Free BOV mini-concert and restoration talk at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary

As part of its ongoing 50th-anniversary celebrations, Bank of Valletta has announced a fifth mini-concert, marking the first event of this series to be held in Gozo.

Scheduled for Friday, the 18th of October, at 7pm, the evening is set to offer an unforgettable concert of classical music and a fascinating lecture on art restoration, “further cementing BOV’s commitment to cultural enrichment and community engagement across Malta and Gozo,” the Bank said.

This concert, featuring the renowned Cordia String Quartet and acclaimed Harpist Jacob Portelli, is part of a series of anniversary events previously held in prominent locations across Malta, including Valletta, Kalkara, Tarxien, and Siggiewi.

A remarkable repertoire of classical music is promised for the concert, including Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor, RV 522 by Antonio Vivaldi, Händel’s Harp Concerto, as well as Harp Sinfonia Concerto by Johann Christian Bach, and Double Violin Concerto by Johann Sebastian Bach.

In addition to the musical performances, the evening will also highlight the Bank’s longstanding commitment to preserving Maltese heritage. Guests will be treated to a lecture by Godwin Cutajar, the esteemed art conservator, responsible for the restoration of an impressive set of twenty paintings by Emvin Cremona, the prominent 20th-century artist.

The paintings, completed between 1954 and 1962, were originally hung in Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary before being sent to Italy for mosaic reproductions. These works were rediscovered after being stored for years in poor conditions, leading to significant damage.

The restoration efforts, undertaken with the Bank’s support in 2006 ^[1], brought these valuable pieces of Maltese art history back to life. Godwin Cutajar will provide insight into the meticulous process of restoring these 20 paintings, many of which suffered from tears, holes, cracks, and dirt.

His lecture 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 explained, “We are delighted to bring this cultural event to Gozo, strengthening our 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 experiences of art and heritage. BOV remains committed to deepening our outreach and presence across Malta and Gozo, and this event is a reflection of this commitment.”