Carnival enthusiasts vacate historic chapel

Joseph Aquilina

Mar 20th 2010, 01:43

@Marton Saliba, Yes I have a better idea where to place the Carnival enthusiasts...right in your house. I wonder if you would like that?

Joseph Aquilina, Ontario, CANADA

J Darmanin

Mar 19th 2010, 00:01

@ John Carmel Navarro - I agree with you 100%

Kemm qamilom f'daqqa lil dawn in-nies fuq din il-kapella min mindu deret fuq l ahbarijiet, nahseb kulhadd kien jaf bija min tkellem? U jekk tigi tinfetah ghan nies biex izuru din il-kapella nahseb kollha kemm intkom sejrin tarawa hux?

Anzi il-gvern irnexijlu jsib mahzen fejn jitfa lil dawn in-nies ghax kiku zgur ma kinitx ha tinata lura din il-kapella. Ahna go dan il-pajjiz il-karnival naraw zejjed biex nonfqu naqa flus u nsibu fejn ha nibnu mhazen sura ara biex nonfqu ghal eurovision u dejjem naqaw ghan nejk u ghal xeba kummiedji ohra, hemm nonfqu kemm irridu flus hux.

Stephanie Camilleri

Mar 18th 2010, 16:16

in my oppinion, first of all the goverment should give a proper place where these ARTISTS can work, and second, if someone were working for carnival in this chapel, its because he have the permission, and of course he used it for MALTESE CULTURE.
and third, CARNIVAL IT SHOULD BE WITH BRIGHT COLOURS.. not with boring colours you are suggesting Sarah.

Marton Saliba

Mar 18th 2010, 15:49

What a pathetic bunch of self-righteous gits you are. Talking about blasphemy and improper usage of the space in this religious building, who are you to judge?

I suppose you have a much better Idea where to place the carnival enthusiasts...no? Then shut it.

Should be state property anyways...

Sarah Camilleri

Mar 18th 2010, 14:33

What a mess.... I often pass that chapel on my way to work, but I had no idea it was being used as a workshop for carnival floats. It looks like there was no supervision or careful conversion of the site.

Much as I respect carnival float makers and I'm sure they work passionately and well, I think it's about time we re-think our approach. As a bare minimum, they should change their boring colours - highlighter pink, green and yellow should be banned and replaced by a richer pallette of artistic colours with different shades and hues. Luminous colours are totally eighties and overpower everything.

laurence schembri

Mar 18th 2010, 13:48

I have been commenting about Mary Magdalen Chapel for ages, at last someone saw the light. What I find really amusing is the way we connect politics to everything good that happen in Malta.

R. Azzopardi

Mar 18th 2010, 12:22

Wow! This chapel is absolutely beautiful! Thankfully it seems that not much damage has been done to it structurally.

The chapel of Hal Millieri suffered immensely too. Some 30 truckloads of rubbish were removed from it when Din l-art Helwa took over.

D Vella

Mar 18th 2010, 08:08

Isn't the present Chapel at Tigne being used as offices for Midi and isn't it the case that it's future use will be as offices for Sliema Council?

The Chapel at Valletta was built by the Knight's and therefore Government property and the Government has no right in giving away the people's property to third parties.

God is more than adequately served by the 400 odd Churches on 140 s.m of land. God's servants have more than enough land and property to be getting on with.

Need one mention the allegedly illegal occupation of St.John's Cathedral by the Church?

Joseph Aquilina

Mar 18th 2010, 01:49

@ m. borg (slm)
No, I have not been to Tigne Point since I left Malta in 1951. Last time I was there was when I
swam across from Valetta to it ...and I am NOT intending to visit another sagrilegious place again.

@B.Cremona...shame on the Londoners too. Also, If the people of Europe are becoming less
religious and the clergy is dying out is because they are forgetting GOD and their faith is
vanishing and are getting ready to accept the ANTICHRIST. Now they are not only kicking God
out of schools...they are kicking Him out from His own house...slowly but surely.

