Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1527749
11 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 11 OCTOBER 2024 CULTURE MUSIC FOLLOWING a strong start last Saturday, Il-Ħaġar Museum's events season contin- ues this week with another two highly an- ticipated events. Today at 7.30pm, Gozitan photographer Daniel Cilia will give a public talk titled 'Ne- olithic Malta: What We Have, What We Lost, and What We Could Lose!!' Drawing on decades of experience and a passion for storytelling, Cilia's work has graced numerous books on the Maltese Is- lands, their history, culture, and beauty. His keen eye for detail and deep under- standing of his subjects make his presenta- tions both informative and visually stun- ning, offering a rich insight into Malta's prehistoric heritage. The talk will cover all of Malta's Neolithic sites, those that have been lost and the cur- rent threats to those still standing. Through his lens, Cilia invites the audience to redis- cover these ancient wonders and reflect on their importance for future generations. This talk is held in collaboration with the Malta Historical Society. Cilia was born in Gozo in 1963 and is a self-taught photographer who began his ca- reer at the age of 13. His work focuses on how light shapes our perception of every- day life. Since his first major exhibition in 1986, he has participated in over 50 exhibitions worldwide. He was awarded the Licentiate of the Roy- al Photographic Society in 1986 and has held key teaching positions in Florence. Specialising in editorial photographic design, Cilia has contributed to 152 books about Malta, with his photography widely featured. In 2024, he was honoured as an Officer of the Order pro Merito Melitensi by the Hos- pitaller Order of St John. Guided tour of Lost Paradise exhibition On Saturday 12 October, at 11.00am, art critic Prof. Louis Laganà will interview art- ists Henry Alamango and Galina Troizky about the inspiration behind their current exhibition, Lost Paradise, hosted at Il- Ħaġar. During a guided tour of the exhibition, they will explore how paradise is a subjec- tive concept, a blend of landscapes, com- munity, and culture, tied to identity and roots. While nostalgia and imagination fuel this connection, paradise often goes unrecog- nised until it is lost. The exhibition delves into personal and collective visions of paradise, the longing for a better place, and the realisation that what people seek may have existed in the familiar people and places we left behind. Alamango is a self-taught artist whose love for nature is deeply influenced by his Mediterranean upbringing, particularly in the Maltese Islands. His figurative art often depicts warm light, stone, and vibrant landscapes, with a pref- erence for water-based mediums. He also experiments with inks, acrylics, pastels, and gesso, frequently portraying contemporary street life. Galina Troizky, born in Moscow and trained in applied art and fashion design, has lived between Berlin and Gozo since 2003. Her internationally exhibited work ex- plores the tension between individuals and rapid urban transformation, reflecting her concerns about the destruction of architec- tural environments in the race for moder- nity. Renowned Gozitan photographer Daniel Cilia to give public talk on Neolithic Malta BANK of Valletta has announced the upcoming fifth mini-concert as part of its ongoing 50th anni- versary celebrations, marking the first event of this series to be held in Gozo. Scheduled for Friday 18 Octo- ber at 7pm, this evening is set to offer an unforgettable evening of classical music and a fascinating lecture on art restoration. This concert, featuring the re- nowned Cordia String Quartet and acclaimed Harpist Jacob Portelli, is part of a series of anni- versary events previously held in prominent locations across Mal- ta, previously including Valletta, Kalkara, Tarxien, and Siggiewi. It promises a remarkable reper- toire of classical music, including Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor, RV 522 by Antonio Vival- di, Händel's Harp Concerto, as well as Harp Sinfonia Concerto by Johann Christian Bach, and Double Violin Concerto by Jo- hann Sebastian Bach. In addition to the musical per- formances, the evening will also highlight the Bank's longstanding commitment to preserving Mal- tese heritage. Guests will be treated to a lec- ture by Godwin Cutajar, the es- teemed art conservator, respon- sible for the restoration of an impressive set of 20 paintings by Emvin Cremona, the prominent 20th-century artist. The paintings, completed be- tween 1954 and 1962, were origi- nally hung in Ta' Pinu Sanctuary before being sent to Italy for mo- saic reproductions. These works were rediscovered after being stored for years in poor condi- tions, leading to significant dam- age. The restoration efforts, under- taken with the Bank's support in 2006, brought these valuable pieces of Maltese art history back to life. Cutajar will provide insight in- to the meticulous process of re- storing these 20 paintings, many of which suffered from tears, holes, cracks, and dirt. His lec- ture will detail the conservation techniques used to preserve these culturally significant works. This event is free of charge and open to everyone. Seating will be available on a first-come, first- served basis. Speaking on the announcement of this concert, the Bank's Chief Operations Officer, Ernest Agius said the bank was delighted to bring this cultural event to Gozo, strengthening its ties with the community here. "For us at Bank of Valletta, this is more than just a concert. It is an opportunity to engage with our customers through shared experi- ences of art and heritage," he said. "BOV remains committed to deepening our outreach and presence across Malta and Gozo, and this event is a reflection of this commitment." BOV brings 50th anniversary celebrations to Gozo