The First 10 Years: Bequests and Donations

Il-Ħaġar | Heart of Gozo Museum was officially inaugurated ten years ago, on 23 February 2013. So this is a particular year – where we will be marking the tenth anniversary of this cultural centre with an impressive list of events.

Progress over these ten years has been more than satisfactory, despite quite a few obstacles – not least COVID restrictions. Support has been forthcoming from institutions and individuals, many offering hours of voluntary help.  Numerous artists, admirers, and supporters have donated works of art to add enormously – in both quantity and quality – to the museum’s collection, permanent and reserve.

The first temporary exhibition in 2023 will, in fact, be The First 10 years: Il-Ħaġar Bequests and Donations, which will be officially inaugurated on 11 February at 19:30 by the Hon. Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri.  The exhibition will stay open until 19 March. 

Distributed over all the different levels, the vast range of artefacts will serve as tangible proof of the management’s efforts and wide contacts. It will feature works by Mario Agius, Victor Agius, Vincent Apap, Christine Agopian, Bill Armstrong, Franco Maria Bedini, Alessandro Bergamini, Debbie Bonello, Andrew Borg, Celia Borg Cardona, John Martin Borg, Mario Caffaro Rore, Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, Austin Camilleri, Bob Cardona, Mario Cassar, Shawn Cauchi, Joseph Chetcuti, Norma Cili, Walter Coccetta, Giambattista Conti, Savio Deguara, Damian Ebejer, Richard England, Josette Fenech, Gianfranco Ferroni, Aaron Formosa, Rachel Galea, Isabelle Gavoty-Ravanas, Maria Grech, John Grima, Graham Gurr, Paul Haber, Luciano Micallef, Savio Mizzi, Toni Mizzi, Sergio Moruzzi, Sue Nightingale, Mark Sagona, Patricia Sant, George Scicluna, Paul Stellini, Joe Vassallo, Tommaso Vecchi, Ramon Vella Bamber, James Vella Clark, and Francis Webb, among others.

All the artefacts (well-nigh hundred) will be illustrated in full colour in Il-Ħaġar Gems No. 23 which will be published before the end of this event.

The museum is open seven days a week from 09:00 to 17:00, and entry remains free of charge.