Historic Exhibition of St John’s Co-Cathedral Tapestries launched

May 5 2023

‘A Gift of Glory’ – the exhibition of the St John’s Co-Cathedral majestic tapestries which were a gift of Grand Master Ramon Perellos, was launched this morning. This exhibition marks the culmination of a 16-year project of conservation and restoration, ensuring that these magnificent tapestries will be preserved for future generations.

The Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government Owen Bonnici said that these tapestries, with their intricate designs and rich colours, are a true “Gift of Glory” as they represent the pinnacle of artistic and cultural achievement, serving as a reminder of the power of art and culture to inspire, uplift, and transform. Minister Bonnici emphasized the exhibition’s touristic and cultural significance for Europe as a whole, inviting the Maltese public to visit and appreciate the tapestries’ beauty.

Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna highlighted the tapestries’ significance as a significant artefact of faith towards the Catholic Church, which can still be appreciated today.

The President of the Foundation, Mgr Prof. Emmanuel Agius, mentioned that this restoration and conservation project which cost 1.3 million euro, funded by The Foundation, gave new life to this extraordinary temple and transformed it into a unique celebration of art and culture. The President expressed his gratitude towards all the Foundation’s employees who were present during the launch and thanked them for their hard work and dedication which contributed to the project’s success.

The set of tapestries was commissioned by the Grand Master of the Knights of St John, Frà Ramon Perellos y Roccafull, between 1697 and 1702. These magnificent tapestries display episodes from the Life of Christ and the Triumph of the Catholic Church. The set was sent to Belgium since 2006 and restored by the Royal Manufacturers De Wit Laboratories where the project was finalised in 2022. The majority of the tapestries measure 6.2 x 6.5m making this set of 750m2 the largest antique set in the world.

The exhibition will run till 24 June, and visitors are encouraged to experience the cultural and historical value of the tapestries first-hand.

During the Exhibition Launch, an agreement was signed between The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation and Alfred Mizzi Foundation, with a €250,000 donation for the embellishment of the Tapestries Hall of the New Museum to be ready in the coming years.

The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation is grateful to everyone who contributed to the project’s success and invites visitors to witness the beauty of the tapestries. For more information, please contact the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation at +356 21220571 or visit www.stjohnscocathedral.com.

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Games of Small States of Europe opening ceremony details announced

May 5 2023

With less than a month to go for the start of the XIX Games of the Small States of Europe, the Maltese Olympic Committee hosted a press briefing presenting the latest updates in the run up to the Games.

The Games of the Small States of Europe are one of the largest events to be hosted in Malta in the last twenty years. Preparation, with a strong attention to detail, for this event has taken several years, and Malta will be prepared to deliver the best possible result from a technical and organisational perspective.

It was announced, that Team Malta will be not be staying with the rest of the international delegations but will be staying at the Urban Valley Resort and Spa. The decision to keep Maltese athletes separate was to ensure that they have the right environment to focus and concentrate on their competitions. This was announced by Shawn Muscat, General Manager of the Resort.

Furthermore it was announced that the national TV broadcaster – Public Broadcasting Services will be co-ordinating with other TV Stations and Media houses to give the best and widest possible coverage to the public. This will entail bringing all available technical resources together to share footage, content and stories. The Games are also expecting a strong influx of international journalists which will give the Games and Malta substantial international exposure. To this effect two media centres will be setup in the National Pool Complex and in the newly built Gymnastics centre in Marsa. Furthermore all venues will have media rooms which will enable accredited media to have comfortable workspace.

“We have always had a good relationship with the media and they can rest assured of our co-operation. We are an open book. The only thing we ask of journalists is to allow athletes to focus on achieving the desired results” remarked Mark Cutajar, Chairperson, Local Organising Committee”

It was also announced that the Opening Ceremony will take place on Monday 29th May at 2045hrs at the Granaries in Floriana. The event will be of a high level that will be broadcast live in all GSSE countries and will showcase the beauty and hospitable nature Malta is renowned for, and where athletes will be the centre of attention.

MOC President Julian Pace Bonello expressed this gratitude towards members of the media for supporting the Games. Important for various reasons especially our country where we will have the opportunity to welcome a substantial number of international guests. It will be a great opportunity for them to experience Maltese hospitality and where communities will be brought together to support Team Malta to encourage them to the best they can be.

Minister Clifton Grima spoke about the enthusiasm that exists not only amongst athletes, but also within the Organizing Committee who have been working on these Games ever since Malta was announced as the 2023 Games host.

“The response from my international colleagues – Ministers responsible for Sport from the small states of Europe, has been excellent. They are looking forward to be amongst us, and the enthusiasm is significant especially since during the pandemic this event did not take place. Our country will meet all expectations, because the work that has been done and which is currently at its culmination will give the expected results”, said Minister Grima.

The XIX Games of the Small States of Europe are being supported by SportMalta, NDSF, Welbee’s Supermarket, National Lottery, MITA, General Soft Drinks, Visit Malta, European Olympic Committees, Go, Enemed, BOV, Transport Malta, Malta International Airport and The Concept Stadium.

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Malta will experience a significant problem with hornets this summer

May 5 2023

The warm summer months in Malta are usually a time for enjoyment and relaxation. However, this year, residents of Malta may have to deal with a more significant problem with hornets than usual. According to pest expert, Arnold Sciberras ‘The Exterminator’, Malta will experience a significant problem with hornets this summer.

Arnold Sciberras has confirmed with Malta Daily that Malta will see more hornets when compared to last summer. This is because more hornet queens are breeding, which will lead to larger nests and more hornets around the islands. The increase in hornets could pose a significant risk to people and pets, especially those who are allergic to insect stings.

When asked what to do if stung by a hornet, ‘The Exterminator’ recommends that you immediately cool the area and seek medical help. In some cases, a hornet sting can cause severe allergic reactions that require emergency medical attention.

To avoid getting hornets close to you or your home, there are some things you can do. First, maintain proper hygiene by keeping your surroundings clean and free of food debris. Hornets are attracted to sweet and savoury smells, so it’s essential to properly discard of cat/dog food and close waste bags, especially ones that have any type of protein in them. Additionally, keep your windows closed to prevent hornets from entering your home. If you notice a hornet nest on your property, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Always seek professional help, as hornets can be very aggressive and may attack if they feel threatened.

In conclusion, the increase in hornets this summer is a cause for concern for residents of Malta. It’s essential to take the necessary precautions to prevent hornets from entering your home and to seek professional help if you notice a hornet nest on your property. By staying informed and taking the appropriate measures, we can minimise the risk of hornet stings and enjoy a safe and relaxing summer in Malta.

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The Busker will perform at the Legendary Cavern club in Liverpool

May 5 2023

The Busker are currently in Liverpool preparing for next week’s Eurovision Semi-final.

On Tuesday, they will be representing Malta with ‘Dance – (Our Own Party)’, but tonight they will be performing at the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool.

The Cavern Club opened in 1957 as a jazz club, later becoming a centre of the rock and roll scene in Liverpool in the late 50s and early 1960s.

The club became closely associated with Merseybeat and regularly played host to the Beatles in their early years.

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