To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Olof Frederick Gollcher (1889-1962), a seminar will be held at Palazzo Falson, Villegaigon Street, Mdina, next Sunday from 10am to 1pm, to present recent unpublished research relating to this great collector.
Cecilia Xuereb will speak about Gollcher’s personal archives, which reveal details of his varied interests, his numerous friends and acquaintances, both in Malta and abroad, and the high esteem in which he was held by them, as well as important landmarks of his life.
George Camilleri will talk on Gollcher’s role in underwater archaeology in Malta. Gollcher’s contact with Pier Nicola Gargallo helped establish the International Institute of Mediterranean Archaeology, which had a part in the John Woods, Imperial College 1961 expedition at Marsaxlokk and Xlendi.
Tony Azzopardi will speak about Gollcher’s everyday life experiences and association with freemasonry. Ellen and Jan Beuenderman will give a presentation about Gollcher’s collection of over 4,000 books, which reveals a man with diverse interests ranging from history, religion, architecture and design, travel and Melitensia.
The talks will be followed by a screening of the documentary on Gollcher’s life.