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5 THEATRE maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 DECEMBER 2022 Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti celebrates 30 years of promoting Maltese patrimony at home and abroad Maestro Michael Laus awarded Malta Society of Arts' Gold Medal for 2022 FONDAZZJONI Patrimonju Malti is celebrating 30 years since it was founded with the aim of promoting the heritage of the Maltese Islands. HSBC Foundation has been a proud supporter of Fondazzjo- ni Patrimonju Malti through its journey over the years. A jour- ney that has seen Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti collaborate and engage with countless pro- fessionals, artists, creatives and authors on an exceptional and varied list of projects. Since it was set up in 1992, Fon- dazzjoni Patrimonju Malti has established itself as an authority on the promotion and preserva- tion of the islands' cultural and artistic heritage, regularly organ- ising seminars and exhibitions, both locally and abroad, that place the spotlight on all that the islands have to offer. Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Mal- ti publishes several catalogues, books and documents about art and culture every year and has been a driver of original research into Malta's cultural heritage. Most importantly, Fondazzjo- ni Patrimonju Malti has shown an unparalleled commitment to its audiences, contributors and supporters, by providing unique and high-level cultural experi- ences ranging from publications to award-winning exhibitions and productions. HSBC Foundation will be sup- porting an exhibition of original 18th century period costumes and jewellery at the Historic House Museum at Palazzo Fal- son in Mdina. Both men's and women's costumes that shaped Maltese society all the way up to the 20th century will be featured in vignettes installed in selected period rooms spanning over 700 years. Simon Vaughan Johnson, CEO at HSBC Malta and Chairper- son of the HSBC Malta Founda- tion, said: "for a large portion of these 30 years, HSBC have been proudly supporing FPM to up- hold their mission of promoting the Islands' rich cultural heritage in an engaging and very relevant way." Michael Lowell, CEO of Fon- dazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, said: "these 30 years of growth have been characterised by a willing- ness to keep abreast with the changing times and cultural de- mands, while retaining the iden- tity, mission, and hopes with which Patrimonju was first con- ceived." THE prestigious Gold Medal Award was presented to Maes- tro Laus on Wednesday 14 De- cember by President George Vella in a ceremony held at the Society's premises at Palazzo de La Salle in Valletta. During a private ceremony held at the Concert Hall of Pala- zzo de La Salle in Valletta on 14 December, the Malta Society of Arts (MSA) awarded its pres- tigious Gold Medal Award for 2022 to Michael Laus, conduc- tor, composer, performer, and Director of the Malta National Orchestra for 25 years, for his outstanding achievements in the field of music, both nationally and abroad. The Gold Medal was first awarded by the Malta Society Arts in 1896, and past recipients include such illustrious names as Sir Temi Zammit (1904), Robert Caruana Dingli (1916), Emvin Cremona (1963), Oreste Kirkop (1997), Richard England (1984), Oliver Friggieri (2003), Joseph Calleja (2007), Fr Marius Zerafa (2011), Harry Alden (2013), and Carmine Lauri (2015), to name but a few. Laus was awarded the Gold Medal in the presence of his fam- ily, friends, colleagues and col- laborators. The evening kicked off with an introduction by the Society's President Arch. Adrian Mamo, which was followed by a personal recollection about the Maestro by Tony Cassar Darien. After this intimate look into Laus' personal and professional life, last year's Gold Medal award winner Mariella Pisani Bencini interviewed this year's Awar- dee, during which the audience was regaled with memories and anecdotes from his 40-year long career in the music industry so far. Finally, the Gold Medal was presented to the Maestro by President George Vella, who expressed his appreciation of Laus' long and illustrious career in his speech. President Vella mentioned Laus' invaluable con- tribution to the classical music scene in Malta and to the estab- lishment and achievements of the Malta National Orchestra. The evening was marked by various musical interludes per- formed by Marcelline Agius on the violin, Ester Garcia Salas on the viola, and Nora Karakou- soglou on the cello. Laus is the Resident Conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Or- chestra, has directed orchestras and operas all over the world, and worked with world-famous soloists. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Malta and is the founder and director of the National Youth Orchestra, as well as the Goldberg Ensemble. Some career highlights which are close to his heart include conducting two concerts in the presence of the late Queen Eliz- abeth II, and of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, conducting the Slovak Philharmonic for the Expo in Hamburg, and working with composer Arvo Pärt on his compositions. For more details about the Malta Society of Arts and its Gold Medal please visit www. artsmalta.org or www.facebook. com/maltasocietyofarts HSBC Bank Malta CEO and Chairperson of the HSBC Malta Foundation Simon Vaughan Johnson (centre) presenting this year's donation to Michael Lowell CEO and Creative Director for Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti in the presence of Caroline Tonna, Curator of Palazzo Falson Michael Laus