable living conditions in the ditches.
Emigrants & Refugees Sunday
The third Sunday in January is Emigrants & Refugees Sunday. RAI UNO broadcast the usual Sunday Mass that morning from the old Cathedral of St Lawrence in Genova. The Solemn Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Genova, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. Member in the Congregation of Divine Worship in the Roman Curia at the Vatican, assisted by seminarians from Genova and animated by a choir made up of emigrants and refugees from that port-city. The Cathedral Museum known as the Museo del Tesoro possesses two important relics: a remnant from the chain which held St Lawrence to the gridiron during his martyrdom, and the sacred paten which is purported to be the one used by Christ during the Last Supper.
Artist Carlo Darmanin biography
Recently published by authors Stanley Mangion and Christopher Magro, the life and achievements of Carlo Darmanin (1825-1909) documents the memory of this well known Maltese statue-maker. Born in Senglea, he became famous for his masterful statues in papier-mache. His statues have life-like expressions and unassuming postures and not too elaborate. He contributed in the development of popular religious art and his fine works are found in many churches in Malta and Gozo. Of notable significance is the Good Friday set of statues at Mosta. At Vittoriosa, he is remembered for his devote statue of the Redeemer. Some of the statues used for street decorations during the feast of St Lawrence, eg. Pope Urbanus II and the Deacon St Philip, are attributed to him.
St John Ambulance Cottonera Division
As reported in The Sunday Times of Malta, Fifty Years Ago Column, in January 1961 the Cottonera Division of St John Ambulance Brigade, which was still active at the time and operated from its HQ at Couvre Porte, Vittoriosa, celebrated its Golden Jubilee, having been established in 1911. A Certificate for the occasion was presented by the Commisioner to the Superintendent and Divisional Surgeon, Dr Joseph Saliba MD, who passed away in November 2010. Had the Division survived, it would this year be celebrating its centinary.
Malta at War Museum at Vittoriosa
This has become a popular attraction for both tourists and local visitors. It is professionally managed by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. The latter has now undertaken works for he refurbishment of the museum, involving the rehabilitation of the lower grounds and expansion of the exhibition space. For this purpose, funds are being sought from the European Regional Development Fund.
Vittoriosa Wharf embellishment
Also with EU assistance from the European Regional Development Fund, work has started on the re-construction and embellishment of the southern side of Vittoriosa Wharf, the innermost part of the the Dockyard Creek beyond the Birgu Yacht Marina. This area served mainly as the berthing place of the Admiralty minesweepers and submarines when the wharf was occupied by the Royal Navy. During the Order’s time the area was covered by a garden and was sheltered by a bastion which defended the Order’s Fleet base. In 1806 the area was ravaged by a massive explosion which killed some 70 people, servicemen and civilians and the place became known as “l-Imgarraf”. Until some time ago the wharf was being used as a car-park. It will now be turned into an open space for use by the public and will be joined with a similar project under way at Cospicua in the vicinity of Dock No. 1. The work was temporarily stalled because while digging trenches, old pavings and flagstones were discovered.
Old Confraternity of St Joseph
Issue N.42 Anno XI of the magazine in Italian Confraternite Oggi, published by Associazione Amici di Confraternite Oggi, Roma, carries a short article by Lorenzo Zahra, the Society’s Secretary and Archivist of the Archbishop’s Curia, about confraternites in Malta. He mentions the earliest known confraternity in Malta, that dedicated to St Joseph instituted in 1103 in the Citta’ del Castello. The castle with its garrison defended the entrance to the harbour and the principal port town, Birgu. In the castle itself there exisited another ancient confraternity by the name of the Blessed Virgin.
Stairs to Vittoriosa Wharf to be re-opened
At the same time as this embellishment project is under way, the Cottonera Waterfront Consortium is also carrying on with the reconstrction and restoration of the Order’s palaces along Birgu wharf. It was announced that MEPA, the planning authority, had insisted on the re-opening the public steps that used to join Vittoriosa Wharf with St Lawrence Street. For some reason, these had been blocked and an iron gate had been installed. The obstruction has now been removed and the steps will now give pedestrian access to the wharf – an access to which the public had been denied since colonial times.
