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A book by Anthony Farrugia entitled Il-Kuntratt tal-Istatwa Titulari ta’ San Ġorġ tar-Rabat, Għawdex, 2 ta’ April 1838, was launched at Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia hall at St George’s Basilica, Victoria.
The book is an analytical account of the previously unknown contract, drafted by notary Nicolò Tabone in 1838, commissioning Pietro Paolo Azzopardi to create the wooden statue of St George.
The book recounts the special festivities that took place on the arrival of the statue in 1839 and sheds light on social aspects of Gozo in that period, including the cholera outbreak of 1837.
At the book launch, Farrugia described how he discovered the contract. Anton Tabone, a direct descendant of the notary who had drafted it, spoke of the latter’s historical achievements.
Stephanie Coppini read a Maltese translation of the contract, which was written in Italian, and notary Paul George Pisani spoke of the importance of its discovery and its relevance today in the context of the notarial profession.
The event ended with a book-signing.
The book is available for sale from the author (Tel. 7909 4385; e-mail farrugiaanthony@melita.com).