@Anna Farrugia, An Opera House has only a material value...a Church has a Spiritual Value.
Like most Maltese your thinking is more about statues and fireworks at the village feast and not
of the God that created you. I'm beginning to be ashamed to say I was born in Malta.

Anthony Grech

Mar 17th 2010, 23:13

@J.Martinelli
...'discovery of new archeological finds should either be stopped or when accidentally discovered, promptly reburied, because we have enough pre-historical sites, already.'
Yes that is what happened recently in Xewkija Gozo with the authorities blessing.

Damian Fenech

Mar 17th 2010, 18:38

If it was built by the Knights then it should remain State property!!!

J Martinelli

Mar 17th 2010, 13:59

@ Peter Green

I don't know where you're coming from and I don't really care, but can you tell me who built and owned the chapel to begin with?
If the chapel was at one point (and I am only guessing) taken over by the State, then returning it to the church is only logical.
If the chapel was SOLD by the church to the State, then reverting it back to the church should be via a sales agreement, on the assumption that the church wants it back.
This is a three hundred year old building and is part of the island's heritage and it should be preserved, restored and reused for its original intended purpose.
By your same argument of having enough churches, then the discovery of new archeological finds should either be stopped or when accidentally discovered, promptly reburied, because we have enough pre-historical sites, already.

You obviously have not given it any thought whatsoever, have you?

John Carmel Navarro

Mar 17th 2010, 13:52

How interesting to see all these people who probably never knew this Chapel existed all of a sudden taking an interest, whilst I agree that such gems that belong to our Heritage must be protected I cannot help but reading between the lines the fact that this is another jab at the dedicated carnival enthusiast does anyone really care what is going to happen to them. I wonder what involvement if any did the Minister who has taken it upon himself to solve the issue of premises for the float builders had; maybe we have to accept that as far as the Carnival is concerned very few people give a hoot. Although I just cannot believe the thousands of Maltese and visitors alike who attend the Carnival have no passion for all the preparation that is required to stage such a prolific event. Bottom line redundant Churches ought to be used, the Church must take the responsibility for abandoning this Chapel in the first place.

Joe Bugeja

Mar 17th 2010, 13:21

It is the ideal venue for exhibiting once again the wooden funereal structure - it-tubru - which used to be set up in St John's to mark the funerals of bishops, popes and princes and which is today abandoned in the bartolett.

Joe Azzopardi

Mar 17th 2010, 11:46

Another feather in the hat of Jason Azzopardi. What's due is due, he and his people are dooing a great job. Keep it up.

Anthony Schembri Adami

Mar 17th 2010, 11:08

Again a hearty thanks to Dr. Jason Azzopardi!

Oscar Cassar

Mar 17th 2010, 11:06

Prosit... pass fid-direzzjoni t-tajba

Sandro Cremona

Mar 17th 2010, 11:05

.Can anyone tell me who gave permission to use this chapel for a carnival charade??? .

T Cilia

Mar 17th 2010, 10:55

Gosh what a sorry nation we are to let such a beautiful heritage go to ruins! Thank God that at least a decision to save it was finally taken.... not a minute too soon I say!!

r,cassar

Mar 17th 2010, 10:50

Valletta doesn't need another place of worship! The church should be restored and given to Ghaqda Mudelli tal- Knejjes so as to host a permanent exhibition of church models and statues. Back in the nineties I had suggested it would be an ideal place to house a museum for childrens art Alas the authorites then did nothing and today we still don't have a place to house a permanent exhibition of children's art.

Anna Farrugia

Mar 17th 2010, 10:47

How ironic!!! Everyone hopes that this chapel is restored to its former glory and then the Royal Opera house is being transformed into 'NOTHING OF VALUE'.

j borg

Mar 17th 2010, 10:03

Wasnt the Malta Stock exchange's premises a chapel once? Garrison Chapel? After the war it was a "party place" for british soldiers and matese females (Maltese men werent allowed in), later on as a post office and now as a Stock Exchange.

