An illustrated presentation of the findings of a study on insignia painted at the former Main Guard in Valletta will be the focus of Din l-Art Helwa's cultural presentation this Thursday.

The study was made by Adrian Strickland will take those attending the lecture through the history and use of the building from the 17th century to the present day. Built by the Order of the Knights of St John and then used by the British, this building, opposite the Palace, served as a guard house until the 1960s. The upper part served as the Officers' Mess of the King's Own Malta Regiment.

Mr Strickland will also discuss the wall paintings in oil - that amount to almost 300 - that adorn the walls of the only ‘Officer's Guard' in the Malta Command. Among the paintings, there are numerous examples of regimental badges, historical subjects, anecdotes, cartoons and even nostalgia.

For many years Mr Strickland studied the language of symbols particularly on badges, medals, heraldry and flags. He was responsible for devising Malta's National arms, the Municipal Arms of Malta and Gozo, the President's standard as well as the National Order of Merit and other official medals in both public and private domains.

The presentation will be held at the Judge Caruana Curran Hall at the offices of Din l-Art Helwa, 133, Melita Street. Participants are asked to be seated by 5.45 p.m. Admission to this presentation will be free of charge, but one can make donations towards Din l-Art Helwa's restoration projects.