Important Cali paintings being restored

Is it possible to view the video for this report? It seems to have disappeared from the site?

The Cali paintings at Our Lady of Porto Salvo Church in Valletta are really wonderful and should be treasured by all Maltese. The ceiling of the Lija Parish Church was also adorned by Giuseppe Cali and is also in need of restoration. Shouldn't there be a foundation to take care of these priceless treasures that we have in our Churches.

The Church in Malta has always patronised all forms of art. Why shouldn't this foundation, if it is ever formed, take care of these forms of art, such as paintings and music, and make them better known to the public, both Maltese and foreign.

By the way, Fr Charles Vella is a Diocesan Priest. The Domenican Order has got another expert in such matters. He is Fr Marius Zerafa O.P.

It is with pleasure and sigh of relief that i read that the restoration of Cali's important Porto Salvo works is now truly at hand. It is a pity, however, that it comes too late in the day when great harm to the paintings has already been done through the utter neglect of many years. these paintings have been in this shameful state for too long, and in some areas, my friend Fr Charles Vella has a very difficult job. In the nave there are very sensitive areas that have gone missing.

It is also a very good sign on the part of the Dominican community that the previous disastrous 'restoration' programme has been aborted. This so-called 'restoration' which started with the pendentives beneath the dome saw the literal overpainting of Cali's work! During my various University on-site lectures in this church i had drawn the attention of the church's authorities and it is with satisfaction that one notices that common sense has now prevailed. Many lessons should be learnt from the Porto Salvo experience, especially in the selection of competent conservators.

I wish Fr Charles good luck in this delicate and prestigious commission that he has been entrusted with.