Scenes from a bygone era, of farmhouses and chapels, streets and alleyways, will go under the hammer next month in aid of L-Istrina.

Palette knife artist Francis Galea seeks to capture the spirit of Malta’s romantic past in his works but it is as if he is racing against time before these scenes disappear under modern mediocrity. And the foreboding, sinister skies and impasto technique convey this sense of a dangerous, imminent decay.

The Mater Dei Hospital fund-raising committee for L-Istrina is hoping that all the 12 paintings will disappear during the December 12 auction, which will take place during a musico-literary night at the hospital.

The event, called A Taste of Malta, is part of a series of events organised by the committee, which managed to collect more than €32,000 for the cause over the past two years.

The auction will kick off at 6pm and a 2013 calendar featuring these paintings can be bought as a token for €6 in aid of L-Istrina.

On the night, Trevor Zahar will read out some of his work and launch Tqasqis, a series of poems for children. He will be accompanied by Maltese traditional music played by Benny (from Benny and Tonia).

This year the committee will also hold its annual Christmas fund-raising activity for L-Istrina at the main foyer of Mater Dei Hospital between November 26 and December 2. It will include two bazaars, a 50-hour eight-ball pool marathon, a car show, a dress-down day and a scout parade.

For more information send an e-mail to joseph.darmanin@gov.mt.