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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 MAY 2021 7 CULTURE Heritage Malta masterclass focuses on Malta's rich heraldry tradition MALTA and Europe's rich her- aldry tradition will be the focus of a masterclass which Heritage Malta will be streaming in Eng- lish on Facebook on Tuesday, 4th May, at 6.30pm. DURING this masterclass, the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta, Dr Charles A. Gauci, will be giv- ing an overview of the evolution of heraldry in Malta and Europe. The masterclass will also delve into different types of coats of arms, which may be personal and hereditary, or impersonal and non-hereditary. Dr Gauci will explain how coats of arms are essentially insignia of iden- tification. He will also dispel the com- mon misconception that her- aldry is the sole prerogative of the nobility. Despite the abundance of ar- morial bearings all over the Maltese islands, there has nev- er been, until recently, a local central authority regulating the granting or registration of coats of arms. In March 2019, the Office of the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta was estab- lished by Heritage Malta upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Cabi- net Secretary. The Office of the Chief Her- ald of Arms of Malta is now charged with regulating her- aldry within the Maltese Is- lands. Dr Gauci will be briefing participants as to how to apply for a grant or registration of arms. All arms granted or registered by the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta are made under the authority of Heritage Malta and are fully recognised by the State. PHILADELPHIA Club mem- bers and their guests are cor- dially invited to an illustrated presentation by Caroline Ton- na, curator of Palazzo Falson, an 800-year old historic house museum in the medieval city of Mdina, Malta. By way of in- troduction, Caroline will briefly review the long and rich histo- ry of the island nation of Malta and its key role in historic events due to its strategic location in the center of the Mediterrane- an. She will also relate some interesting historic episodes connecting Malta to the United States … and to Philadelphia! Caroline will then share the splendor and collections of Palazzo Falson. Its last private owner was the artist, research- er, and philanthropist Captain Olof Frederick Gollcher OBE (1889-1962), a discerning col- lector of objets d'art and his- torical objects. He desired that his house and collections be preserved as a museum for the cultural enrichment of the nation. After his death, his patrimony was administered by The Captain O.F Gollcher O.B.E. Art and Archaeolog- ical Foundation. Years later, the Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malta, (the non-profit Maltese Heritage Foundation) restored the unique 13th century pala- zzo to its former glory and transformed it into a historic house museum. Palazzo Falson opened to the public on May 4, 2007. Art historian and curator Caroline Tonna specializes in 19th-century dress history and photography. Her forthcoming book, Fashioning Malta in Ear- ly Photography, is based on her research in both of these sub- jects. An experienced cultural media editor, she has produced several cultural programs on radio and television. Caroline has presented and published many academic papers and is a guest lecturer at the University of Malta. She holds undergrad- uate degrees in Anthropology and Art History and a masters in Art History, and participat- ed in programming of the At- tingham Trust. An active vol- unteer, Caroline is one of the administrators of the Notarial Archives Foundation to help preserve the documentary her- itage, and serves as volunteer dress curator at the Casa Rocca Piccola Historic House Muse- um to preserve its private lace and costume collection. Registration required for this virtual event: https://us02web. z o o m . u s / w e b i n a r / r e g i s t e r / WN_TiPGxJfcQLe5nv5BdB - V4cw Presentation at Noon. No im- post. The presentation will al- so be simulcast in the Morgan Room. Those planning to take lunch and refreshments at the Club should check whether reservations are required: ad- min@philadelphiaclub.com. Virtual lecture on the Maltese cultural history with a focus on Palazzo Falson Caroline Tonna, curator of Palazzo Falson