End of Can. Joe Caruana’s term as Vittoriosa Archpriest
In January 2011 it was announced that Can. Joe Caruana’s term as Archpriest of Vittoriosa and of St Lawrence Collegiate Church had come to an end. He has been Archpriest for the past 9 years and succeeded Can. Stefan Bonanno. During his period in office he continued to sustain the various Vittoriosa religious traditions and will be mostly remembered for the extensive celebrations held in 2008 to mark the 1750th anniversary of St Lawrence Martyrdom, which event was likewise celebrated in Rome with the Pope’s participation. During his term of office the two church belfies were restored. A Solemn Mass of thanksgiving was held at St Lawrence Church with the participation of the Collegiate Chapter and Vittoriosa parishioners. The Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society paid homage to Can. Joe Caruana and thanked him during the 2011 Annual Luncheon when he was special guest. Can. Joe Caruana will take up appointment as Parish Priest of his native village, Mellieha.
Another sad news: closure of MUSEUM Qasam XIX
It is sad to record the demise of the Vittoriosa Males Branch or Qasam XIX of the Society of Christian Docrtine, the Museum, founded by Dun Gorg Preca. This occurs exactly on the 90th anniversary of its foundation and is the inevitable result of demographical changes taking place with a fast rapidity in the Grand Harbour area. The Birgu population is on the decline with a drop of almost 15% to 2,300 in the past 10 years. It is an aging population with most young families setting up home elsewhere. The Museum is now organising collective Christian doctrine sessions for children from the Cottonera in other centres. The premisies of the Vittoriosa Museum at no. 8, Triq il-Kunsill Popolari, still stands as a memorial to the various kind and selfless gentleman who as dedicated their life as members of the Museum for the teaching for cathecism to children and young men. The epic is related in detail in the book entitled Ghajn ta’ Gid li Ssaqqi Belt, issues in 2001 by Anton Attard, Vice President of the Vittoriosa Histrical & Cultural Society and one-time ardent member of the Musuem. It is gratifying to note that, with no small effort, the Vittoriosa Female Branch of the Museum is still active, though it seems that its days are counted.
Fort St Angelo’s still in a pitiful state
Despite the commencement of repair and restoration works on Fort St Angelo in January 2010 following the caving-in some time earlier of one of the bastion ramparts through neglect, nothing much seems to have been done after one year. It was reported in a headline news on Gensillum website that Heritage Malta, the state organisation responsible for the national patrimony and in particular for the works at Fort St Angelo, had not even applied for the EU Structural Funds earmarked for this purpose from the European Regional Development Fund. By contrast, the rehabilitaion of the Palace of the Galley Captains and the contraction of the Casino di Venezia Hotel, both along Vittoriosa Marina, and both entrusted to the private sector, had progressed rapidly durin the last three months of 2010.
Life at Sea at Malta Maritime Museum
Heritage Malta again organized a Life at Sea family event at the Malta Maritime Museum at Vittoriosa. This year’s edition focused on life at sea throughout the ages, with re-enactments of maritime life in Malta between the 16th and 19th centuries. Participants relived the experiences at sea of sailors and passengers, including the food and beverages consumed at the time, and the maritime lifestyle as documented in various diaries of the epoch. Other activities included the firing of cannon and muskets, military drills, boat-model building, and the screening of an exclusive footage of underwater wrecks.
Soprano Miriam Gauci awarded Gold Medal
Vittoriosa-born soprano Miriam Gauci received the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce 2010 Gold Medal in recognition of her outstanding career in the internationl field of operatic music. The honour was presented to her by President George Abela during a ceremony at Casino Maltese, Valletta. Miriam Gauci has followed on the success of her aunt, also from Vittoriosa, Hilda Portelli who has a left an indelible memory as a brilliant classical music singer.
Scale Model Exhibition at Maritime Museum
On the occasion of its 30th anniversary the Malta Branch of IPMS, the International Plastic Modellers Society, put up a magnificanet three day exhibition at the Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa. Participating members were represented by a wide range of models patiently assembled by them: civil and military aircraft, armoured vehicles, various classes of ships from different eras and scenarios, figurines of soldiers and armaments. The exhibits included models which have won awards and placed well in international model competitions.
