HERITAGE MALTA

CULTURAL CALENDAR
April 2013
Exhibitions
A Taste of France in South America: Maltese Naturalists in South America Mattia Preti Faith and Humanity (Taverna, Italy) Temple and Tomb: Prehistoric Malta, 3600-2500 BCE (New York) In the Sign of the Cross: Redemption and Inspiration Int Min Int? Who are You? The Influence of Nature on Arms and Armour during Medieval Mdina 23 Feb 31 March 2013 24 February 21 April 21 March 7 July 22 March 7 April 29 March 5 May 13 14 April

Events
Ghajn Tuffieha Roman Baths: Excavation Open Weekend Ghajn Tuffieha Roman Baths: Open Day Opening of Ta Hagrat Temples during Festa Frawli Mattia Preti Rediscovered UNESCO World Heritage Day 13-14 April 14 April 14 April 18 April 18 April

Children and Youth

Maintaining a Unique Culinary Tradition: Qassatat tal-Gid (Gozo) CLICK HERE to see full educational programme. 2 April Jan - April

Volunteering Opportunity
Take part in the Excavations at Ghajn Tuffieha Roman Baths and Ta Bistra Catacombs Oct 2012 Oct 2013

Recent Publications
Mattia Preti: Beyond the Self-Portrait De Soldanis: An Eighteenth Century Intellectual The Brocktorff Mapmakers Henry Mayo Bateman (1887-1970) - The Man who Loved Gozo Sandro Debono & Giuseppe Valentino Godwin Vella; Olvin Vella (ed.) A. Ganado; J. Schiro; C. Micallef Attard Bernadine Scicluna (ed.)

In the Media
Malta u lil hinn Minnha TVM, Sundays at 10.00hrs

23 February - 31 March A Taste of France in South America: Maltese Naturalists in South America An exhibition highlighting the recent expedition and scientific research carried out by the NMNH in French Guiana. Showing photographs, insect specimens, a large diorama depicting various wildlife from French Guiana, an 8 minute documentary and a display of the equipment used, this exhibition gives insights into the work of naturalists and the wildlife in this part of the world. At the National Museum of Natural History, Mdina. Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 09.00 17.00hrs (last admission 16.30hrs).

2 April Maintaining a Unique Culinary Tradition: Qassatat tal-Gid Everybody has heard, tasted and feasted on the traditional qassatat one time or another. This special qassatat recipe is unfortunately being forgotten and the only village in Malta and Gozo where Qassatat tal-Gid are still cooked is in fact in Xagra, Gozo. After an overview to help understand and appreciate the story behind this culinary tradition, the participants will have the opportunity to cook their own Qassatat. At Ta Kola Windmill, Xaghra, Gozo from 10.00 12.00hrs. Recommended Age: 10 14 years Maximum number of participants: 15 5. Culture Card accepted. By booking only.

24 February 21 April Mattia Preti Faith and Humanity (Italy) Opening on Mattia Pretis 400th birthday, this exhibition is the product of a joint collaboration between the National Museum of Fine Arts and Museo Civico di Taverna, with paintings loaned from leading European Insitutions, including the Prado (Spain), the Louvre (Paris), Museo di Capodimonte (Naples),Musei Vaticani (the Vatican, Rome), Uffizi(Florence). This international exhibition will arrive in Malta on the 3 May.

21 March 7 July Temple and Tomb: Prehistoric Malta, 36002500 BCE (New York) Organized by the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University in collaboration with Heritage Malta. Exhibition of funerary and ritual objects pertaining to the late temple period. Exhibition includes sculptures in stone and clay, decorative architectural reliefs, historic drawings, watercolors, and photographs. At the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, New York University, New York. For further information visit http://isaw.nyu.edu/exhibitions/malta/maltaexhibit-info

22 March 7 April In the Sign of the Cross: Redemption and Inspiration An exhibition focusing on the Crucifix theme. Symbol of faith and icon for centuries of battle, this temporary display focuses on the representation of the cross and its popular cult in the last century with a representative sample of modern and contemporary artworks. Opening Times: Monday-Sunday 9.30 -18.00hrs, last entry 17.45hrs. At Heritage Malta Showcase, Melita Street, Valletta. Entrance free.

29 March 5 May Int Min Int? Who Are You? Ten works from the Reserve Collection chosen to represent people living in Malta both from past and present. The main exhibits are portrait busts by twentieth-century pioneers, including Antonio Sciortino, George Borg and Vincent Apap. Opening times: 9.00hrs 17.00hrs (last entry: 16.30hrs). At the National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street. Entrance Free.

