On the 21st of February, the historic Manoel Theatre, which back on the 9th of July 1965 was the scene of the launch of Din l-Art Helwa, will again provide the appropriate background for the celebration of the organisation’s Golden Jubilee, with a concert commemorating that important event.

A build-up to the launch of this celebratory year by the heritage and environment NGO has been underway for some time, with the 50th Anniversary Committee, led by Din l-Art Helwa Council Member, Albert P Mamo, mapping out a series of cultural and educational events, a special corporate logo has also been designed.

The Gran Soccorso Art exhibition heralded the year at the Casino Maltese, Valletta, in November 2014 and just last week, a new Mediterranean grove of 200 indigenous trees was planted at Majjistral Park to augur environmental sustainability for our countryside so heavily threatened by the onslaught of poor planning and inappropriate development.

Born at a time when conservation of heritage was still a relatively new concept and soon after the island achieved independence, Din l-Art Helwa was founded by a group of visionary citizens, all volunteers, led by Judge Maurice Caruana Curran who were concerned with the preservation of the island’s rich built and natural heritage as the island’s architecture and open spaces came under attack from the fast economic boom brought by tourism.

The organisation said that it has been true to its mission ever since and has gone on to save forty national monuments and landmarks and several works of art since its foundation, succeeding in heightening awareness through its example, and by constantly lobbying with the authorities for improved legislation, education and enforcement.

For the concert at Teatru Manoel on the 21st of February, at 8.00pm, Din l-Art Helwa has enlisted the presence of world-renowned violinist Carmine Lauri who will perform together with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Mro. Brian Schembri.

The concert is under the Distinguished Patronage of HE. The President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and has been made possible by the HSBC Malta Foundation with the support of the Teatru Manoel. Booking is through the Teatru Manoel.

This will also be the occasion for the launch of a marvellous hard-cover book entitled ‘Din l-Art Helwa, Heritage Saved, 1965-2015′ by Stanley Farrugia Randon. The author, who is a DLH council member and is the guardian of Wignacourt Tower in St Paul’ Bay, recounts fifty years of Din l-Art Helwa’s efforts and achievements.

It is a homage to the passionate work of the six Executive Presidents and of the hundreds of volunteers who have dedicated thousands of hours to the preservation of this ‘Our beautiful land.’

DLH said that orders for this book, which has been published with the support of the Francis Miller Memorial Fund, will be taken during the interval of the concert and all funds will be in favour of Din l-Art Helwa’s restoration projects.

Several other events will take place as the year unfolds, including the launch of a Golden Jubilee commemorative postage stamp in collaboration with MaltaPost on the 9th of July. This will constitute a unique piece for philately aficionados.

A public talk in September will be given at the Old University of Malta in Valletta by guest lecturer and keynote speaker, the environment and planning lawyer Simon Molesworth, QC, President of the International National Trusts Organisation who will visit Malta for the occasion.

September will see the opening of the old doors of Our Lady of Victory Church for the public to view the Alessio Erardi ceiling in all its glory. The scaffolding, which has been hiding the ceiling, has for years been the workplace of the conservators from the Courtauld Institute of Art, London.

The magnificence of the scenes of the life of the Blessed Virgin, painted on the vaulted stone ceiling by Alessio Erardi, are bound to alter the pages written about Malta’s history of art. The saving of this masterpiece is probably, Din l-Art Helwa’s most precious achievement and this will aptly be celebrated in October with a concert at Our Lady of Victory Church, the oldest building and first church in Valletta.

For Din l-Art Helwa and for all who love and care for this precious archipelago, 2015 will, be a year to celebrate and to augur well for the future.

Din l-Art Helwa concluded by saying that it invites members of the public to become Heritage Guardians by joining it on Facebook and Twitter, following its Facebook Save the Countryside Campaign, or by becoming members or volunteers.

To know more about the organisation and the historic sites it has restored for the nation visit www.dinlarthelwa.org.

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