Essay on the sacred icon of Our Lady of Damascus
Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott has publishes a booklet entitled A Meditation on the Icon of Our Lady of Damascus. The author gives a detailed look at the history of this sacred icon, makes a profound artisitic appreciation of this iconographic treasure, and delves into deep recolletion on the spiritual qualities of the icon. This 12th century icon, consisting of tempera on wood, represents our Lady and the Child Jesus and is venerated at the Greek Catholic Church, Valletta. It was recently restored. It is so called because it was believed it originated in Damascu. It was brought to Malta from Rhodes by the Knights in 1530 and was installed in the church of St Catherine, close to St Lawrence Conventual Church at Birgu. In 1587 it was moved to Valletta in the orginal Greek church. The icon was encrowed in 1931 by the Bishop of Malta, Mons Mauro Caruana, on the occasion of the XV centinary of the Council of Ephesus. Among the sources quoted by the author are the Vittoriosa historians Can. A. Zammit Gabaretta and G. Porsella Flores.
Article on model churches
Anton Spiteri wrote an article in Il-Hajja f’Ghawdex of January 2011on his childtime passtime of playing with his model church. Among the picture accompanying the article is one of a model church dedicted to St Lawrence with the main altar beatifully decorated and flanked by a miniature statue of St Lawrence on it silver pedestal and plinth, a faithful image of that of St Lawrence Church, Vittoriosa. This was a popular hobby also at Vittoriosa and boys and young men would enjoy embellishing their churches, saying mass and organising processions. Two sizeable and fully-equipped St Lawrence churches at Vittoriosa which stood out among the others until some years ago were those owned by Anton Calleja and Pawlu Azzopardi, respectively.
St Lawrence Band January-February 2011 newsletter
This edition, no. 61, marked the 10th anniversary from the first issue of the newsletter. The improvements that the newsletter has witnessed in the years since its inception are borne out in an interview with the editor, Simon Farrugia, who explains how it expanded from a 4-page photocopied bulletin to a 16-page printed magazine. He said that this is an important communication medium for the Vittoriosa Band, along with its revamped website [ www.stlawrencebandclub.com ]. This issue is a special one featuring the Band’s historic and successful tour to Belgium last year and descibes the various musical programmes executed in different locations, among with the one at Dar Malta. This issue also carries an obituary written by George Cilia on Mons. Nikol Cauchi, appointed Bishop of Gozo in July 1972 and passed away in November 2010. Mons. Cauchi was an admirer and devotee of St Lawrence. He delivered the panegyric on St Lawrence Day at Vittoriosa in 1968, a year after his nomination as Bishop of Gozo. Then in 2008, on the occasion of the 1750 anniversary of St Lawrence Martyrdom, he wrote the lyrics for the Oratorio Laurentius, to the musical score by Mro. John Galea, which was first performed at San Lawrenz Parish Church, Gozo, and repeated at St Lawrence Collegiate, Vittoriosa.
Fr. Joseph Cilia named new Archpriest for Vittoriosa
The Archbishop appointed Fr Joseph Cilia as new Vittoriosa Archpriest. He hails from Mosta and was ordained priest in 2001. During the last 5 years he has been serving as parish priest of Hal Safi. Although not yet officially installed, he is already familiarising with the Birgu comminity. He even visited the Vittoriosa Parish Museum at St Joseph Oratory, curated by the Vittoriosa Histroical & Cultural Society. In accordance with the practice since its inception, the Society will designate the new Parish Priest as Honorary President.
Vittoriosa Mayor’s meeting with St Roque primary school council
The Student council of the St Roque primary school, which forms part of St Margaret’s College, had a meeting with Mr John Boxall, Vittoriosa Mayor, at the new offices of the Local Council in the Auberge de France. This was the first such meeting in which cooperation between the school and the Local Council were discussed, including the organisiation of a joint annual sports event.. The Mayor then took a number of pupils from the school who accompanied the school council to a tour of the Auberge de France which is being expertly restored.
Presentation of sports certificates
The Hon. Clyde Puli, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sports presented certificates to Local Councils taking part in the Local Councils Sports Scheme 2011. The presentation was held at St Roque school, Vittoriosa. The Vittoriosa Local Council is participating in this scheme for the third consecutive year. It should be noted that with the initiative of the Vittoriosa Local Council, a new basketball pitch is being constructed at the Lorenzo Gafa’ School, also forming part of St Margaret’s College.
The epic of Thomas McSweeney remembered
Thomas McSweeney was an Irish Catholic sailor sering in the Royal Navy. He was executed in the Grand Harbour in 1837 accused of manslaughter is buried in St Lawrence Cemetery, Vittoriosa. A cult flourished around his memory as it was rumoured that he was unjustly sentenced. The episode found its was in an article in the Irish Times and a number of other Irish newspapers, prompted by a Vittoriosa chef, David Darmanin, who put up a dinner to commemorate the event in his Vittoriosa restaurant, Taverna Sugu, on St Patrick Day.
