Simone Mizzi, President of Din l-Art Helwa, launched an appeal to the general public to ‘Join the Victory Team’ by donating funds to the restoration project for the Church of Our Lady of Victory. Appropriately, Din l-Art Helwa timed its appeal for the public to pay ‘Homage to History’ and presented its programme for the conservation of the church on the eve of ‘Il-Gandlora,’ which day, on the 2nd of February, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.

The Church of Our Lady of Victory, lovingly known as ‘Tal-Vitorja,’ is the first building, the first church and the first cemetery of Valletta. Built by Jean Parisot de Valette, Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in thanksgiving for his victory at the lifting of the Great Siege, it is dedicated it to the Blessed Virgin to whom de Valette had great devotion. It was his first resting place, when he died in 1568. The church commemorates two victorious episodes: that against the Ottoman invader whose fleet sailed away from Malta on the eve of 8th September 1565, and again on the 8th September 1943, when the Italian Fleet surrendered to the Allied Forces just outside Malta. In the religious calendar, 8th September celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, and is a day of festivity in Malta.

Over the years, the Order of the Knights of St John endowed the church with numerous treasures. The most important are the monumental ceiling paintings completed by the Maltese Baroque Artist, Alessio Erardi, in the early 18th Century. These depict various scenes from the Life of the Virgin. Yet, notwithstanding its religious and historical significance, this church and its works of art have suffered from neglect, from the ravages of time, grime and water infiltration and from the bomb blast that destroyed the nearby Opera House in WWII.

Mrs. Mizzi stressed that Din-l-Art-Hewla appeals for “Help to Save this National Treasure,” with which it has been entrusted by the Government of Malta, so as to preserve it for future generations of worshipers and visitors. She appealed for help to raise the large sums of money needed to bring ‘Il-Vitorja’ back to its former glory. She also made a call for volunteers to help keep the church open for longer hours.

Donations to the Church of Our Lady of Victory will help Din l-Art Helwa to:

finance the conservation of the important ceiling paintings by Alessio Erardi.

restore the ground floor walls and uncover any existing murals on the perimeter

treat the infested woodwork and stop decay to monuments and altars

reinstate the 18th century organ

endow the crypt with a dignified entrance to mark the first burial place of Grand Master de Valette.

restore the many works of art that testify the great religious devotion in which this church was held

create interpretation schemes and a small museum to display its works of art.

Donations to ‘Tal-Vitorja’ can be effected through:

Direct transfer to the Our Lady of Victory Account at HSBC 008-082166-001.

By sending a cheque to the Treasurer, Din l-Art Helwa, 133 Melita Str., Valletta,

By direct donation in the Donation Box and by signing the Victory Book at Our Lady of Victory Church, Victory Square, Valletta (first church on the left off Castille Square).

All supporters become part of THE VICTORY TEAM and will be acknowledged on the Our Lady of Victory Church Website. For more information write to victory@ourladyofvictory.org.mt

There is an opportunity for the public to experience a guided tour of the Alessio Erardi ceiling, which are taking place this Saturday the 4th of February 10.00-16.00 and Sunday the 5th of February 10.00-13.00.

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