St Philip’s Band Club recently commemorated the 250th birth anniversary of patriot Mikiel Anton Vassalli – considered to be the father of the Maltese language – with a musico-literary soiree featuring literary readings, songs, folk singing, speeches and music at the band club in Żebbuġ.

Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia, the club’s honorary president, was guest of honour. Prof. Manwel Mifsud sang his own composition Vassalli at the opening of the evening, followed by a talk by Prof. Frans Ciappara about ‘Vassalli and education’ and a keynote speech by Prof. Oliver Friggieri on ‘Malta as envisaged by Vassalli’.

Two sonnets titled Lil Mikiel Anton Vassalli, one by Ġorġ Pisani and the other by Dun Karm, together with the poem Jum ir-Rebħ, were read by Joe Cortis and Alessandra Balzan.

The Vassalli scene from Biż-Żebbuġ dejjem ħaddart was screened, while text information about Vassalli’s life was screened during the playing of musical excerpts.

The St Philip band, under the direction of Mro Richard Bugeja, played classical and light music compositions. The band also accompanied Albertine Abela, who sang Ħanini ser Insiefer, whose melody inspired that of the national anthem.

Folk singer Joseph Zerafa sang a number of songs from L-Aħħar Tislima by Frans Sammut.