Il-Ħaġar │ Heart of Gozo Museum is delighted to present yet another landmark exhibition as part of the cultural programme celebrating its tenth anniversary year.  Curated by Professor Keith Sciberras, the next temporary display will feature the extraordinary works of renowned mid-eighteenth-century Late Baroque artist Francesco Zahra (1710-1773) on the 250th anniversary of his death.

Francesco Zahra left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of Malta and Gozo.  His artistic prowess and decorative appeal embodied the spirit of the Italian settecento, earning him the distinction of being one of the most fashionable and influential Maltese artists of his time.

Happening in the context of the 26th edition of the Victoria International Arts Festival, the upcoming exceptional exhibition, which will be officially inaugurated on Sunday 11th June at 11:30 running till the 3rd of September, will delve into Zahra’s diverse body of work, highlighting his smaller religious pieces, bozzetti, and portrait paintings.  Visitors will have the opportunity to view both well-known masterpieces and recently discovered gems, presented alongside works of other prominent mid-eighteenth-century Maltese painters.

Il-Ħaġar Museum extends its sincere gratitude to the numerous institutions – public and private – whose contributions have made this extraordinary exhibition possible.

In the next public talk as part of our Saturday morning series in this tenth anniversary year, Professor Tonio Borg, Associate Professor of Public Law at the University of Malta, will delve into the main shortcomings of Malta’s current Constitution.

The talk will encompass both inherent flaws present in the Constitution from its inception, such as certain ouster clauses that limit court scrutiny of specific actions by public authorities, as well as flaws that have arisen due to amendments made over the years. Professor Borg will also address the recent 2020 constitutional amendments, acknowledging their positive aspects while highlighting existing anomalies and flaws that require rectification.

Professor Tonio Borg boasts extensive experience in the field of public law, having lectured on the subject since 1989. He is a former European Commissioner, and has previously held positions as Deputy Prime Minister of Malta and Cabinet Minister.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒂: 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 is taking place on Saturday 20th May at 11:00. Admission is, as always, free of charge, but seat reservations, by sending an email to events@heartofgozo.org.mt, are recommended.

The Gozo Philatelic Society (GPS) is hosting a public talk titled 𝐆̇𝐫𝐚𝐣𝐣𝐞𝐭 𝐆ħ𝐚𝐰𝐝𝐞𝐱 𝐟𝐮𝐪 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 by Vincent Zammit, an esteemed author and lecturer in Maltese cultural heritage, on Friday 19th May, at 19:00, at Il-Ħaġar Museum.

The lecture marks the launch of a comprehensive publication compiled by Mark-Anthony Poulton, showcasing the covers and cards produced by the GPS since its inception in 1999. These artistic creations commemorate events and stamps related to Gozo and have been designed by resident artist Anthony Grech. In addition to the lecture, attendees will have the chance to view a temporary exhibition displaying the GPS’s work.

Admission is free, but those interested are encouraged to reserve their seats in advance by sending an email to secretary@stamps-stamps.org. Attendees will also have the opportunity to acquire a copy of the publication and join in a celebratory drink at The Roof on Level 4 of the museum.

Il-Ħaġar | Heart of Gozo Museum is hosting the initiative 𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒖𝒎 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔: 𝑨 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝑨𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, organised in collaboration with the Ministry for Active Ageing, Active Ageing and Community Care, Heritage Malta, and Sir M. A. Refalo Sixth Form.

The second part of this experimental initiative is taking place 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝟎𝟗:𝟎𝟎, and will bring together art students and elderly who will delve together into the former’s interpretations of some of the works displayed at Il-Ħaġar Museum.

The event will be addressed by the Hon. Minister for Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela and consists of a discussion comparing the actual works on display at the museum with art creations prepared by art students from Sir M. A. Refalo Sixth Form, guided by their lecturer Mario Cassar. On conclusion, all participants will be treated to a guided tour to the Ġgantija Temples in Xagħra.

As always, the event is free of charge, but booking, by sending an email to events@heartofgozo.org.mt, is essential for logistics purposes.

Il-Ħaġar Museum, Cultural Centre, and Community Space will be honouring the memory of Queen Elizabeth II on the anniversary of her birth with a Commemorative Soirée this Friday, 21 April, at 20:00. 

During the soirée – which will be under the patronage of Commander Adrian Mudge, Naval and Air Attaché Rome and Defence Advisor Malta – Rev. Geoffrey George Attard will deliver a speech on Her Late Majesty’s life and legacy, while Brasstubes Ensemble, led by Mark Gauci, will perform a selection of musical excerpts.

Admission is, as always, free of charge. However, interested attendees are encouraged to book their seats in advance by emailing events@heartofgozo.org.mt.

As part of the cultural programme to mark its 10th anniversary, Il-Ħaġar | Heart of Gozo Museum is presenting a Clarinet Quartet recital this Friday 14 April, at 19:30.

Clarinetists George Agius, Noel Beck, Christopher Camilleri, and Michael Pirotta shall be performing works by Robert Schumann, George Gershwin, Johannes Brahms, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonin Dvorak, Megan Courson, Erroll Garner, and Zequinha de Abreu, among others.

Admission is, as always, free, but seat reservations, by sending an email to events@heartofgozo.org.mt, are recommended.

Il-Ħaġar | Heart of Gozo Museum is pleased to announce its next temporary exhibition for this tenth anniversary year.  Esprit Barthet – A Life of Colour will bring together a number of important works by one of Malta’s leading 20^th century artists, a first for the island of Gozo.

Curated by Nicoline Sagona, this landmark retrospective exhibition will showcase Barthet’s famous ‘rooftops’ series, as well as his well-known portrait paintings and experimental styles throughout his career.

Exhibition will be inaugurated by the Hon. Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri on Sunday 26^th March at 11:30 (invitation below), and runs till 28 May.

Get ready to explore the fascinating world of whisky!  Richard Reader will take us on a journey of malt appreciation during a public lecture at Il-Ħaġar Museum, Cultural Centre, and Community Space, on Friday 24^th March at 19:30.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to expand our knowledge and taste buds.  To book your spot, please send an email to events@heartofgozo.org.mt.  As always, participation is free.

Next up in the Saturday morning series of public talks at Il-Ħaġar Museum, Cultural Centre, and Community Space is eminent architect, artist, and academic Richard England Cain & Lazarus, who will explore the lives of Cain and Lazarus through a biblical and fictitious approach, uncovering new and fascinating aspects of these characters.  Dubbed as ‘a master builder having the language of poetry’, Professor England is receipient of numerous awards and accolades. 

Cain & Lazarus is happening on Saturday 18^th March at 11:00.  As always, attendance is free, but booking, by sending an email to events@heartofgozo.org.mt, are recommended.

Il-Ħaġar Museum, Cultural Centre, and Community Space continues the series of Saturday talks programmed for this year which celebrates the tenth anniversary of its inauguration with a public lecture by lighting designer and consultant Rita Curmi on Saturday 11 March at 11:00.

Curmi will be discussing her project which explores innovative lighting techniques used in museum and gallery settings to optimise the lighting for Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Beheading of St John the Baptist, housed at the Oratory of St John’s Co Cathedral in Valletta. She will delve into the state-of-the-art lighting and control system she used to accentuate the drama of the painting and other Baroque features in the Oratory.

As usual, attendance is free, but seat reservations, by sending an email to events@heartofgozo.org.mt is recommended.