I am not 100% sure about all the details, but I think im almost there! ;)

C. Sapiano

Mar 17th 2010, 09:35

Beautiful Baroque Chapel. Hope that we will see it restored.

Carmel Garcia

Mar 17th 2010, 08:46

I remember this chapel being used as s store back in 1979 when the Knights hall (today MCC) was being restored. All sorts of tools, wood, iron, bricks and sand, cement etc etc etc. were kept in this chapel. It even was made as a locker room and other uses.

At last lets restore it to its full glory.

B.Cremona

Mar 17th 2010, 08:35

@J.Aquilina Been to a club in London which used to be a church.

I find no objection in using churches for other purposes as long as they are restored, maintained, and ideally open to the public. People in Europe are becoming less religious and clergy are dying out. Most churches have become anything from museums to private homes. We're getting there in Malta, but at a slow pace.

Joanna Farrugia

Mar 17th 2010, 08:26

Absolutely disgraceful! When are we going to really appreciate our heritage? This video is shameful!

Peter Korsten

Mar 17th 2010, 08:09

Um, there is a very distinct difference between desecrated and deconsecrated...

m. borg (slm)

Mar 17th 2010, 08:01

@Joseph Aquilina
Apparently you have not been to Tigne Point the past few years were a church has been turned into MIDI's offices.

F.Williams

Mar 17th 2010, 07:15

Din il-knisja sa nofs is-sittinijiet kienet tintuza biex tigi mghallma d-duttrina. Id-dillettanti tal-karnival m`ghamlu l-ebda hsara lix-xoghol artistiku fl-iskutura sabiha tal-artal. Pero hemm bzonn xoghol urgenti fil-koppla fejn qed jidhol l-ilma.Jien ghalkemm ma naqbilx li ntuzat b`dan il-mod pero ma nara li ghamlu xejn hazin ghax kellhom il-permess u hadmu taht gvernijiet differenti. Biss biss nistghu nghidu li propja min dal post tghallmu hafna dillettanti tal-karnival. Nispera issa li l-knisja tuza sew dan il-post ghal gid tal-poplu cioe fuq kollox ghal komunita ta dawk l-inhawi.

Joseph Aquilina

Mar 17th 2010, 04:47

@Clive Gerada, Where did you see churches being used as discos in other countries?
Has to be a comunist country surely. No matter which way to turn it. A church/chapel is to be used to worship the living God. That is prophane to use it for such things as Carnival. When Jesus saw the merchants using the Temple (the House of God) to sell their wares, He began to cast out them that sold and bought in he temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves. Jesus said "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves. (St. Mark 11:15-17). That`s exactly what they did to the chapel of Mary Magdelene. I can`t believe this is happening on the Island of Malta. What a great blasphemy.

Joseph Aquilina, Ontario, CANADA

\MARY FISHER

Mar 16th 2010, 23:57

How on earth has this beautiful chapel been ever allowed to get to this state on who in the first place such a sacred place to be used for Carnival of all things? This is sagrilege and whoever sanctioned this should rot in hell.

Steve Borg

Mar 16th 2010, 23:38

Prosit lil Jason, anki jekk hu tal-partit avversarju tiegħi - imma l-irġulija hekk titlob. Għaddejt kemm il-darba minn ħdejn din il-knisja, u xi drabi anki meta kont nara nies tal-armar tal-karnival deħlin fiha. Kienet ta' uġiegħ ta' qalb kbir li naraha użata għal skop oltre milli dak li nbniet għalih u dejjem kien jeħmer il-ħsieb ġo moħħi li jekk ikolli setgħa amministrattiva politika fil-ġejjien kont nagħmel l-istess kif għamel Jason Azzopardi.

