Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/859132
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 9 AUGUST 2017 17 THROUGHOUT the spring of 2018 the Grand Master's Pal- ace in Valletta, which will then be the European Capital City of Culture, will open its doors to a remarkable collection confronting the work of two major Spanish artists of the 20th century: Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. This exhibition will be part of a major inter- national project "Picasso-Mé- diterranée", an initiative from Musée national Picasso-Paris, which is an international cul- tural event held from Spring 2017 to Spring 2019. Over sixty cultural institutions have come together to conjure up a programme around the Medi- terranean work of Pablo Pi- casso. Initiated by the Musée national Picasso-Paris, this journey into the creation of the artist and across the places which inspired him, aims at strengthening ties between all the shores. The exhibition is being brought to Malta by Fundación MAPFRE who believe that cul- ture enriches people's lives and one of its principle aims is to bring art and history closer to the public through exhibi- tions, courses and publica- tions. Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti (FPM) will be collaborat- ing with Fundación MAPFRE and the Office of the President of Malta who is kindly making available the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta for the set- up of the exhibition 'Picasso and Miró: The Flesh and The Spirit' - the first of its kind to be displayed in Malta.. Pablo Picasso was one of the greatest and most influential artists of the twentieth century. He has a worldwide reputation and his works fetch the highest prices at auction houses. The exhibition comprises a suite of a hundred etchings produced by Picasso in the 1930s for the legendary art dealer, Am- brose Vollard; and over forty paintings by Miró, in a bid to explore the different possibili- ties which modern art offered them. Pablo Jiménez Burillo, Director of the Culture Depart- ment at Fundación MAPFRE and curator of the show, ex- plains: "This project intends to display something more than a show of two of the most sig- nificant creators of the 20th century who really shook up traditional art. This exhibition not only tries to delve into the soul of the artists through their powerful passions, feelings and inspirations, but also it will demonstrate the significance of their personal universes, full of symbols, which depict their personalities. While Picasso unties the dark forces of the male obsessions and delights in female beauty, Miró instructs us in pure colors and free ges- tures, which represent the gen- erosity of nature and the key to attain happiness. Fundación MAPFRE in col- laboration with the Office of the President of Malta and Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti (FPM) is offering this unique chance for those interested to learn more about Picasso and Miró: The Flesh and the Spirit. The exhibition will open to the public on 7th April and will run until 30th June 2018 at the Grand Master's Palace in Val- letta, Malta. For more information con- tact Ana Zammit Munro [AnaZ@middlesea.com] Events AROUND the world, Mid- summer or Solstice has been celebrated since the 12th century. As one of the most traditional pagan ritu- als, Midsummer commemo- rates the longest day in the northern hemisphere. More than anywhere, the celebration is a huge part of society in the Nordic states where the short, dark days of winter are forgotten and re- placed with the warm light- filled days and the fruits and harvests of summer. Across the globe, Swedes celebrate by coming together to dance, share food and, of course, drinks. In Malta, Ab- solut Vodka teamed up with Stil Promotions and Medasia Playa to make the Midsum- mer Celebrations a party to remember, for both Swed- ish and Maltese partygoers. It's not Absolut Midsummer without eating and singing while you drink shots. The event also saw the launch of Absolut Lime, a lime flavoured vodka made with natural ingredients. Fresh and fruity with a dis- tinct note of freshly pressed lime, Absolut Lime is perfect for refreshing drinks that taste like expertly crafted cocktails. For more details about the Midsummer event or Abso- lut Lime log on to https:// w w w.facebook.com/Abso- lut.Malta. Absolut is imported, mar- keted and distributed by Farsons Beverage Imports Company (FBIC) Limited. Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti collaborates in a major exhibition on Picasso and Miró organised by Fundación MAPFRE Hamrun Scouts Group on cultural tour of Gozo sites 52 members of the 1st Ham- run Scout Group recently vis- ited the sister island of Gozo on a cultural, educational and social tour. The contingent came from the Group's Beavers section, Cub Scout Pack and the Scouts Troop. Accompanied by the respective sections' leaders, the scouts had holy mass at the Ta' Pinu Nation- al Shrine, followed by a walk around Victoria and the re- cently restored bastions of the walled Cittadella. The enjoyable day was capped off with time at Ramla l-Hamra bay. Registered in 1913, the 1st Hamrun Scout Group forms part of the Central District within the Scout Associa- tion of Malta, and it has over a 100 members of all ages. They will be holding their annual summer camp under canvas this year between this Friday and Monday 19 August. The Hamrun Scout Group members at the Ta' Pinu Sanctuary in Gozo Absolut celebrates Midsummer in Malta Carmelo Briffa, secretary to the presidency, and Fundacion Mapfre managing director Pablo Jimenez signed the memorandum of understanding on 7 September 2016