After a three-week viewing period at the Ministry for Gozo, the submissions for the design contest for enhancing the visitor experience in the Ġgantija Heritage Park World Heritage Site will be exhibited in Valletta.
The design contest included proposals for: an interpretation centre (and “exit” building) incorporating all amenities and interpretation facilities, a welcoming orientation point to the cultural resources in Xagħra, a walkway to connect the interpretation centre to the temple and landscaping works.
The design contest was won by architect Robert Sant, who was selected from among 12 submissions. Alex Torpiano Martin Xuereb were awarded an honourable mention by the jury.
In the contest’s memorandum, Heritage Malta declared that the winning “proposal fell within the pre-set parameters as specified by the functional brief, complying with Heritage Malta’s requirements while providing a considerable area of the site for the enjoyment of the community. The proposed construction methodology will also have minimum physical impact on the site, avoiding the necessity of any rock cutting, making the proposed intervention reversible.
“Though the design is an architectural statement in its own right... it respects the sensitive archaeological and rural setting. It presents a solution which respects the context while providing a challenging counterpoint in the transition from the urban area to the Ġgantija Temple complex.
“The scheme also respects the actual temple site and also the urban context by the setting back of the Interpretation Centre from the street and allowing for space where activities can interact with the Ġgantija Heritage Park, thus integrating both realities.”
Concluding, Heritage Malta felt that the winning entry “showed an understanding of the site and its problems, and seeks to enhance the inherent values of the site, offering one holistic experience to the visitors throughout the Ġgantija Heritage Park”.
The total budget for the Ġgantija Heritage Park ranges around €2.5 million which also includes a study regarding the temple structure stability.
This project forms part of the €9.2 million Archaeological Heritage Conservation Project, 85 per cent of which is co-financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project includes works on two other sites, namely the Tarxien Temples, and St Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat.
The exhibition will be exhibited at Heritage Malta’s head office in Merchants Street, Valletta from Monday until February 21. More information about the design contest and other aspects of the Archaeological Heritage Conservation Project can be viewed on: www.heritagemalta.org/erdf032.
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Visual Arts
Till tomorrow
Japanese Prints
An exhibition of Japanese prints from the National Collection is on show at the Contemporary Hall, National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. Free entrance. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission at 4.30 p.m.)
Till January 29
MADC: One Hundred Years of Theatre + PIC
An exhibition forming part of MADC’s centenary celebrations is on show at the Auberge d’Italie, Merchants Street, Valletta.
Till February 7
La Utopia Transgresora
Spanish female photographer Ouka Leele, whose art career dates back to the late 1970s, ranks among the landmark figures of Europe. An exhibition presented in collaboration with the Spanish embassy on the occasion of the EU Presidency is showing in the Main Hall of St James Cavalier, Valletta.
Till February 7
New Maltese Art
A mixed media exhibition curated by the Malta Contemporary Art features cutting-edge works of art by 10 emerging Maltese artists which provide a glimpse into themes and ideas that young artists are dealing with today. Showing at the upper gallery of St James Cavalier, Valletta.
Performing Arts
January 22-24
Woman in Mind
This play by Alan Ayckbourn will be performed by Maleth at the Manoel Theatre. The cast includes Marylou Coppini, Kris Spiteri, Joe Pace, Francesca Scerri,Olenka Martino, Francesco Apap Bologna, Martin Azzopardi, Lillian Pace Vasallo, and Erin Stewart Tanti. Shows start at 7.30 p.m.
January 22-24, 29-31, February 5-7
Sex Comedies
A play by Iain Heggie. Produced by Unifaun Theatre production and directed by Denise Mulholland, the cast includes Polly March, Edward Mercieca, Paul Portelli, Malcolm Galea and Mikhail Basmadjian performing at St James Cavalier, Valletta. Shows start at 8 p.m.
Music/Concerts
Tomorrow
Met Opera Season
Presenting the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. This Emmy Award-winning series live in high definition with English subtitles is showing at St James Cavalier, Valletta. Doors open at 6.30 p.m., curtain up: 7 p.m.
Sunday
Meet the composer
Featuring the music of Charles Camilleri. Under the direction of Sarah Spiteri, members of the St James Consort are presenting a concert dedicated to a single composer at St Catherine of Italy church, Valletta at 11 a.m.
January 20
Performers’ Platform Concert Series
Produced by St James Cavalier, the concert will feature Matthew Fenech on the viola performing at St James Cavalier’s music room at 12.35 p.m.
January 22
Harp Recital
Caroline Muscat will be performing on the harp at the Sala Isouard of the Manoel Theatre’s at 8 p.m.
Talks
January 21
Interview by Manuel Mifsud with Mario Azzopardi
In this series of meetings with Maltese authors, all participants will be interviewed and followed by readings of their latest work. The next interview is taking at St James Cavalier, Valletta at 7.30 p.m. All sessions are conducted in Maltese. Free entrance.
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Charles Camilleri tribute concerts
A festival of music organised by Maria Blanco is being held at the Manoel Theatre tomorrow and Sunday to commemorate Charles Camilleri’s life and music.
The highlights of tomorrow’s concert include a world premiere of the Sonata for Two Clarinets, Kanti Popolari performed by Claire Massa and the Anon String Quartet, the Clarinet Concertino performed by Anthony Houghton and the Flute Divertimento with soloist Laura Falzon.
Sunday’s concert will feature Mro Camilleri’s highly symbolic piano quintet Requiem for the Massacred, performed by Ms Blanco and the Wilhelm Quartet, his highly acclaimed Accordion Concerto with soloist Milos Milivojevic, and Four Legends, a colourfully folkloristic orchestral suite which will be conducted by Mro Schembri and feature soloist Godfrey Mifsud, both of whom had previously performed and recorded this work with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Among the performers will be violinist Carmine Lauri, accordionist Milos Milivojevic, flautist Laura Falzon, mezzo-soprano Claire Massa, cellist Lesley Shrigley Jones, pianist Maria Blanco and clarinettists Anthony Houghton and Godfrey Mifsud.
Also participating are the Cassini String Quartet and the Jessop Wind Ensemble from Sheffield University, for whom Maestro Camilleri had composed music. The Filarmonika Orchestra, who had already been involved in last year’s world premiere of Mro Camilleri’s New Idea Symphony in Belgium, will again be conducted by Brian Schembri.
Tomorrow’s performance starts at 7.30 p.m. and Sunday’s at 6.30 p.m.
Useful contacts
St James Cavalier
Tel.: 2122 32000
E-mail: info@sjcav.org
www.sjcav.org
Manoel Theatre
Tel: 2124 6389
E-mail: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt
www.manoeltheatre.com.mt