Ejja ma nibkux il-bieraħ imma naraw dan l-avveniment bħala opportunita' biex din il-kappella tiġi restawrata u gawduta mill-fidili u minn dawk li jgħożżu dan il-patrimonju tant għani li jagħmilna poplu tassew ixxurtjat. Naturalment hemm ħafna mkejjen storiċi li huma, kif qalet sew Petra Bianchi, fi stat tal-biki, imma fejn hu tajjeb irridu nistqarru li tajjeb.

Lilian Azzopardi

Mar 16th 2010, 23:02

Well done! At long last as I have been bringing up this topic with those concerned for a very long time and with the aim of seeing it in its proper state. Thank God for this.

Anthony Grech

Mar 16th 2010, 22:17

What a total waste using this as a carnival workshop. Why not set up the carinival enthusiasts in St John's, or maybe they can take over the Grand Master's Palace since the government is moving out. WHat is wrong with us.

Astrid Vella

Mar 16th 2010, 22:05

Well done Lands Dept! Another gem about to be saved, and not a moment too soon, judging by the damp on the ceiling indicating a leaking roof.

We need more projects like these which employ personnel in the beleaguered building sector and help develop restoration capabilities which use traditional Maltese skills. This is one area where the Government could lead the way by promoting the restoration of old houses through grants and tax incentives, as restoration is much more labour-intensive than speculative building, employs a predominantly Maltese, rather than foreign labour force, and benefits our islands far more than the demolition of old houses to make way for more vacant blocks of flats.

Philip Micallef

Mar 16th 2010, 20:51

Well, it is never too late to safeguard our heritage. Well done. Meglio tardi che mai.

T Camilleri

Mar 16th 2010, 20:50

Nispera li issa ma tispiccax xi mahzen tal-Knisja minflok tal-karnival

T Camilleri

Mar 16th 2010, 20:47

Given to the Church? Was it originally the property of the Church or of the State? Why not keep it as State property and ask the Church to consecrate it again and appoint someone to hold mass and normal functions?

Denis Catania

Mar 16th 2010, 20:41

We should thank the Carnival enthusiasts for not damaging and respecting the beautiful architecture as it was shown on the video.

paul mizzi

Mar 16th 2010, 20:21

Good Morning everyone! This chapel had been used as a warehouse for ages! I wonder why many come out shouting "shame shame shame" now!! Shame on this but also shame on governments who never treated the culture, the artistry and the heritage of Carnival seriously!!

R Abela

Mar 16th 2010, 20:16

Hope that now it does not turn into a feast's decorations store as have been turned up other churches and chapels in some of our towns and villages with the blessing of the church authorities!

laurence grima

Mar 16th 2010, 20:08

yes this church is being handed over to the church, Mr Spitieri. Did you see what il-poplu did to this place. Do you think such a building should ever have been used as a store or whatever. Putting it back to it's original use would be the best for the building itself

j.spiteri

Mar 16th 2010, 20:04

@VICTOR VELLA So who was governing this country and the lands department these last 23 years? Surly not the Socialists!

A.Camilleri

Mar 16th 2010, 20:02

No offence to the carnival people, but its unbelievable that such a nice chapil was being used in that way.

A. Camilleri

Mar 16th 2010, 19:53

Mr Clive Gerada - do you think that although the chapel was desecrated it has no value? Do you understand in a country's heritage? Your point that similar gems fare worse in other countries and have even become discos does not hold water at all. Is this your benchmark in measuring our architectural heirloom. 'bicca binja bhal ohrajn' Prosit kemm tifhem. Din fejn tghallintha? It's typically a case of the Maltese saying. . .'il-biskuttini f'halq il-hmir!'

j.spiteri

Mar 16th 2010, 19:47

@m.farrugia 'The chapel is to be handed over to the Church' ...Fhimt M.Farrugia, il-propjeta sejra ghand il-knisja mhux ghand il-poplu.

