Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1518068
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 MARCH 2024 NEWS EARLIER this week, the Mal- ta Airport Foundation un- veiled the newly restored set of 14 paintings depicting the Via Sagra inside the Church of Saint Mary of Jesus, also known as Ta' Ġieżu, in Vallet- ta. This restoration and conser- vation project not only marks the third investment under- taken by the Foundation in the capital city, but has also con- tributed to the preservation of the priceless heritage housed inside one of Valletta's oldest churches, dating back to 1575. The Chairman of the Malta Airport Foundation, Mr. Jo- seph Formosa Gauci, explains that, "The religious tourism market is growing steadily, with an increasing number of tourists visiting our islands every year during festive pe- riods to admire our religious heritage and experience first- hand the celebrations of our faith, particularly during Holy Week and Easter." Art restoration company At- elier del Restauro was entrust- ed by the Franciscan Friars Minor to revive the original beauty of the Via Sagra, or Stations of the Cross, revers- ing years of improper inter- ventions. Conservator Valentina Lupo shed light on the project's findings, affirming that "the primary aim of the project was to carry out restoration inter- ventions that reestablish the paintings' appearance as was originally intended by the art- ists." In fact, the 11-month resto- ration process unveiled pre- viously unknown information about this particular Via Sagra, as the restorers identified the hands of two prominent Mal- tese artists, Francesco Zahra and Gian Nicola Buhagiar, in several of the paintings. It has also been confirmed that this is the second Via Sagra to be introduced in a Maltese church, with the first being found in another Fran- ciscan church in Rabat. On the verso of two other paintings, an inscription de- tailing the name of the artist, Jacobbus Gini, and the name of the person who commis- sioned both of these works of art was discovered," Lupo con- tinued, stating that this is a ra- re feature for such paintings. The gilded frames adorning the paintings, attributed to re- nowned Maltese artist Abram Gatt, were also restored, with 23,75k gold leaf being applied using the water gilding tech- nique to the tarnished areas. The Guardian of the Fran- ciscan Community, Fr. Ramon Farrugia OFM, thanked the Malta Airport Foundation for its financial support while ex- pressing his satisfaction with the outcome of the project, stating that, "the Via Sagra's revived beauty will encourage people to continue to pray and meditate on the Lord's pas- sion, particularly during the coming days as our church becomes one of the most fre- quented on the islands." For more information about the Malta Airport Founda- tion's projects, please visit maltairport.com/foundation. Newly restored historical Via Sagra unveiled at Ta' Giezu church in valletta