Mattia Preti celebrated in Żurrieq

Recently, Żurrieq celebrated the 400th anniversary of Fra Mattia Preti’s birth.

Thanks to Don Matteolo Saliba, both architect of our parish church and the village parish priest at the time, the painter-knight Preti adorned the local main place of worship with eight canvasses. Seven still embellish the temple as the eighth joined the Żrieraq who fell victim to air raids in World War II.

I would like to show my appreciation at the presence of a foreign ambassador at the celebration. The ambassador turned up unannounced and sat right at the back with the public, refusing special treatment befitting a dignitary.

I was also pleased to notice a few foreign visitors. When I told them that the presentation will be in Maltese, a tourist told me that it was to be expected because this is Malta and Maltese is our mother tongue. My offer to interpret was politely refused. They sat right through the whole evening enjoying the baroque music and watching the presentations in Maltese.

I would also like to thank the member of Parliament who also attended the event.