13-14 April The Influence of Nature on Arms and Armour during Medieval Mdina Medieval Mdina is a weekend long event organized by the Mdina Local Council. The National Museum of Natural History has put up this exhibition for the occasion, which will highlight natures influence on arms and armour through time. A number of activities for children related to this theme will also be held as part of Medieval Mdina. Special reduced prices: Adults/ Seniors/ Students 2.50. HM members and children under 12 years - Free. Opening times: 13 April: 09.00 21.00hrs (last entrance at 20.30hrs) 14 April: 09.00 17.00hrs (last entrance at 16.30hrs)

13-14 April Ghajn Tuffieha Roman Baths: Excavation Open Weekend Interested individuals who would like to participate on an authentic archaeological excavation may join the archaeological team during this weekend. Pre-booking is essential. Minimum of 4 and up to 8 volunteers per day will be accepted. Subject to weather conditions. Between 07.30-12.30 hours. Children must be over age 12 and anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. In order to book please contact Mr. Josef Caruana on josef.caruana@gov.mt . For further information visit or .

14 April Ghajn Tuffieha Roman Baths Open Day Tours are being organized around this Roman period baths complex. Visitors will be able to examine the remains and to meet the archaeologists who will explain the excavation works taking place on this site. By booking only. Tours will be conducted at 09.00, 10.00, 11:00 and 12:00 hrs with groups not larger than 12 people. Children must be accompanied. For booking please contact Mr. Ivan Bezzina by email on ivan.bezzina@gov.mt .

14 April Opening of Ta Hagrat Temples during Festa Frawli Festa Frawli is a day-long event organized by the Mgarr Local Council where local farmers and artisans sell their produce and of course strawberries and dishes made with strawberries. During this event Heritage Malta takes the opportunity to encourage locals and foreigners to visit the World Heritage Site of Ta Hagrat Temples, at the reduced price of 1. The site will be open between 09.00hrs 17.00hrs. Tours in Maltese: 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00hrs. In English: 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00hrs.

18 April Mattia Preti Rediscovered Heritage Malta and Istituto Italiano di Cultura present the results of the scientific investigations carried out on Mattia Preti's Martyrdom of St Catherine of Alexandria at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Speakers include senior curator Sandro Debono and conservator David Frank Bugeja. The scientific results will feature in the exhibition 'Mattia Preti: Faith and Humanity' opening at the State Rooms, The Palace (Valletta) on 3rd May. At the Istituto Italiano di Cultura at 18.30hrs.

18 April UNESCO World Heritage Day On the occasion of UNESCO World Heritage Day, the World Heritage sites managed by Heritage Malta (with the exception of the alSaflieni Hypogeum) will open free of charge. Opening Hours: Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park and Tarxien Temples 09:00hrs 17.00hrs. Guided tours will be offered at these sites as follows: 10.00 - Malti 12.00 - English 14.00 - English 16.00 - Malti The temples of Ta` arat and Skorba will be open between 09:00 - 17:00hrs. Due to the sensitivity of these sites, the maximum number of people who can enter each site on the day is 70. Once this quota has been reached the sites will be closed. Ggantija Temples (Gozo) will be open 09.0017.00hrs. 2 guided tours will be offered at 10.00hrs and 11.30hrs. A competition consisting of a quiz targeted at 8-12 year olds.

For more information on tours please view http://heritagemalta.wordpress.com/currentevents/current-events-2/

Take Part in a real life Excavation

Archaeological investigations are currently underway at Ghajn Tuffieha Roman Baths and Ta Bistra Catacombs Areas B and C as part of the EAFRD REBACA Project (323/12) The Rehabilitation of Roman Baths and Christian Catacombs Project. These excavations form part of the project studies that are necessary in view of increasing our archaeological knowledge about the sites as well as to feed into the information required for the construction of the necessary visitor infrastructure. For those who may be interested to participate in such an excavation as a volunteer, this is an opportunity not to be missed! Children must be over age 12 and anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The excavations are currently running daily from Monday to Friday between 07.30 15.30 hours. The studies shall continue all through winter up until December and are intended to continue during 2013. Since the excavations are being conducted in the open air, these are subject to weather conditions. The excavations are being directed by HM Archaeologists and all operations on site shall be executed solely under their direct guidance and supervision. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage will also be informed of the names of those who will be participating for any feedback which may be required. Equipment will be made available on site but interested individuals must come dressed with the right attire (sturdy shoes, hat and sun-block). All those interested in participating in this unique opportunity are requested to contact directly Mr. Josef Caruana, EAFRD Site Archaeologist by email on josef.caruana@gov.mt indicating their preferred availability (day/time). Considering the sensitivity of the excavation, no more than eight volunteers will be accepted on site at any given moment.

Recent Publications: Heritage Malta Members receive a 10% discount on marked price when purchasing from Heritage Malta museum shops.

Mattia Preti Beyond the Self Portrait A look at Mattia Preti as an artist and as a Knight of the Order of St John. The authors describe Mattia Pretis background and how his life sheds light on his self-portraits. Produced in two separate editions in Italian and English. Publishers: Midsea Books. 96pp. Full Colour. Price: 15. Available from the National Museum of Fine Arts and HM Showcase, Melita Street.