Lazzaro Pisani’s Apotheosis of St Dominic
Mark Segona is featured in Treasures of Malta, no. 49, with a detailed study on Giuseppe Cali’ largest canvas and the ceiling decoration of St Francis Church Valletta. He emphasises the bitter contest of the Maltese artist with his Italian rival, Palombi. However, Cali’ had also to contend with a Maltese contemporary, who was no less gifted than he: Lazzaro Pisani. The author describes how the latter had won a major commission fon the Vittoriosa Dominicans to decorate the nave vault of the Annunciation Church. The Apotheosis of St Dominic was one of Lisani’s ambitions inventions, a huge central canvas spanning the whole church vault. Unfortunately, the painting was destined to perish in World War II.
Vincenzo Anfossi Maestro di Cappella at St Lawrence Church
Treasures of Malta, no. 49 carries an article by Simon Mercieca on Italian musicians in Malta in the late 18th century. Among these he mentions Vincenzo Anfossi who was a renouned Neapolitan composer who was engaged by the Order to conduct and compose music for the Manoel Theatre. His works were also played at St John’s Conventual Church and other churches of the Order. Among his students and assistents were Nicolo’ Isouard and Emanuele Nani. It is also recorded that around 1791 he was Maestro di Cappella at St Lawrence Church, Vittoriosa.
Altarboys assemby
The Domenican Maltese Province organised a day of recollection and prayer of altarboys from Domecican friaries in Malta on the occasion of the start of the Lent. It was held at the Church of Our Lady of the Grotto at the Rabat Priory. It was attended by a contingent of altarboys from the Church of the Annunciation, Vittoriosa.
Can. Anton Zammit Gabaretta remembered
Mons. Philip Calleja periodically contributes auto-biographical pieces with a running commentary in Lehen is-Sewwa. In a recent article he dwells on the beauty of nature with the approach of spring. He ends the article by recalling an episode of some 60 years ago when he was still a seminarian. He teamed with one of his collegue, Anton Zammit Gabaretta, to read the Breviary. At the point they recited the Canticle from the Book of Daniel (3, 57-89): Praise the Lord all creation, the latter would raise his voice in a cresendo each time it was his turn to read. Can. Anton Zammit Gabaretta eventually was appointed Librarian of the National Library and Canon Theologian of the St Lawrence Collegiate Chapter. He was also for many years an inspiration to the Vittoriosa Histroical & Cultural Society in his capacity as President.
Annual Musical Concert by the St Lawrence Band
The St Lawrence Band presented its annual concert at Caraffa Halls on the Vittoriosa Waterfront. The event was attended by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi and the Mayor of Vittoriosa, Mr John Boxall. The programme included a mix of classic and modern selections. The first part of the programme included magnificent symphonies and cantatas such as Monti’s La Gzardas, Giumarra’s Alba d’Amore and Orff’s Carmine Burana. These contrasted with medleys from Witney Houston’s and Steve Wonder’s repertoire. The programme was directed by Mro. Paul Schembri though Assistant Director Mro Ugo Buhagiar also had the occasion to lead the Band.
Vodafone at Vittoriosa
Vodafone Malta held a mobile advertising seminar which brought together over 200 marketers, managers and media owners ta the Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa. This was not the first occasion that Vodafone selected Birgu as venue for its activities: last Christmas they organised a special event for the media at the Lupinara Restaurant, close of Fort St Angelo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their presence in Malta.
Novelist and writer Joseph Attard passed away
Mr Joseph Attard was born at Vittoriosa and received his education at the Lyceum and the University of Malta. He had a brilliant career in the Civil Service where he specialised in labour and industrial relations. But he cultivated since his early years the art of writing, first venturing out into freelance journalism and story-writing in the English press and then moving on to writing novels. He excelled in the writing of English and made contacts with renowned international publishing houses to print his books. He also write historical books. Mr Attard lived at Vittoriosa for many years and where he is also remembered as forming part of Mro. Galea’s choir at St Lawrence Church during the sixties. Mr Attard has been a member of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society for many years and he awarded complimentary copies of his books to the Society. He is mourned by his beloved wife and children.