September, 2007

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28
Sep 07

Caravaggio A Visionary And Great Artist

CARAVAGGIO400 aims at celebrating Caravaggio’s presence in Malta through a number of coordinated events and initiatives over 2007 and 2008. Caravaggio400 is an umbrella term under which organisations have been invited to organise Caravaggio related events.

Each institution will be responsible for its own particular event, but the entire programme will be presented as a National Programme. The programme includes, among others, the issue of commemorative silver ingot and a commemorative coin, lectures and seminars by various international experts on the theme of Caravaggio, restoration projects by Caravaggio Foundation and Heritage Malta, an exhibition of representations in salt of six Caravaggio paintings on the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, an exhibition on Caravaggio and Caravaggisti, and an issue of commemorative stamps.

The institutions involved in organising such initiatives include St John’s Foundation, Heritage Malta, University of Malta, Lombard Bank, Caravaggio Foundation, Ministry for Education, Maltapost, Malta Police, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and the Ministry for Tourism and Culture. The Valletta Local Council, Valleta Rehabilitation Project(VRP), the Italian Embassy and Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) are collaborating on various initiatives. Caravaggio400 in itself is therefore not an event but a series of events organised under the Caravaggio400 ‘brand’.

Caravaggio400 is responsible for coordinating the National Calender of events. The Calendar will publicise a programme of wide participation in a variety of fields, both at a scholarly and popular level.

The Calendar is being co-ordinated by the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and the Caravaggio Foundation who came up with this initiative together with the support of the University of Malta. It will seek to ensure a spread of activities over the two years and also to minimise overlap while maintaining good quality. CARAVAGGIO400 therefore, is a national event in itself, intended for both local cultural enrichment and cultural tourism.

A new website including the national programme of Caravaggio400 events has also been launched. Its address is: www.caravaggio400.com

Caption: Dr Keith Sciberras, Dr Tonio Fenech, Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, HE Paolo Andrea Trabalza, Italian Ambassador, and Davinia Galea during the press conference on the launch of Caravaggio400 held at the Ministry for Tourism and Culture.

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28
Sep 07

Malta Experience


In the beginning was a dark time – a time of change and birth. Driven by elemental forces, seas swelled and shrunk. Mighty land masses transformed themselves, and the Maltese archipelago came into being. Caught on these shores the first inhabitants of Malta built their first Temples more than 5,000 years ago. Malta’s Hagar Qim temple complex is older than the pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge in England.

This and more can be experienced in an audio visual spectacular – The Malta Experience.
It is just ten minutes walk from Maison La Vallette at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. This was formerly the Hospital of the Knights of St John and right next to fort St Elmo. The place itself is worth a visit and the audio visual presentation will give you an interesting overview of Maltese history and culture.

The Malta Experience

Heritage Malta

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27
Sep 07

Birgu by Candlelight

The fourth edition of Birgu By Candlelight.

Festival – 12th October 2007

Among its innovative aspects is the World War II theme that is running through the entertainment around the event. Artistic and cultural activities, including the three-hour show on a stage in the main square, are being linked to the subject, featuring post- and pre-war tunes, dance and projectionsVittoriosa, which has already benefitted from a facelift over the years, takes on magical charm when the lights are out and the narrow, winding streets are illuminated by flickering candles.

Short music, theatre and dance performances will be held on the streets, offering an element of surprise, while visitors can also experience a discovery tour around the town.

A ghost tour, as well as tours of Vittoriosa and its military fortifications are being organised.

The event which is firmly anchored in the country’s cultural calendar, and is being held from 7 p.m. till midnight, also includese historical re-enactments.

Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa is one of the so called 3 cities, together with Senglea and Cospicua. Being so close to the natural Grand Harbour it was often considered a maritime town even by the Knights of St. John way back in the 16 th Century. Birgu was in fact the first place where the Knights settled when they arrived in Malta in 1535.

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15
Sep 07

Valletta eating out – bars, cafes & restaurants


Valletta is dotted with small restaurants, cafes and interesting bars. All have their own unique character. Maison La Vallette is situated minutes away from the best top eating places from the hip Two-Twenty Two to the Cockney’s Bar & Restaurant just down the road next to the ferry.
Maltese cuisine is similar to Italian food, with added influences from other Mediterranean countries. However, the surprising local fondness for Sunday roasts has nothing to do with geography and everything to do with Malta’s long period under British control.