s schembri

Mar 16th 2010, 19:38

Praise the LORD

VICTOR VELLA

Mar 16th 2010, 19:31

More abuse of power from the socialists years being removed.Well done Lands department at last you have someone with guts to lead you.I have nothing against carnival but this gem with a history longer then carnival can be enjoyed by one and all 365 days a year.I sincerely hope it would be restored , consecrated and used for the worhsip of God whilst it is enjoyed by one and all

Anthony Grech

Mar 16th 2010, 19:30

Prosit u Grazzi lill-Onorevoli Jason Azzoppardi u lill kull min hadem biex dan it-tezor jinghta lura lill-Poplu.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Mar 16th 2010, 19:21

@ Clive Gerada Panic? More like dillirju. Never mind the religious value, I’m prepared to accept your point but we are talking about historical religious value. We are talking about a 17 Century Chapel turned into a work shop to produce grotesque carnival floats.

Clive Gerada

Mar 16th 2010, 19:07

Ghalfejn dal panic kollu Mr.Charles Buttigieg? mur gibek kont tighx barra, il-knejjes juzawwom bhala Disco! :-), x'fiha hazin b'daqsekk?? jekk huma dissakrati ifisser li huma bicca binja bhal-ohrajn :)

J. Grech

Mar 16th 2010, 19:04

Oh thank God....Finally!!!!!! It was so sad seeing the church in that state.....hopefully it would be restored to its former glory in the future :)

Andrew Gatt

Mar 16th 2010, 18:49

Better late than never. @ Denis Catania : as always with an if, or a but or a why ? Be positive my friend. Something that all Maltese should be happy about that finally happened. As from to day our dear VALLETTA is richer !

D. Mercieca

Mar 16th 2010, 18:42

At last...very good news. I hope that the paintings are well preserved somewhere... it s a pitty that an architectural jewel like this was left in this state for ages and ages.....Places like these should be restored. The government or Din l art helwa should also do something about all those small chaples which are being used as a store for the feast decorations....

Denis Catania

Mar 16th 2010, 18:29

Is it going to be handed to the church or sold or will it be leased ? I hope the Maltese will get fair market value from the church.

J Martinelli

Mar 16th 2010, 18:25

When was this chapel 'given up' by the church? How long has it been used by carnival enthusiasts? Once cleaned up it would become a good project for the Restoration Unit. It takes time, but we've had a good start lately restoring historical places bringing them back to their previous glory.

A Fabri

Mar 16th 2010, 18:22

wow......i did never imagined such an elaborate baroque abside inside. Can anyone explain why chapel ended up as a warehouse??? Well done to all those involved in Land Dept.

A. Vassallo

Mar 16th 2010, 17:44

What an awful waste, that this historic 17th century chapel of Mary Magdelene in Valletta was being used in that way for so many years. I bet a very few people in Malta knew about its existence until today.

Hope this chapel will be restored back to its grandeur and opened for the general public.

m.farrugia

Mar 16th 2010, 17:34

Prosit lil Jason azzopardi u l-haddiema tieghu li qed jaghmlu minn kollox sabiex dak li huwa tal-poplu jirritorna ghand il-poplu. Forsi dawk li ghamlu l-protesta il-weekend li ghadda ikollhom il-wiċċ li ghalinqas jghidulu grazzi. Diga ghamilt hafna aktar minn haddiehor u nistennew aktar minnek. Il-poplu grat lejk.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Mar 16th 2010, 17:29

Why was this blasphemy allowed to happen in the first place? Hnizrijiet bhal dawn igaluni nisthi nghid li jien Malti. Disgrace. Shame shame shame.

Mark Spiteri

Mar 16th 2010, 17:10

Good News. Passed from this area some days ago, and noticed this abandoned chapel. I wondered how come it has been left to fall in such a state.
Now I got the answer.
Prosit for giving this building back its 'glory'