Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) has announced that it is organising a series of events throughout the month of May to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta giving both FAA members and non-members the opportunity to learn more about one of the most notable periods of Malta’s history.

Opening with a seminar on Saturday 16th May, leading experts in the field – Dr Theresa Vella, Dr Stephen C. Spiteri, Prof. Denis de Lucca, Dr Albert Ganado, Dr Emanuel Buttigieg, Mr Joseph Schirò and Mr Dane Munro – will discuss aspects of The Great Siege as seen through the frescoes of Matteo Perez d’Aleccio.

Matteo Perez d ‘Aleccio was an Italian painter who specialised in devotional and historic themes. In 1576, he was invited to Malta by Grand Master Fra Jean de la Cassiere to embellish the Sala del Gran Consiglio, at the newly constructed Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, with significant episodes of the Great Siege.

It is through d’Aleccio’s twelve frescoes that we can witness some of the most significant episodes which took place during the Great Siege of 1565. Based on contemporary accounts of the siege, his works reveal a comprehensive visual narrative of the state of the fortifications and other military quarters, the types of armour, weapons and costumes worn, and some tactics which were used during this crucial campaign. During this seminar expert speakers in the field will elaborate on these various themes.

Venue: St John’s Cavalier, Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Ordnance Street, Valletta.

Time: 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

Admission fee: € 15.00 inclusive of refreshments.

In collaboration with the Birgu Local Council, FAA will also bring some of the Great Siege episodes back to life through a walking tour which will depart from Valletta, crossing to Birgu Città Vittoriosa by dghajsa (traditional harbour boat) on Saturday 23rd May, visiting both major and unfamiliar Great Siege sites.

Participants in these tours will cross the Grand Harbour on dghajjes – traditional Maltese harbour boats – and disembark at the Sally Port in Vittoriosa.

The guided tours of this town will comprise visits to the major sites related to the Great Siege such as the medieval Collachio, and will include areas which are not usually open to the public such as the Monastery of Santa Skolastika which was the first hospital of the Order in Malta, the cavaliers of St John and St James, and il-Brexxja, where the Ottomans breached the fortifications and were resisted by the knights led by Grand Master Jean de Valette.

The tours will end with refreshments at the Auberge de France, premises of the Vittoriosa Local Council, and a return boat ride to Valletta.

Due to space limitations TWO TOURS will be held ON THE SAME AFTERNOON and they are restricted to FAA members only. See below for departure times and kindly book accordingly.

These tours are organised in collaboration with the Birgu Local Council.

Meeting point: Valletta Barriera Wharf

Tour 1

Meeting time 2:45 pm

Departure time 3:00 pm

Return time: 5:30 pm

Tour 2

Meeting time 3:15 pm

Departure time 3:30 pm

Return time: 6:00 pm

Admission fee: € 20.00 inclusive of refreshments, boat trip and guide.

Booking details: Open only to FAA members.

To further commemorate this significant period in Malta’s history, FAA said that it is pleased to present Interpretations of the Great Siege, an art exhibition by Maltese-born artist Raymond Dominic Agius, to be held between the 19th and 29th May. Endorsed by Valletta 18 (V18), this exhibition will feature a series of paintings inspired by the historical writings of Dr Stephen C. Spiteri.

This art exhibition by contemporary artist Raymond Dominic Agius will be held between the 19th and 29th of May 2015 as part of the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta, during which a collection of paintings depicting scenes and personalities related to the Great Siege will be showcased. Based upon the historical writings of Dr Stephen C. Spiteri the paintings will be divided between portraits of principal protagonists and events of note involving action on both land and sea.

These paintings have been executed specifically for the book The Great Siege of Malta: Art and History, a new publication written and published by Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar to coincide with the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta. This exhibition is endorsed by Valletta 18 [V18] and it will be presented at the foyer of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Valletta.

Born in Malta in 1955, Raymond D. Agius is a versatile artist who specialises in portraiture as well as figurative, technical and military art. Apart from living in Malta the artist also resides in the US and Australia.

Venue: Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, 64 Republic Street, Valletta.

Viewing times: Mondays to Fridays 7:00 am – 06:00 pm

Admission fee: Free.

For this occasion FAA has written and published The Great Siege of Malta: Art and History, a book specially produced by FAA to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta.

Dr Stephen C. Spiteri’s talk on Is-Swar ta d’Aleccio – bejn arti u realtà will be held – this time in Maltese – in collaboration with ‘The Lodge’ and the Cospicua Local Council. This talk will be hosted at The Lodge, Cospicua, which is a 16th century residence built by a mysterious knight of the Order of St John. Date to be advised.

For further information and to book please visit www.faa.org.mt or https://ticketengine.faa.org.mt/

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