Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/803478
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 26 MARCH 2017 2 News MATTIA PRETI Cassola: Greens offered assimilation, not coalition PAUL COCKS ALTERNATTIVA Demokratika remains open to form a coalition ahead of the 2018 election, but what was currently be- ing proposed to the Green Patry was only a full assimilation into another party and not a coalition, chairperson Arnold Cas- sola said yesterday. Cassola, who was speaking at the end of the party's annual general meeting, said that AD understood a coalition to mean the coming together of two or more par- ties to present a common electoral pro- gramme under a new common party name and symbol. "Each party would maintain its identity but would join forces with others under a common name," he said. "But what is be- ing proposed is assimilation and not a co- alition, as what is being suggested is that AD candidates join another party list." In recent weeks, there has been grow- ing talk of AD and MP Marlene Farru- gia's nascent Democratic Party forming a coalition with the Nationalist Party, with former Green Party leader Michael Briguglio, today a Sliema local councillor, arguing that this was the only way of get- ting smaller parties elected in Parliament. In a veiled attack on the PN's track re- cord, Cassola said that AD's coalition partner would also need to be "a perfect example of good governance" and would need to clear any doubts about its integri- ty "that seem to arise nearly every week." He also hit out at the Labour Party for refusing to register with the Electoral Commission and to adhere to party fi- nancing legislation it had itself created. On the other hand, Cassola said, the Nationalist Party was wrong to try and justify large corporate donations as a pay- ment for services rendered by its com- mercial arm, since party financing leg- islation made it clear that commercial subsidiaries were also included. "This party (AD) definitely does not have any hidden donations or money paid for services to some subsidiary com- mercial entity," he said. "We have also re- mained consistent and true to our values throughout our existence." In another barb at the PN – whose MP Toni Bezzina was forced to withdraw a permit application for development on a plot in an Outside Development Zone (ODZ) area after becoming public – Cas- sola said that the AD was against ODZ development, and that its members would not be the ones to go ahead and build in ODZ areas. "If we are against a project given in concession to the Sea- bank Group, we do not then go and rep- resent them in negotiations with the gov- ernment," he said, referring to PN deputy leader Mario de Marco's brief for the db Group. Cassola said that AD's environmental values and policies were drawn up with the wellbeing of future generations in mind. He said the party also remained com- mitted to a social justice that protected the weak and would continue to question decisions that saw Konrad Mizzi's wife given €13,000 a month, or the db Group given a seven-year interest-free period to pay a mere €10 million concession. Cassola called for 'legal' donations to ensure that AD could present a viable al- ternative to Joseph Muscat or Simon Bu- suttil. "We are offering our availability to contribute to a much-needed change in the country," he said. V18 Foundation clinches Melina Mercouri prize and €1 million grant MALTA'S capital city has won the Valletta 2018 Foundation a €1 million cash grant after clinching the Melina Mercouri prize, this newspaper has learnt. The purpose of the Melina Mercouri In- ternational Prize (UNESCO-Greece) is to reward outstanding examples of action to safeguard and enhance the world's major cultural landscapes. The prize was awarded in recognition of the work carried out by Valletta 2018 to highlight the richness and cultural diversity of Valletta. Valletta 2018 executive chairman Jason Micallef would not confirm or deny news of the prize. "It would be very good news in- deed, and hopefully well deserved," Micallef said. It is named after the Greek actress Melina Mercouri, who later went on to become a Greek minister of culture in the Greek par- liament. She was the person who inspired the launch of the European capital initiative in 2018. The decision was taken by the European Capitals of Culture panel in Brussels as part of its final assessment of the preparations and progress of the Valetta 2018 Founda- tions towards Valletta being the European Capital of Culture in 2018. The panel commended Valletta for the preparation, the ongoing economic and social regenerations and its strong cultural programme. Melina Mercouri Heritage Malta 'would not have considered purchase' CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ARGUMENTS were made that other Preti paintings were available on the market which were far cheaper than the painting in- dicated for purchase by the Gozo ministry: Sotheby's was indeed estimating to sell the painting between $200,000 and $300,000, but ended up selling it to the Gozo ministry for $396,500. Refalo is himself a collector, but was said to have lobbied uncompromisingly for the painting when initial doubts were expressed on the acquisition. The bid for the Preti masterpiece, painted in early part of the 1670s, was made over the phone and was purchased through Sotheby's from a private collection in London. The purchase is one of the largest single purchases by a Maltese ministry for any one painting. Heritage Malta's own list of acqui- sitions since 2014, provided by the authority itself, is of €388,000 alone, and that includes the €75,000 acquisition for the Preti self- portrait last year. The new Preti acquisition has not been transported to Malta yet. In comments to MaltaToday, minister An- ton Refalo quoted the advice that Heritage Malta ultimately gave to his ministry, as a justification for the extravagant purchase. "Considering the price and the number of Pretis already in its collection, Heritage Mal- ta would not have considered its purchase. "However since this piece is earmarked for the Gozo Museum collection, which does not hold any Preti painting, and keeping in mind also that Preti was extremely impor- tant for the development of Baroque art in the Maltese islands, such painting would therefore certainly feature prominently in the Gozo museum storyline. "And finally that funding is being sourced separately by MGOZ. Heritage Malta does not have any objection with the recommen- dation of the Acquisitions Committee to try acquiring this painting. In our opinion, the bid should be capped at €350,000." Minister Refalo confirmed the paint- ing was eventually purchased for $320,000, which increased to $396,500 when taking into consideration taxes and premiums. The minister also said the delivery and insurance would cost an additional $4,711. The minister for justice and culture, Owen Bonnici, confirmed when asked by MaltaTo- day that the Gozo museum was part of the brief under Heritage Malta. He had not been involved in any decision on the purchase of the Mattia Preti but he knew that Heritage Malta had confirmed the authenticity of the painting and was consulted on the bid. He also said that Heritage Malta did not have such funds, so they were covered by funds acquired by the Gozo ministry. He also believed that the painting would serve the Gozo museum well and serve as an at- traction. There were two other paintings by Mat- tia Preti also for sale at Sotheby's and far cheaper, MaltaToday found, which includ- ed A Cavalry Skirmish estimated between $20,000 and $30,000 and Saint Jerome esti- mated between $30,000 and $40,000. The government has already announced plans to centralise all museums in Gozo and site them in the former Ninu Cremona secondary school in Victoria. The new mu- seum, which still has not been designed and tendered for, will host all the Gozitan muse- ums under one roof. Sotheby's described the Preti painting acquired by Refalo's ministry as a broadly painted work which has been restored and should be hung in its current state. The can- vas has a recent lining applied with glue. Un- der ultraviolet light, Sotheby's say that one can see retouching in the darker colors of the ghostly figure in the centre. The remain- ing faces are in good condition, showing on- ly a few spots of retouching. The painting, an oil on canvas, is 153cm by 196cm, has been exhibited in Torino and Taverna, Italy. Anton Refalo confirmed the painting was eventually purchased for $320,000, which increased to $396,500 when taking into consideration taxes and premiums. The minister also said the delivery and insurance would cost an additional $4,711 "Considering the price and the number of Pretis already in its collection, Heritage Malta would not have considered its purchase"