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8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 16 APRIL 2025 CULTURE HERITAGE Malta's interactive portal Tales of Kottonera has been enhanced with three new features – a graphic novel, a series of heritage trails, and an additional character to the ones already in place, guiding visitors around the Three Cities and Kalkara. The portal, launched in Octo- ber last year and developed in collaboration with Marketlink Ltd, provides an innovative way of exploring the rich history and culture of the Kottonera region. With a content targeting vari- ous audiences and age groups, it is a treasure trove of resources, historical facts, lesser-known stories, and interesting curiosi- ties about this iconic locality. Tales of Kottonera is a pro- ject managed by Heritage Mal- ta Publishing, as the agency's unit responsible for didactic re- sources. Both the graphic nov- el and the heritage trails were conceived and produced by this unit. The newly added graphic nov- el, titled The Cursed Thief, may also be accessed as a hard copy and is the first title in the new series Chilling Tales of Malta and Gozo, published by Herit- age Malta through its publish- ing unit. It recounts the true story of a theft from the Church of St Theresa in Cospicua in 1837. Pawlu Galea, from Vit- toriosa, broke into the church, desecrating the tabernacle and stealing the sacred ciborium. The ciborium was later found, following a frantic search in the neighbourhood. On the site where it was discovered in Birgu, the Discalced Carmelite friars built a small chapel and the place is known to this day as 'Fejn Sabu s-Sinjur' ('Where the Lord was Found'). The heritage trails – one each for Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Seng- lea and Kalkara – take visitors across 21 fascinating stops in every city. As they walk along and learn about the history of the area, users can solve fun challenges and scan QR codes to reveal even more exciting stories about Kottonera. Each trail is designed to give a fore- taste of Kottonera's rich cultur- al heritage and to induce virtual visitors to experience the trail physically and more holistically. The additional character is that of Filomena, who joins Salvu and Bertu on the portal. Eventually the portal will have six animated characters in all, each recounting tales about Kottonera from their own per- spective. Filomena's remit, for instance, is the historical com- mercial aspect of Kottonera. The three new features were launched during an event to which students from De La Salle College were invited, together with representatives of Kotton- era local councils and NGOs. The event was held inside the Church of St Theresa, to com- plement the story about the theft of 1837. The stolen cibo- rium and the forced door of the tabernacle, still preserved by the friars, were also placed on display during the event. After- wards, the students were shown the place where the ciborium was recovered. Commenting on this event, Noel Zammit, Heritage Malta's Chief Executive Officer, said that Tales of Kottonera offers an innovative means for the public to become familiar with the Kottonera region, appreci- ate its history and culture, and yearn to know more about it by visiting it in person. He added that the portal, now even more enhanced with the new addi- tions, beautifully complements physical visits to Kottonera by providing a wider context and an alternative perspective. Tales of Kottonera portal enhanced with three exciting features ARCHBISHOP Charles Sciclu- na invites Christians to partic- ipate in the Holy Week func- tions during which the Catholic Church commemorates the passion, death and resurrec- tion of our Lord Jesus Christ. During these holy days, the Archbishop will preside over the celebrations at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta. On Thursday, 17th April, Maundy Thursday, at 9:30am, the Archbishop will celebrate the Chrism Mass, during which the oils used in the administra- tion of the sacraments will be blessed until next year's Maun- dy Thursday. During Mass, the diocesan and religious priests will renew their ordination vows. This celebration will be broadcast live on TVM, Knisja. mt and Newsbook Malta. In the evening, at 6:00pm, the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord's Supper will be held and the Archbishop will follow Jesus' example and wash the feet of several representatives of the faithful. At the end of the Mass, the Archbishop will place the Blessed Sacrament in the chap- el of repose for adoration by Christians. This celebration will be broadcast live on TVM, radio station RTK103, Knisja. mt and Newsbook Malta. On Friday, 18th April, Good Friday, at 9:30am, the Arch- bishop will lead the Liturgy of the Hours and Morning Praise. This celebration will be broadcast live on TVM+, Knisja.mt and Newsbook Mal- ta. At 3:30pm, he will then lead the Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Our Lord, which in- cludes the account of the Pas- sion according to St John, the adoration of the cross and holy communion. This celebration will be broadcast live on radio station RTK103, Knisja.mt and Newsbook Malta. On Saturday, 19th April, Easter Saturday, at 9:30am, the Archbishop will lead the Litur- gy of the Hours and Morning Praise. This celebration will be broadcast live on TVM, Knisja. mt and Newsbook Malta. At 8:00pm, he will lead the Litur- gy of the Easter Vigil. The cel- ebration will begin on the par- vis of St John's Co-Cathedral with the blessing of new fire, followed by the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of Baptism, and the Liturgy of the Eucha- rist. During this celebration, the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (baptism, confirma- tion and holy communion) will be administered to adults. This celebration will be broadcast live on TVM+, radio station RTK103, Knisja.mt and News- book Malta. On Sunday, 20th March, East- er Sunday, at 9:30am, the Arch- bishop will celebrate the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. This celebration will be broad- cast live on TVM, radio station RTK103, Knisja.mt and News- book Malta. Liturgical celebrations led by the archbishop during easter On Sunday, 20th March, Easter Sunday, at 9:30am, the Archbishop will celebrate the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord (Archdiocese of Malta/Evan Demicoli)