A Mattia Preti painting which the Gozo Ministry bought for $400,000 (€370,000) will be publicly displayed for the first time on Wednesday as part of the island's Republic Day celebrations.  

An oil on canvas painted in the 17th-century, Daniel Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s First Dream was purchased to be the centrepiece of the Gozo Museum being developed in Victoria through EU funding. 

The €370,000 outlay - eight times the Gozo Ministry's cultural budget - had raised eyebrows among Opposition MPs at the time. 

Malta's national heritage agency, Heritage Malta, also expressed scepticism, saying it would "not have considered" the purchase, had it had a say in the matter. 

OPINION: Welcome home, Mattia Preti

It will be put on display free-of-charge at the ministry as part of Gozo's Republic Day celebrations, with Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana saying the island should play a part in celebrating the event. 

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca congratulated the minister for the idea. 

Celebrations in Gozo also included a classical concert based on the works of Nicolo Isouard featuring Gozitan singers and musicians. 

 

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