Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1376560
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 MAY 2021 18 COMMERCIAL Paola titular painting of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes undergoing restoration A set of paintings by Chev Em- vin Cremona decorating the Main Altar of The Parish of The Blessed Virgin of Lourdes in Paola, is currently undergo- ing a rigorous process of resto- ration and conservation at Pre- vArti's laboratory in Mosta. The project, supported by Bank of Valletta, is another one from a series of similar projects under- taken by the local bank. The set of paintings dates back to 1968 and boasts a vertical 8-metre high titular painting of the Blessed Vir- gin of Lourdes; two horizontal 5-metre wide paintings de- picting various Saints; and 6 smaller paintings, depicting angels which decorate and per- fectly harmonise the whole set. These works of art, a main at- traction of this church, reside behind the Altar, just across the main entrance. The restoration process com- menced once the paintings were dismantled and trans- ported to the laboratory and its completion is envisaged to be at end of June 2021. Photos of the front and back of each painting were taken prior to the start of treatment, follow- ing which, cleaning tests were carried out to tackle the re- moval of accumulated dust and dirt and ensure that the safest and most efficient methods are used. Head Conservator, Pierre Bugeja explained that the paintings were never var- nished and therefore lacked a protective layer, most probably due to the fact that this had to be applied on location follow- ing the installation towards the end of the 1960's. Once each painting undergoes the clean- ing process, the infilling and retouching of losses together with the application of varnish will be carried out. Prior to the re-installation of the paintings, the wooden frames which support the can- vases will be strengthened and consolidated. During a visit to PrevArti's workshop, BOV PR & Mar- keting Executive, Charles Az- zopardi, admired the beauty and prestige of these works by Emvin Cremona, while Parish Priest, Rev John Muscat ex- pressed his eagerness to wel- come back the set of paintings in his Parish Church. Free webinar on managing stress and time in the midst of a pandemic IDEA Academy is organising a free webinar aimed at provid- ing practical tips for managing stress and time during Covid-19 times. In today's current climate and with the added challenges brought about by the pandem- ic, stress levels have soared to unprecedented levels. In fact, according to the Richmond Foundation, 63% of Malta's population has reported feeling stressed over the past year. In this free webinar, emotion- al intelligence expert, lecturer, and academic researcher Kath- leen Vella will be giving some practical tips and techniques on how to handle time and challenges with more ease. She will be providing sugges- tions aimed at better manag- ing one's self and one's loads, whether personal or profes- sional. Time Management will be discussed as part of Stress Management. Positive Pro- gramming – or the power to be able to interpret everything around in us in the most em- powering way – will also feature. The webinar, called 'Stressed Out, Maxed Out: Practical Tips for Managing Stress and Time', will be deliv- ered on June 1, at 6pm. To register for the free webi- nar, please visit: bit.ly/ideamal- tawebinar Taekwondo returns after year hiatus due to pandemic THE sport of taekwondo has returned to the national and in- ternational community after a hiatus of over a year. In December 2019, a delega- tion from World Taekwondo Europe headed by its Presi- dent visited Malta and met with representatives from the Maltese Olympic Committee and SportMalta before meeting the committee members of the Malta Taekwondo Federation. As a result of this visit, World Taekwondo suspended the Federation as it was deemed unfit to continue operating in harmony. An Interim Board was put in its place to oversee the sport locally whilst the gov- erning body examined the gov- ernance issues that had plagued the sport in Malta over numer- ous years. A process, that was supposed to last a handful of months, was unfortunately de- layed as the investigation pro- cess encountered different ob- stacles and was unable to finish its remit and forward its rec- ommendations in the proposed time. The eventual recognition of the Interim Board by all lo- cal taekwondo clubs paved the way for a new statute to be ap- proved in February. Endorsed by World Taekwondo, the new statute provides a strong tool to ensure that the sport does not face the same difficulties it encountered in the past. The addition of a number of bylaws strengthens the govern- ance of the sport with trans- parency and accountability be- ing brought to the forefront. With all these measures, in- cluding the dissolution of the former federation and the for- mation of a new association with the name the Malta Taek- wondo Association, taekwondo in Malta has regained recogni- tion by the International Fed- eration - World Taekwondo, by the Continental Federation - World Taekwondo Europe, by Sport Malta and by the Mal- tese Olympic Committee. Compliance with the require- ments of the Malta Business Registry has been achieved, whilst the certification from the Commissioner for Vol- untary Organizations is being awaited.