Guido de Marco honoured at Foreign Ministry

A concert in honour of the late President Guido de Marco was hosted by Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and Mrs Borg at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Valletta this evening.

The evening began with the inauguration of a library dedicated to Prof. de Marco at the ministry, where the late President had served as foreign minister for a number of years.

Prof. de Marco’s widow Violet and Dr Borg unveiled a commemorative plaque.

The late President’s children Mario, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Gianella Caruana Curran , Fiorella Camilleri de Marco and other members of Prof. De Marco’s immediate family attended the concert.

Also present were ministers, parliamentary secretaries, ambassadors, Presidents Emeriti and members of the Maltese Diplomatic Corps.

Presented by Reuben Gauci and Doris Zammit, the concert featured violinist Joseph Chetcuti and pianist Anne Marie Chetcuti, who played musical pieces close to Prof and Mrs de Marco’s hearts.

It also featured solo pieces by musicians from St Gaetan Band Club, Hamrun under the direction of Jonathan Borg, assistant musical director at the band club.

Prof de Marco was vice-president at this club for a number of years.

Extracts from a television series of nine interviews recorded in 2009 named Guido, were featured.

The series had been sponsored by Education 22 and The Times and had been broadcast on Education 22.

An English rendering of Prof de Marco’s words was subsequently provided by actor Anthony Ellul.

To honour the late President’s work in aid of world peace, a prayer for peace was read by Shelley Tayar of the Jewish Community, Fr Marcello Ghirlando of the Christian Community and Imam Mohammed El Sadi of the Muslim Community.

Dr Borg thanked the Italian Embassy, Alberta Fire and Security, Power Plan Ltd; Malta’s Representatives of Total, Jet Services Ltd, Photocity, Vigo Menswear and All Styles for sponsoring the evening.