Tuesday, 21st October 2008 - 08:16CET
Knights of Malta exhibition opens in the heart of Paris
An exhibition that gives a taste of Malta’s rich history as the home of the Knights of St John was opened last night at the Hotel des Invalides in the heart of Paris.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who inaugurated the exhibition, said it not only showcased Malta’s rich cultural history, but it also symbolised the deep and long-standing relationship that exists between France and Malta.
Titled 'Between the Battlesword and the Cross: Masterpieces of the Armoury of Malta', the exhibition is one of the highlights of the cultural season of the French EU Presidency and features artefacts from the museums managed by Heritage Malta as well as from the Invalides, the Musée de la Marine, Epernay, and the Royal Armouries, Leeds.
Among them are suits of armour, cannon, paintings and the sword and dagger of Grand Master La Valette, from the Louvre Museum.
A public conference is also being organised with various speakers from Malta, France and the UK.
Dr Gonzi said that it was by further exploiting its heritage that Malta would like to continue transforming itself into a unique Mediterranean tourist destination.
The Prime Minister praised the collaboration which exists between Malta and France in education. He also observed that France is one of Malta’s top three trading partners and trade between the two countries remains healthy.
“In spite of this, there is still room for improvement. Malta continues to invest in creating an enabling environment that has the potential to foster new business activity with France and attract high quality investment, especially in our fast-growing high value-added sectors.”
Dr Gonzi thanked Maltese Ambassador Vicki Ann Cremona, who together with the respective French and Maltese authorities made this exhibition possible.
“Let us use this exhibition not only as a recollection of our past and common heritage but, it should also engender faith and hope in what is to come in the future through our shared effort and unity.”
The exhibition remains open until January 11.
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Comments
I do agree with paying in going in Museums as they need some income for someone to look after them but there should be some open day to encourage Maltese families to visit.
Thanks
Antonio
Thanks a lot for the information. Will save the link!
Here are the links:
http://www.louvre.fr/
Type *Malte* in the Search engine (top right)
http://cartelfr.louvre.fr/cartelfr/visite?srv=car_not_frame&idNotice=15600
http://cartelfr.louvre.fr/cartelfr/visite?srv=car_not_frame&idNotice=15597
and the small map on the right (+ notes) will show you exactly where they are exhibited .... note the info down for your next visit to the Louvre
Then why are other countries like Italy returning similar objects?
The reason is that we do not make enough pressure to get what is really ours and was STOLEN from Malta.
"Again look at today Govt. museums entry fees....do I as an ordinary Maltese citizen have some privileges?? I always stressed that these must be free at all costs or very minimal fee, for sure it gives a sense of belonging. (those who really care!!)."
You know why we have to pay Mr Fabri?
Because if other eu foreigners have to pay so do we because the eu would then claim that we are discriminating against its foreigners from other countries.
Neither can we pay less than other eu foreigners even though they are our heritage because it is again considered as discrimination.
That's the straight jacket that we have been led into with eu membership.
The bright side of this issue is that at least one could see these pieces on display. I can not ignore the large treasure taken from Malta that’s in the Nile delta. This treasure went down when Napoleon’s ships when they took a good beating from Lord Nelson’s ships. That is a real pity because very little have been brought up and the majority is still hidden in the silt.
I agree with you 200% in stating that Government property belongs to the people not to the persons running the government........unfortunately reality is proving us wrong.
Again look at today Govt. museums entry fees....do as an ordinary Maltese citizen I have some privileges?? I always stressed that these must be free at all costs or very minimal fee, for sure it gives a sense of belonging. (those who really care!!).
An interesting fact then, as I'm not sure if it's still like that, is; in the 'knights' armour display there is a large section titled "Knights of Malta, Rhodes period". The next section which is just as intense bears this title; "Knights of Malta, probably Malta period". Obviously, there were many English Knights in Rhodes and the armour can be justified as having belonged to them. But in Malta and after the Reformation! So how did all this armour end up in England? I'm not justifying it, on the contrary, but this was a common practice by all colonial powers and I know many Maltese who go on a holiday and bring back towels, shampoos and even Gidgeon's bible, that can be found in their hotel room/cabin.....!
Government property belongs to the people not to the persons running the government.
Therefore whatever the French, and for that matter the British, took from Malta belongs to us and should be returned to us as Italy has been returning artefacts taken from other countries during their colonial period.
This also applies to churches and art in churches. They are the property of the Maltese people and NOT the Vatican. The Vatican has absolutely NO right to take any or dispose of anything in Malta.
Not everyone can afford to fly to Paris to view the exhibition.
Maybe the French Embassy or those concerned, can make it available to us at a discount.
PS. Birgu houses the sword La Valette used as a warrior knight defending the island, I
would think that is more significant than any tokens bequeathed to the Grandmaster personally by the king of Spain.
Although speaking with my heart , I agree with all of you. But rationally it's another story.
La Vallette sword belonged personally to him / to the Order ,and since the French was governing the island...all 'govt ' properity was theirs. (unluckily).
We do not go far...if vatican fancy a niece work of art in a maltese church ...he is the owner!!!.
Rationally this belongs to the Maltese.
How many know that in mid 19th century, excavating for foundations at Bighi , punic tombs came to surface and some clever Englishman took away the ONLY Maltese antiques related to Egyptology, if i'm not mistaken 3 in nr lapids. These are now at the British Museum, locked in a cabinet in private collection.. .......To add insult .
And by the same argument that the Louvre is famous, should we transfer our "Beheading of St. John" to the Uffizzi? This is an excellent opportunity to return this important part of Maltese history to Malta where it will be really displayed with prominence. And it will be a way of showing an apology for all the ransacking done by the French during their two years in Malta.
Having said that it would be a wonderful gesture from their behalf to return just ONE of the artifacts that are displayed in the Louvre which are rightfully ours
I've been to the Louvre...and tried to look for the famous sword but couldn't find it anywhere. I asked custodians but still couldn't tell me where it was exibithed...guess it's not that important for them! On the other hand we make a big fuss because we have La Vallette's hat at the Oratory in Vittoriosa....just imagine if we had the sword what a publicity!!!
It would imply official recognition by the Maltese Government of the Louvre (France) being the rightful owner. Unless this was excluded explicitly in the agreement for the loan, it would mean that Malta has renounced irrevocably to its claim to the historical items.