The island’s cuisine has been heavily influenced by the many cultures that have occupied the island over the centuries.

The most influential and not surprising is the very strong Italian , and to a lesser extent North African influences to Maltese cuisine. Many restaurants serve antipasta, pasta and spicy Moorish sauces incorporated into the local dishes.

Valletta is most active at lunchtime. Rubino’s (53 Old Bakery Street, 2122 4656) is renowned for its Maltese stews and cassata, a ricotta-based dessert. Serving traditional and modern Maltese and Mediterranean food, this restaurant is a must if you want to savour local delicacies in a welcoming atmosphere. It is open for lunch from Monday to Friday and dinner on Tuesdays and Fridays only.

Da Pippo Trattoria (136 Melita Street, 2124 8029) is a favourite among locals and serves a variety of Maltese and Sicilian dishes, it is a small place with few tables but truly genuine food. Ambrosia (137 Archbishop Street, 2122 5923) is an excellent choice for Mediterranean comfort food.

Chiaro Scuro (previously known as Labyrinth) The location chosen for the new bar has plenty of atmosphere: a palace built in the okra colour of the Maltese stone, with wonderful arched ceilings and the suggestion given by the street where it is located: “Straight street / Strada Stretta” a place that is worth a book itself.

Cafe Cordina is the place to stop, back and enjoy the bustling life of the main street in Valletta Republic street. Caffe Cordina’s location in the heart of Valletta Malta, facing Piazza Regina and the impressive Biblioteca, puts it within reach of many places of interest. It is family owned and can be compared to Florian in Venice. The interior is magnificent and the selection of sweets excellent.

The Café Jubilee outlet in Valletta (125 Santa Lucia Street, 2125 2332) is a popular spot with locals for a snack with a coffee or a glass of wine, and serve food all day. It remains open up to late at night and has a friendly service. For a different atmosphere just cross over to Sliema by ferry. It is just five minutes down the road from Maison La Vallette to the ferry, and go to Paceville Avenue in St Julian’s which is Malta’s nightlife hub.

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9
Sep 07

Rolex Middle Sea Race – Valletta Harbour

Date: 20 October 2007 – 20 October 2007
Time: 11.00hrs
The start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race is from the waters opposite the Royal Malta Yacht Club in Marsamxett Harbour and thousands of people gather on either side of this imposing harbour to enjoy this spectacle of sail.

The start line in the Harbour is arguably the most spectacular of any yacht race in the world, but it is narrow and so the race committee phase the fleet into various divisions, starting with the smallest and graduating up to the Maxis.

As you approach the Islands’ capital city of Valletta, your eyes will fix onto the Grand Harbour, with the reflection of the hearty sun bouncing off crisp breezy waves, while the majestic bastions glance into the depths below.

Grand Harbour’s reputation as one of the safest natural havens in the Mediterranean is not its only charm. This magnificent port is a living display of Malta’s rich heritage of archaeology, history, architecture, art and culture – all dating back to 7,000 years.

Nowadays, the Grand Harbour has become an irresistible scene for over 250 cruise ships, with almost 200,000 passengers onboard, which visit Malta every year on their Mediterranean itineraries.

The history of the Maltese Islands is intertwined with that of the Mediterranean Basin, with the major civilizations of the area having moored on Malta due to commercial interests with merchant galleys, or even in military operations with fully armed warships. From the times of the ancient Phoenicians to Malta’s role as home port for the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean fleet, Maltese ports have hosted a diverse range of sea craft from various countries. Now that Malta is an independent republic and a new member of the European Union, its harbours are known best to commercial ships, cruise liners, chartered and private yachts as well as nautical aficionados. The coastline’s craggy inlets and bays, most of which wonderfully secluded and inaccessible from land, provide the privilege of mooring for a swim or lunching on board in privacy. Malta boasts over 750 metres of quay space dedicated exclusively to the sailing leisure market.

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9
Sep 07

Caravaggio art treasures in Valletta – October


Nine of Caravaggio’s paintings will be flown to Malta from different galleries for a major exhibition to mark the enigmatic Italian painter’s 400th anniversary of his stay on the island.

