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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 FEBRUARY 2020 6 CULTURE BOOKS & ART Book Review Mikiel Anton Vassalli – The Story of Cyrus the Great Found in Translation Translated by Mikiel Anton Vassalli – includes a story by Ivan Said WRITING about Mikiel Anton Vassalli, as Ivan Said frequently and enthusiastical- ly admits during our daily discussions on Maltese literature and language, had always been his dream and ambition and it is pre- cisely these that his recently published book Mikiel Anton Vassalli – It-Traduttur has fulfilled. But the book does not simply accomplish Said's aspirations, it also sheds new light on Vassalli's life and work as a translator. Hardbound and beautifully illustrated, Mikiel Anton Vassalli – It-Traduttur reflects Said's commitment and exertions over the years to achieve his dream. And by fulfilling it, Said presents us with a book, which besides being instructive and en- tertaining to read, is also thought provoking especially by shedding new light on Vassalli's motives to translate the extract from Rollin's Histoire ancienne of Cyrus, King of the Me- des and ruler of Asia, and all he stood for. All things considered, Said's book is also a tribute to Vassalli, the great man of letters, linguist and translator who, for his times, in- opportunely harboured politically unaccom- plished dreams. This book is published by Horizons, and is available from leading bookshops A temporary exhibition highlighting the life and artistic works of Filippo Venuti is currently being held at Il- Ħaġar – Heart of Gozo Museum in Victoria. Filippo Venuti lived in the Maltese Islands for nine years between 1894 and 1903. The exhibition focuses on four paint- ings of the four Evangelists and a bo- zzetto featuring the Apotheosis of St George which was commissioned for the decoration of the octagonal drum of the dome of St George's Basilica in Victoria. The project is entrusted to Sara Mat- tioli, an Italian conservator with a vast experience in the sector, and is finan- cially supported by Bank of Valletta. Addressing the opening of the exhi- bition by Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria, Charles Azzopardi, Executive PR & Marketing at Bank of Valletta, spoke about the Bank's commitment to sup- port important projects of this calibre, with the aim of preserving the artistic heritage so that future generations will inherit these precious works in a better state. The restoration is taking place at a laboratory within the Museum itself. The process includes cleaning and removal of the old varnish layer and retouching, removing of the old in- fills and consolidation of the paint layer. After an intermediate application of varnish, the layers will be re-integrat- ed and a final varnish application will close off the process. Photographic documentation is car- ried out before, during and after the restoration of each piece. The exhibition is open all week from 9am to 5pm until Wednesday. Those who visit Il-Ħaġar, which is ad- jacent to the Basilica of St George, will have the opportunity to learn more about Filippo Venuti, his life and his art which can be found all over Malta and Gozo, and his ties to our Islands. Paintings by Filippo Venuti undergoing restoration in Gozo