Going for silver
Natasha Turner celebrates the 25th anniversary of what has become a Mosta institution
Malta is gifted with several organisations that work for the benefit of the community.
One of these is the Għaqda Filantropika Talent Mosti which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its founding this year.
From the very beginning, the main aim was to work for the good and merriment of the Maltese community and it was involved in stage plays and general cultural activities, in order to help less fortunate groups or families.
Among some of the early video productions that the society produced were Wenzu u Rożi, Il-Praspar ta' Ġaħan, a documentary about Good Friday and the feast of the Assumption of Mosta.
Thousands of videos of these productions were sold to the emigrants, and as a result, over the years, the Għaqda Filantropika Talent Mosti donated thousands of liri to Dar tal-Providenza.
From a small local organisation, it grew quickly to a national level with even bigger activities. On August 10, 1998, the then Minister of Education Evarist Bartolo allowed the society to operate from the Razzett tal-Markiż in Triq Wied il-Għasel, to use the place for cultural activities.
Since then, the organisation has held hundreds of art exhibitions, literary evenings and other events to promote new talent and present to the public known and less well known artists.
All the activities are held with the full cooperation of the Head and Council of the Lily of the Valley school next door to the razzett.
A permanent exhibition of original old tools and artifacts is also on the premises. The razzett itself is a beautiful 18th Century building, which is maintained by the active volunteers committee and members.
Many writers and artists feel that this place truly deserves the title of the Centre for National Culture.
This building was originally cundemned to be bulldozed, but with the intervention of the then Minister of Education and Environment, Daniel Micallef in 1986, it was saved. Later on, other ministers like Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Louis Galea, continued to restore and enhance the building.
To celebrate the first 25 years of its activities, the society has prepared a programme full of activities including exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, photography, literary evenings, plus the unveiling of various busts of some of those who have contributed to our culture and literature. Among the busts found at the Razzett tal-Markiż are those of Ġorġ Zammit, author of Wenzu u Rożi, that of the last Markiż to occupy these premises, a bust of Frans Baldacchino il-Budaj and one of the Mosta artist and writer, Sammy Calleja.
Various Maltese Presidents, Prime Ministers, ministers, politicians, mayors, bishops and other personalities have visited or inaugurated various exhibitions and all feel that the hard work of this organisation encourages all those who appreciate art and culture and brings joy to the community.
In addition to this, a book entitled Għaqda Filantropika Talent Mosti, written by Louis Vassallo has been published and launched this May at the razzett. The book, which is divided into 20 different categories, is full of photos and information about all the activities which have been organised at the razzett.
For more information about Għaqda Filantropika Talent Mosti and its membership, please contact alfredgrech@ onvol.net. Members will receive invitations to all the activities that are held at the Razzett tal-Markiż Mallia Tabone.
One of these is the Għaqda Filantropika Talent Mosti which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its founding this year.
From the very beginning, the main aim was to work for the good and merriment of the Maltese community and it was involved in stage plays and general cultural activities, in order to help less fortunate groups or families.
Among some of the early video productions that the society produced were Wenzu u Rożi, Il-Praspar ta' Ġaħan, a documentary about Good Friday and the feast of the Assumption of Mosta.
Thousands of videos of these productions were sold to the emigrants, and as a result, over the years, the Għaqda Filantropika Talent Mosti donated thousands of liri to Dar tal-Providenza.
From a small local organisation, it grew quickly to a national level with even bigger activities. On August 10, 1998, the then Minister of Education Evarist Bartolo allowed the society to operate from the Razzett tal-Markiż in Triq Wied il-Għasel, to use the place for cultural activities.
Since then, the organisation has held hundreds of art exhibitions, literary evenings and other events to promote new talent and present to the public known and less well known artists.
All the activities are held with the full cooperation of the Head and Council of the Lily of the Valley school next door to the razzett.
A permanent exhibition of original old tools and artifacts is also on the premises. The razzett itself is a beautiful 18th Century building, which is maintained by the active volunteers committee and members.
Many writers and artists feel that this place truly deserves the title of the Centre for National Culture.
This building was originally cundemned to be bulldozed, but with the intervention of the then Minister of Education and Environment, Daniel Micallef in 1986, it was saved. Later on, other ministers like Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Louis Galea, continued to restore and enhance the building.
To celebrate the first 25 years of its activities, the society has prepared a programme full of activities including exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, photography, literary evenings, plus the unveiling of various busts of some of those who have contributed to our culture and literature. Among the busts found at the Razzett tal-Markiż are those of Ġorġ Zammit, author of Wenzu u Rożi, that of the last Markiż to occupy these premises, a bust of Frans Baldacchino il-Budaj and one of the Mosta artist and writer, Sammy Calleja.
Various Maltese Presidents, Prime Ministers, ministers, politicians, mayors, bishops and other personalities have visited or inaugurated various exhibitions and all feel that the hard work of this organisation encourages all those who appreciate art and culture and brings joy to the community.
In addition to this, a book entitled Għaqda Filantropika Talent Mosti, written by Louis Vassallo has been published and launched this May at the razzett. The book, which is divided into 20 different categories, is full of photos and information about all the activities which have been organised at the razzett.
For more information about Għaqda Filantropika Talent Mosti and its membership, please contact alfredgrech@ onvol.net. Members will receive invitations to all the activities that are held at the Razzett tal-Markiż Mallia Tabone.