The second edition of the Gozo Arts Weekend is taking place later this month, and will focus on the work of artist Giuseppe Briffa with a programme of activities in locations across the island.

This three-day event is organised by L-Ghaqda Hbieb tal-Presepju Ghajnsielem, with the collaboration of the Ministry for Gozo and will be held between the 27th and 29th of January.

The public is invited to view paintings by this renowned artist which will be on temporary display.

Giuseppe Briffa was born in Birkirkara on the 12th of May 1901. He died on the 13th of January 1987.

At a very early age, with the help of Major A. E. James, he joined the St Elmo School (where Guzè Duca was teaching design) and there started his art education.

In 1923, Briffa’s grandfather, commissioned him to draw Canon Alphonse Borg. The Provost being very pleased with the result, invited him to paint two large panels for the Tal-Herba Chapel, Birkirkara.

He attended the Regia Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome (1925) and when he returned to Malta in 1930, Briffa was commissioned to paint two enormous lateral panels for the Augustinian Church in Victoria, Gozo.

Briffa’s greatest commission was to paint the ceiling and dome for the Senglea Basilica, which was completed in 1934. This was totally destroyed by enemy action in 1942. In 1931 he married Rosina Muscat and had two sons and five daughters.

In 1965 he was made Knight of the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem.

The programme is as follows:

Friday, 27th at Ta’ Pinu National Shrine

7:30pm – Vocal concert by soloists from Schola Cantorum Jubilate, followed by opening of an exhibition of paintings by Guzeppi Briffa inside the sacristy of Ta’ Pinu National Shrine.

Saturday, 28th

9:00am-5:00pm – An exhibition of paintings by Guzeppi Briffa at the Museum Il-Hagar, St George’s Square, Victoria.

10:00am-5:00pm – Churches displaying paintings by Guzeppi Briffa will be open to the public as shown below:

Kercem – Parish Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and St Gregory the Great

Gharb -Ta’ Pinu National Shrine

Ghajnsielem – Church of St Anthony of Padova Victoria and Church of St Augustine’s Convent

Victoria – Il-Hagar Museum

Sunday, 29th

9:00am-5:00pm – An exhibition of paintings by Guzeppi Briffa at the Museum Il-Hagar, St George’s Square, Victoria.

10:00am-1:00pm -| Churches as above displaying paintings by Guzeppi Briffa will be open to the public

4:00pm – Church of St Anthony of Padua, Ghajnsielem – A vocal concert by Baritone Charles Buttigieg, accompanied by Pianist Mariella Spiteri Cefai.

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