Logo for Pope's visit launched
Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas
The logo being used for Pope Benedict's visit to Malta on April 17 and 18 was launched this morning.
Mgr Charles Cordina told a news conference the logo used a lot of blue reflecting Malta's characteristic of being surrounded by sea, it included a boat, which represented St Paul's shipwreck, and the boat's mast was the cross. The colours of the boat and the mast were yellow and white, the colours of the Pope. The logo was very simple but catching and appropriate, he said.
A total of 17 people submitted 24 designs in a competition with 26-year-old Gozitan Mario Abela, a teacher at the St Theresa College in Birkirkara, emerging as the winner.
The theme chosen is "nevertheless, we must run aground on some island". It was chosen because it was closely related to the shipwreck of St Paul which was to be the focal point of the Pope's visit to Malta.
Pope Benedict shall be arriving in Malta on April 17 at 5 p.m., leaving the day after at 7 p.m.
He will be met at the airport by the President and will then be taken to the Palace in Valletta. A ceremony at St Paul's Grotto will be held.
The Pope's second major activity will be his meeting with young people at the Waterfront. Pope Benedict is expected to arrive at the Waterfront on a boat from Kalkara, Fr Savio Vella said.
Fr Vella said that gate at the Waterfrontwill open at 1 p.m. on April 18. The meeting will be at 5.15 p.m. but it will be preceded by a programme of activites. Even though open to the public, the event was aimed specifically at youths and a number of places were to be especially reserved for young people, who will eventually be able to register and book a place online.
Fr Jesmond Manicaro said the mass chosen for the Pope's visit was that composed and written by John Galea for the 25th anniversary celebration of the ordination of Gozo bishop Mario Grech. Six masses were submitted for consideration and the winner was picked up by a committee in Rome.
He said that two choirs - one made up of adults and another one with children were to be set up. The adult choir was to have 120 people, the children's choir 100. Auditions are being held at the Curia on January 29 and 30 for adults and on February 6 for children.
The St Monica Choir, led by St Benjamina Portelli, was chosen for the St Paul's Grotto celebrations.
Fr Anton Portelli said that a DVD and a book about the Pope's visit would be issued following the visit. Two medals, one silver plated and one silver, would also be availabe and people would be able to preorder.
The motto and logo can be downloaded from the Curia's website. The detailed programme of events will be made public on February 10.
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simon cutajar
Jan 10th 2010, 11:07
I didn't know about this ! if so I would draw a truck filled with tarmac , a tarmac truck laying tarmac on the streets where the pope is going to pass by and pope's logo on the side of each truck ! thank god the pope is coming back and please drive him towards un asphalted roads so maybe he complian to the authority's about the disastrous roads we have . Pagani a la maltija !
CFarrugia
Jan 10th 2010, 09:13
I don't know but this visit seems to be alienating the people from the problems of the country....the high prices where one cannot afford anything these days ,and the pays stay miserable....For me it is just a publicity, nothing more
M'anne Vella
Jan 9th 2010, 17:47
Please gzira has no tikka...
g (with tikka) sounds like the g of "genna" for example....
Jo Bartolo
Jan 9th 2010, 10:59
again i repeat what Andre Vella said ........ G in Gzira is written without the dot !!! .. I sincerely hope that it passed a spell-checker's eyes and it got noted and fixed BEFORE anything was sent for printing .........................
Lawrence Darmanin
Jan 8th 2010, 23:41
Congratulations to St.Monica Choir especially to Sr.Beniamina Portelli- choir director. Well done !!
Edward Scerri
Jan 8th 2010, 17:16
Knowing well both Mario Abela and especially Dr John Galea, I cannot but congratulate them both professionally and as fellow Gozitans. The Chorus Urbanus, of which I form part, and the King's Own Band are lucky to have such a musical director. The Chorus Urbanus is looking forward to participate once again in an intense rendition of this wonderful mass under the musical direction of Mro Galea during such a unique occasion! Well done to both.
Paul Scicluna
Jan 8th 2010, 16:29
Prosit and Congratulations to Mario Abela and Mro. Dr. John Galea.
renald williams
Jan 8th 2010, 15:43
May we visit daily our Lord’s New Testament: and the Epistles of His Apostle Paul;
so as to be surrounded more by Their words, as our focal point.
The Lord Jesus Christ said –
Everyone who comes to me and Hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid foundation on The Rock. Luke 6:47-48.
The Apostle Paul said –
A Rock of offense, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed. Romans 9:33.
The Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4.
Peace and health.
A. Borg
Jan 8th 2010, 15:40
Very nice. well done.
Mariella Rapa
Jan 8th 2010, 15:31
Well done Mario!
Tony Sant
Jan 8th 2010, 15:17
http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/?lang=en
kind of reminds me of the winning logo!
Andre Vella
Jan 8th 2010, 15:11
Logo semplici u sabih, pero il-G fi Gzira tinkiteb minghajr it-tikka...
R Azzopardi
Jan 8th 2010, 15:02
Well done Dr. John Galea !!!
R. Camilleri
Jan 8th 2010, 15:02
well done !!! simple but very effective, easy on the eye. Prosit
M Cassar
Jan 8th 2010, 14:43
It's really nice...simple. effective and dynamic. Proset :)
L Camilleri
Jan 8th 2010, 14:42
Congratulations to both Gozitans : Mario Abela and John Galea whose works were chosen to adorn the Pope's visit, well done. As for John Galea's Mass "picked up by a committee in Rome" is no mean feat and a great honour for Mro Galea.
Amanda Sherock
Jan 8th 2010, 14:24
Congratulations Mr Abela! The logo is perfect, technically and logically as it sums up the themes and representations of this visit.
Frans Sammut
Jan 8th 2010, 14:22
Good luck to all concerned!
a. sciberras
Jan 8th 2010, 14:18
well done mario!
Paul Stellini
Jan 8th 2010, 13:56
Ciongratulations Mario! You made us Gozitans very proud!