Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1491498
5.12.19 12 COMMERCIAL 2.2.2023 THE conservation project linked with the unique wall paintings that illus- trate the 1565 Great Siege battle at the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta will soon be completed after the Planning Authority (PA) donated an addition- al €70,000 towards the project. Back in 2020, the Authority had already committed €75,000 towards this pro- ject. The donation was made to the Research, Innovation & Development Trust (RIDT) of the University of Mal- ta. The project which in its totality is costing €300,000 is being carried out by the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage within the Univer- sity of Malta and Heritage Malta, un- der the auspices of the Office of the President of Malta. Set in the Grand Council Chamber of the Grand Master's Palace in Val- letta, the wall paintings cycle offers a unique – and historically accurate – depiction of the Siege, when the far- outnumbered Maltese, led by the Knights Hospitaller, successfully de- fended the island from attempted in- vasion by the Ottoman Empire. Great Siege veteran Grand Mas- ter Fra Jean de Cassiere (1572-1581) invited artist Matteo Perez d'Alec- cio (1547-1628) to Malta in 1577 to depict the four-month siege. Using eyewitness accounts and written re- ports, d'Aleccio created a narrative sequence of the Siege across a series of 12 scenes, recording in exquisite and true detail a defining episode in Malta's history. Oliver Magro, Executive Chairper- son at the Planning Authority said "we are particular proud of our associa- tion with this restoration project. Our sponsorship of €145,000 towards the restoration of these magnificent wall paintings will ensure that this national treasure will be enjoyed by future gen- erations. We commend the sterling work being carried out by the Depart- ment of Conservation and Built Her- itage at the University of Malta, led by Prof JoAnn Cassar and her team." "Our support for projects that pro- mote and preserve Malta's heritage will continue in the future." The Minister for Public Works and Planning Stefan Zrinzo Azzopar- di showed his satisfaction with the substantial contribution made by the Planning Authority while he thanked the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage for the management and supervision of this project. The Minister said, "It is very satis- fying to see a conservation project of this type come to an end while simul- taneously serving as a platform for fu- ture projects of the same level". Azzopardi concluded by saying that this project also reflects the Govern- ment's commitment to preserving our country's cultural heritage and the wise and structured use of public funds. The Rector of the University of Mal- ta, Prof Alfred Vella said "Apart from the traditional roles of teaching and research, a modern university is ex- pected to understand the require- ments of its community and to active- ly participate in the strengthening of society." He added that "this monumental painting belongs to our society and is part of our identity as a nation. The University of Malta, through its De- partment of Conservation and Built Heritage took on this conservation as part of its mission, and we are in- debted to organisations such as the Planning Authority and others, who provided the financial backup for such undertaking." For more information visit https:// researchtrustmalta.eu/research-pro- jects/conserving- great-siege-wall- paintings/ PA pledges more funds to assist in conservation of unique palace paintings Front: Prof Alfred Vella, University Rector (left) and Mr Oliver Magro, PA Chairperson Back: Wilfred Kenely, RIDT CEO (left) and Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for Public Works and Planning