Raising money for garden upkeep

The Malta Stock Exchange has published a booklet about the Upper Barrakka gardens and the Garrison Chapel, now the Malta Stock Exchange, to raise money for the maintenance of the gardens.

The booklet gives a brief history of the gardens and the chapel and should serve as a guide to both tourists and locals. It is illustrated with original photographs of some of the historical events that shaped the history of this area in Valletta.

The stock exchange had undertaken to restore the main gate of the Upper Barrakka Gardens as part of the refurbishment programme of its new premises, formerly the Garrison Chapel.

The restoration of the gate was carried out by Italian firm Peter Cox Interventi, the same company that restored the façade and timber truss ceiling of the Garrison Chapel.

The stock exchange is also sponsoring the restoration of Les Gavroches, one of the last works of Maltese sculptor Antonio Sciortino, and has commissioned a bronze copy.

The stock exchange said the original sculpture was considered too valuable to be left out in the open and was to be exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta.

The bronze copy will be on display at the Barrakka Gardens instead of the original one.

When the Garrison Chapel was earmarked to house the stock exchange, the MSE committed itself to maintaining the surroundings of the building including the upkeep of the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

The booklet is for sale from all leading bookshops.