Fifty years ago, the historic Manoel Theatre saw the launch of heritage and environment NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa.
Yesterday, the national theatre once again provided a spectacular background in celebration of the organisation’s golden jubilee, with a concert featuring renowned violinist Carmine Lauri.
Events to celebrate this occasion have been building up through-out the past months with a 50th Anniversary Committee led by council member Albert P. Mamo mapping out a series of cultural and educational events.
The Gran Soccorso art exhibition heralded the year at the Casino Maltese, Valletta, and a new Mediterranean grove of 200 indigenous trees was inaugurated at Majjistral Park.
Born at a time when conservation of heritage was still a relatively new concept, Din l-Art Ħelwa was founded in July 1965 by a group of visionary volunteers led by Mr Justice Maurice Caruana Curran.
All founding members were concerned with the preservation of the island’s rich built and natural heritage as the island’s architecture and open spaces came under attack from the fast economic boom.
The organisation has been true to its mission ever since and has gone on to save 40 national monuments, landmarks and several works of art since its foundation.
It succeeded in heighten-ing awareness through its example and by constantly lobbying with the authorities for improved legislation, education and enforcement.
The organisation has saved 40 national monuments, landmarks and works of art
Yesterday also saw the launch of a publication titled Din l-Art Ħelwa, Heritage Saved, 1965-2015, by Stanley Farrugia Randon.
The author, who is a DLĦ council member and the guardian of Wignacourt Tower in St Paul’ Bay, recounts 50 years of the NGO’s achievements. It is a homage to the passionate work of the six executive presidents and to hundreds of volunteers. All funds from this project will go towards Din l-Art Ħelwa’s restoration projects.
Several other events will take place through the coming months, including the launch of a Golden Jubilee commemorative postage stamp in collaboration with Malta Post on July 9.
A public talk in September will be given at the Old University of Malta in Valletta by guest lecturer and keynote speaker Simon Molesworth, president of the International National Trusts Organisation.
September will see the opening of the old doors of Our Lady of Victory church for the public to view the Alessio Erardi ceiling in all its glory.
The scaffolding, which has been hiding the ceiling, has for years been the workplace of the conservators from the Courtauld Institute of Art, London.
The magnificence of the scenes of the life of the Blessed Virgin painted on the vaulted stone ceiling by Erardi are bound to alter the pages written about Malta’s history of art.
The saving of this masterpiece is probably Din l-Art Ħelwa’s most precious achievement and this will aptly be celebrated in October with a concert at the church, the oldest building and first church in Valletta.
www.dinlarthelwa.org