Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1363129
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 APRIL 2021 14 COMMERCIAL Laferla presents outgoing Mapfre CEO with token of appreciation THE directors of Laferla Insur- ance Agency recently hosted the outgoing Mapfre Middlesea President & CEO, Felipe Navar- ro Lopez de Chicheri at their head office in Valletta to present him with a token of their appre- ciation for the strong working relationship developed over the past five and a half years. Laferla is Mapfre Middlesea's largest source of business and the two firms have solidified a strong position in the local insurance market throughout the course of their working relationship spanning over 20 years. Mark Laferla Sr presented Mr Navarro with a painting of the 'Ton Ton Laferla Insur- ance' racing boat in the Grand Harbour, commissioned to the local artist of long-standing repute, Edwin Galea. Upon presenting the painting to his counterpart, Laferla comment- ed that it was an easy choice of gift, knowing that Navarro is both passionate about sailing as well as being an admirer of art. The Laferla board of direc- tors wished Mr Navarro all the best for his new role in Madrid, heading the Mapfre Group's Treasury and Investor Rela- tions section. Navarro thanked the direc- tors for their kind invitation to the offices of Laferla Insurance Agency and the beautiful me- mento presented to him by the company. He mentioned the great rela- tionship and spirit of coopera- tion that MAPFRE Middlesea has had with Laferla which marked his tenure as President and CEO and augured that this partnership will continue to flourish in the future. Mark Laferla Sr (left) presents Felipe Navarro Lopez de Chicheri (right) with a painting of Ton Ton Laferla Insurance EU funds help return Red Tower to its ancient glory AS one approaches Għadira Bay on the way to the popular sandy beaches close by or before driving the last few miles on the road to catch the Gozo ferry, St. Agatha's tower – or as better known locally – the Red Tower – dominates the scenery from its imposing position at the edge of Marfa Ridge. This impressive fortifica- tion dates back to 1649, when Grand Master Jean Paul Las- caris Castellar sought to strengthen Malta's coastal de- fence, with a tower made of four-metre-thick walls, with a space large enough to host a cannon and able to hold a gar- rison of some 30 men. The positioning of this tower not only protected the under- lying bay but allowed for com- munication with other towers on Comino and Gozo and had a view of both sides of the is- land to spot enemy ships. Testament to the strength of this building was confirmed centuries later when the Brit- ish used it for defence purpos- es too, manning it during both World Wars. Besides its rich history, the stunning location of the Tower offers unparalleled views over Mellieħa Bay, the Għadira Na- ture Reserve as well as of Gozo and Comino. It is also a perfect relaxing spot for hikers and trekkers seeking some shade as they make their way along the North side of the island. The restoration of the Tower, whose famous wine-like colour had almost been washed away through the centuries, formed part of a wider project, cost- ing €600,000, through which local heritage NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa carried out the restora- tion of three towers: St. Aga- tha Tower (known as it-Torri l-Aħmar) in Mellieħa, Dwejra Tower in Gozo and Santa Marija Battery in Comino. Maltese history received a tremendous boost over the past years with the significant injection of EU funding. The European Regional Devel- opment Fund was diligently tapped into Malta's National Trust. With co-financing by the Malta Tourism Authority to ensure that these three key pieces of Malta's history are restored to the original ap- pearance. More than a third of this budget were allocated towards the Red Tower project which focused mainly on restoration works consisting of the rein- statement of the external and internal surfaces. The project included the installation of an improved lighting system, in- stallation of a security system, restoration of apertures, secu- rity grilles and flooring works. Restoration work on the ex- terior part of the tower also in- cluded the meticulous removal of items that were attached to it despite having no historical value as well as other interven- tions and the replacement of stone which was damaged or deteriorated by the course of time. Besides bringing back dignity to this wonderful piece of mili- tary architecture, this EU-sup- ported project gives another boost to the tourism product of the islands, with the St Ag- atha Tower attracting tens of thousands of tourists pre-Cov- id pandemic. This article is part of the OurEU.mt campaign, which is being managed by CiCon- sulta's ComuniqEU, with the financial support of the Eu- ropean Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of CiConsulta and do not neces- sarily reflect the views of the European Union. Laferla commemorates long- standing relationship with local artist, Edwin Galea MARK Laferla Sr, founder and chairman of Laferla Insurance Agency, hosted long-time friend and renowned artist Edwin Galea at the Laferla head office in Valletta last week. The two toured the office and admired the paintings which the reputa- ble artist has created through- out the 35 plus years of collab- oration. Laferla presented Galea with a small gift, a branded copy of the limited edition book, Cele- brating 360° the 30th Anniver- sary issue. The book commemorates the series of superb photographic books that, with the publica- tion of Malta 360º in 1989, lead to the creation of a collection of Melitensia books. The edi- tion was specially branded for LAFERLA. Laferla signed the copy pre- sented to Galea with a note in honour of their long-standing relationship and admiration for his artistic works. After many years of friend- ship between Galea and Lafer- la, and a collection steadily building since the 1980s, the Laferla Head Office in Vallet- ta boasts close to 40 pieces by Galea, 8 of which have been specially commissioned and one was painted by Galea's late father, Chev. Joseph Galea. Three of the commissioned pieces were also presented to various overseas guests over the years. Seeing these paint- ings proudly displayed at the Valletta base for the company touched Galea, who comment- ed that the office is "a living gallery". Laferla said that Galea's paintings have become a part of the spirit of the Laferla of- fices, and was sure that they would continue to be admired for many years to come. Edwin Galea (left) and Mark Laferla Snr (right)