Foundation set up to restore dome of St Dominic's Church in Valletta

lgalea

Jul 26th 2009, 11:33

F.Williams
Thanks for the information re frescoes, but Mr Mark Sagona has amplified on your posting. As I said a Church had tried to get funds for the restoration of the Church which was in dire need of restoration as pieces were falling down, but according to the parish publication when they applied for eu funds they were informed that the eu does not give give funds. This is one of the incoherent reasoning in the eu because if you do not protect the Church itself, how can you protect its internal assets?
As for the Foundation I wish them good luck and congratulations on your initiatives. If only we could have more such initiatives because it make one cry when we see so much heritage aband9oned and being lost for ever.

Mark Sagona

Jul 25th 2009, 22:31

to F. Williams

The Cali Porto Salvo ceiling paintings are NOT frescoes. Giuseppe Cali painted his works in oil on prepared stone (and not on canvas stuck to the stone, as in the case of many other painters), as he did in most other similar commission in churches all over Malta and Gozo. That is why Cali's paintings have sufferred a lot, especially in churches which, like Porto Salvo, had water seepage which was not addressed for years on end.

The restoration project is indeed good news ... even though unfortunately the paintings have been been left in this dilapidated state for many years now and certain damage cannot be reversed.

F.Williams

Jul 25th 2009, 17:35

@lgalea
There is a EU fund dedicated to the restoration of frescoes. The Cali paintings in this Basilica are all frescoes and as such they do qualify for EU funding. About three years ago, I personaly asked Dr.Joseph Muscat for any info, which he very effeciently sent. Collection of funds were started years ago and must continue. One may also hope to get some help from the gov maybe through the "good causes fund". Good luck to the foundation and hope that they can realy manage in the restoration of these paintings. I also hope that many Dumnikani contribute to the project especially this coming week since we will be celebrating our Feast. For a detailed program of the feast and the basilica history pls visit www.sanduminku.com

lgalea

Jul 25th 2009, 14:15

A few years ago in one of the Church parish magazines in the South of Malta it was stated that when the parish had asked for eu funds due to the great expense required to repair the Church the answer from the eu was that it does not give money for such projects. The Church is now being repaired through money collected from the parishioners.

john abela

Jul 25th 2009, 12:53

prosit and keep it up

C.R. Taliana

Jul 25th 2009, 12:21

Finally some good news.