The next Farsons Foundation lecture at Heritage Malta will be given by Kenneth Gambin, head curator with Heritage Malta. Mr Gambin has a Master's degree from the University of Malta and has been working with Heritage Malta since it was set up in 2002. Before that he used to form part of the Museums Department.

Mr Gambin's special field of interest is the Inquisition in Malta, as well as ethnography. He is the author of various articles and publications on these subjects and has edited some major works like Roots of a Nation, (2004). Over the years his participation in cultural programmes and seminars both locally and abroad has been very wide.

On Tuesday Mr Gambin will speak about the Auberge d'Italie, the building now housing the Malta Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts in Valletta. His lecture will cover the history of the Langue of Italy of the Order of St John, the Langue's first auberge in Birgu and the building of the Auberge in Valletta. He will also deal with the part played by Girolamo Cassar in the building of Valletta.

Mr Gambin will look at the Valletta building as a Roman Baroque palace and will describe the daily life and conditions of both the knights and the people of Valletta. He will then outline the history of the building to the present day.

The lecture will be held at the head office of Heritage Malta in Merchants Street, Valletta (next to the Jesuits' church). It will be in English and will start at 6 p.m.