Efforts to save the chapel and affreschi that are housed on the first floor of St Augustine’s Priory in Valletta are being stepped up as a series of events designed to highlight the architectural features of the building and the imperilled art pieces has just been announced by the prior, Fr Alex Cauchi.
“We had already managed to get European Regional Development Funds to cover 80 per cent of restoration works, but these funds do not include the chapel on the first floor, and the affreschi that are showcased there. At the moment they are in a dire state, so we have been trying our utmost to source funds,” Fr Alex said.
The Augustinian church, sacristy, oratory and priory comprise one whole block of Valletta between Old Bakery, St John, Old Mint and St Mark streets.
The sacristy consists of a rectangular space with a second attic and vaulted roof. The priory building is mostly on three floors at Old Bakery Street with another two floors of rented housing and shops beneath the convent onto Old Mint Street. The oratory occupies part of the ground floor beneath the Augustinian convent. Structural changes were made in 1845, converting part of it into a sacristy.
Fr Alex has joined forces with German cultural manager Xenia Lorenz-Rebers, who explained how she fell in love with the historical and cultural aspect of the priory while on a visit to Malta. When she realised that parts of the building and some of the artworks were in danger of perishing unless urgent restoration interventions were carried out, Ms Lorenz-Rebers was determined to come up with a plan to save them.
At the moment they are in a dire state
“The entire monastery is impressive. Fr Alex explained that some €9,000 is needed in order to carry out the necessary works, but of course he doesn’t have access to those funds. I went back home to Germany and gave the matter some thought. Eventually, I came back to Malta, discussed it with Fr Alex and we set up a plan,” Ms Lorenz-Rebers said.
The first event takes place on June 5 and will feature blind pianist Anton Belousov. The 26-year-old musician is considered a prodigy, having been born blind and starting to learn to play the piano at the age of seven, under very difficult conditions. He is currently performing as a solo-pianist, and orchestra pianist, with the Philharmonic Orchestra of St Petersburg and the Philharmonic Orchestra Ryazan.
When he learnt about the features of the priory, Mr Belousov was immediately interested, and expressed enthusiasm to be part of the project.
“He told me: ‘I cannot see the beauty of the church in which I will be playing, because I am blind, but I can still feel the presence of God, and it is an honour for me to contribute to such a project, playing for the people in Malta’,” Ms Lorenz-Rebers said.
The concert is not a one-off, but marks the beginning of a project called Concert & Dinner, which will see up to three events taking place until the end of year, each one featuring different musicians. All proceeds will go towards the funding of the restoration works.
“The idea is to get the audience more involved in the story and the needs of the priory, thanks to an intimate setting. After the concert, while enjoying dinner, guests will be able to converse with the musicians themselves,” Ms Lorenz-Rebers said.
All work being carried out on this project, she added, is being done on a voluntary basis, from the design of the poster to the services she is providing herself.