These world art treasures will be on exhibit at Valletta’s National Museum of Archaeology and are the culmination of many months of hard work by Heritage Malta, in collaboration with Italy’s Romartificio.

The exhibition will also mark the 40th year from the signing of the cultural agreement between Malta and Italy, which was recently renewed until 2009.

On show will be works by Caravaggio that clearly portray the divine element; a series of world-famous paintings from major European and American collections have been put together for this event.

Heritage Malta chairman Mario Tabone said Malta possessed the only painting signed by the 17th century artist – the Beheading of St John – a situation that had given rise to numerous debates over which works were really Caravaggio’s.

“We have consulted numerous experts and artists on this matter of authenticity and I’m sure the debate will continue here,” Dr Tabone said during the exhibition’s press launch at the Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana.

The exhibition was launched by Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech in the presence of Romartificio president Roberto Celli and art historian Maurizio Marini.

The exhibition, titled Caravaggio: L’Immagine Del Divino, includes: The Sacrifice of Isaac, and St Francis In Ecstasy (both from the Piasecka-Johnson Collection, Princeton, New Jersey); St John the Baptist (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, Palazzo Corsini, Rome); Mary Magdalene In Ecstasy (private collection, Rome); St Francis (Museo Civico di Cremona); St Francis In Meditation (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, Palazzo Barberini, Rome); Sacrifice Of Isaac (private collection, Modena); Decapitation Of San Gennaro (Palestrina, Rome); and Ecstasy Of St Francis (Museo Civico di Udine, Italy).

Heritage Malta is also in the process of negotiating the possibility of including the painting titled Supper at Emmaus in the exhibition.

Parallel events relating to the Maltese period of Caravaggio and his influence on the art of the following generations will also be held.

An adjacent hall to the main exhibition area will feature documents and artefacts related to the magistracy of Grandmaster Alof de Wignacourt (1601-1622) and to Caravaggio’s works in Malta.

The Museum of Fine Arts in South Street, Valletta, will also present a Caravaggisti Experience, which will introduce the visitor to the works of Caravaggio’s followers in the national collection exhibited in the museum.

Data will highlight the impact of the master’s style in contrast to parallel but stylistically diverse artistic activity focusing more on the ideal beauty in art.

Dr Zammit Dimech was confident the exhibition would be a success because, apart from providing a major selection of works, foreign visitors would have the chance to view two other precious Caravaggio paintings, permanently housed at St John’s Co-Cathedral.

“Apart from being an attraction to local art lovers, I’m sure this will serve as a magnet for tourists, artists and admirers of this art genius,” he said.

source: timesofmalta.com
_______________________________
CARAVAGGIO OCTOBER SPECIAL AT MAISON LA VALLETTE
£346 (511€)
1 week (7 nights) for 2 people
including:
free welcome pack including bottle of wine & other local delicacies
free transport from/to airport
2 free entrance tickets to St John’s Co Catherdral Museum
Valid till end October 2007.
equivalent to approx. £24 (€36) per person per night
Click here for more information & booking details

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9
Sep 07

Notte Bianca (Valletta-Malta) – An all night celebration of arts and culture in Valletta

The second edition of Notte Bianca — Lejl Imdawwal, is to be held on the October 06, with an ambitious programme of art, music, drama, photography, re-enactments, food and drink.

In this year’s edition of the Notte Bianca, the general public will be able to visit the National Museum of Arts, the armoury, the State Rooms in the Palace, the Auberge of Castille, St. John Cathedral amongst other places.

Guided tours for children will also be organised, as well as tours of palaces and auberges.

Launching the event, Minister for Tourism and Culture Francis Zammit Dimech said that following the large crowds which attended the event last year, the Ministry aims on improving the turnout of this year’s Notte Bianca.

“This year’s programme is more ambitious and is spread over a larger area, between Victoria Gate and Castille square.”

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3
Sep 07

End of Summer offer at Maison La Vallette

You can benefit from the special offer on accommodation at Maison La Vallette till the end of September. (half the month is already booked!)

What you get?

  • 7 nights for 2 people
  • free welcome pack including a bottle of local maltese wine & local fruits
  • free transport from/to Malta International Airport

Cost for the whole stay: £325 (478€)

More details on the official website