Statue of Aeneas for Lower Barracca

The Grand Harbour yesterday welcomed a new guardian - Aeneas, the Greek mythology character of a Mediterranean sailor who is a symbol of diversity, adventure, perseverance, courage and cultures.

A giant bronze statue of Aeneas, which is nearly 5 m high and 2.5 m wide, was unveiled at the Lower Barracca Gardens by President Guido de Marco in his last public activity as President.

The statue - cast in a Rome foundry - was donated to the Maltese government by the Società Dante Alighieri, under the patronage of Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. The society, which has a branch in Malta, promotes the Italian language and culture throughout the world.

An identical statue has been put up at Fiumicino in Italy, representing the cultural twinning between Valletta and the region of Lazio and between Malta and Italy. A similar cultural twinning was made some years ago with the statue of Ulysses between the Lazio region and New York.

Professor Franco Lanza, a former Professor of Italian Literature at the University of Malta, dwelt on the figure of Aeneas who, according to legend, was the forefather of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. Aeneas and his wanderings in the Mediterranean after the fall of Troy are the subject of a famous epic by the great Roman poet Virgil.

Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier said it was very prestigious for Valletta to have been chosen after New York for such an initiative. He had no doubt that the statue of Aeneas would always be a symbol of reciprocal commitment and collaboration between the two countries.

Dr Borg Olivier said the bronze statue was priceless in terms of commercial value because the sculptor, Ugo Attardi - an Italian of Maltese descent - was one of the greatest 20th century contemporary artists in Italy and worldwide.

Proessor de Marco spoke about Valletta, where he was born and bred, and said the capital city's history "makes us proud to be Maltese".

The President mentioned the diplomatic relations between Italy and Malta and the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, which he described as very important. He said that with EU membership Malta would no longer be an island but become a part of Europe. Malta's place in Europe was more important because of its Mediterranean dimension.

A message from the Italian President was read by special envoy Bruno Bottai. President Ciampi praised Professor de Marco and expressed his hope that the new President would follow in his predecessor's footsteps.

Dr Borg Olivier said that in Professor de Marco he saw a number of Aeneas's virtues - fortitude, perseverance, courage and hope.

Dr Borg Olivier said a similarity also existed between the President and the statue's sculptor. The mayor said through art and politics, Mr Attardi and Professor de Marco yesterday left a positive mark for the people and future generations representing life, perseverance and courage.