On Saturday 31st July, The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation marked its 20th anniversary with the launch of a publication on the restoration and conservation carried out at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta – The St John’s Co-Cathedral: Looking After a Cultural Gem – 20 Years of Restoration and Conservation’.
In his opening address, the President of the Foundation Prof. Mgr. Emmanuel Agius, stated: “The scope of this publication is to showcase and record for posterity the extensive and holistic programme of restoration and conservation embarked upon by the Foundation over the past two decades. It seeks to render unequivocal credibility to the vision and foresight of the founding fathers of the Foundation and to the outstanding achievements of that institution.
“The restoration and conservation projects embarked upon by the Foundation have embraced a wide range of works of art, together with many architectural features of the Church fabric. The list of items covered by these works is indeed impressive: from fine altarpieces to funerary mausolea in marble and bronze; from gilt wall carvings to the exterior masonry of the façade and side walls; from the portal escutcheons to the Lascaris bell and clock mechanism inside the belfries; from the altar canopy, lectern, choir stalls and pulpit, to the Mascioni and Oratory pipe organs and their ornate cases; from the Crucifixion statuary group to the Oratory timber lantern; from the marble doorway to the Oratory to its fine soffit in carved wood; from the chancel balustrades to the marble cladded nave pilasters; from the Cappella Ardente to the Crypt of the Grand Masters; from the priceless Flemish tapestries and the Carapecchia atriums to the stunning marble flooring with its inlaid sepulchral tablets.”
Cynthia de Giorgio, CEO and Curator pointed out that the main
aim of the Foundation is the conservation
and restoration of the priceless works of art and artefacts preserved within
the Co-Cathedral. During the past two decades the Foundation has transformed
this historical monument from the state of abandonment to a level of
conservation that will ensure its preservation for posterity.
Ms de Giorgio stated: “It was the teamwork of restorers, conservators,
engineers and experts in their own field that worked together during these
years to transform the
Co-Cathedral to its Baroque pristine beauty. We also recognise all the work done
by the Foundation’s employees, from custodians to managers, that contributed to
the Foundation’s success story”.
The ceremony was addressed by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Ms Joyce Dimech; the Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta Mr Michael Pace Ross; and Prof. Mgr. Emmanuel Agius, President of the Foundation.
The Foundation was established by a public deed on 31st July 2001, signed by the late Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, and Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, who at that time was prime minister. The Foundation is administered by a council consisting of six members, three appointed by the Government of Malta and three by the Archbishop of Malta. The Foundation is responsible for the administration of St John’s Co-Cathedral as a religious and cultural monument. The income generated throughout the years are used to fund the maintenance and restoration projects, with the aim of preserving this Maltese jewel in the best possible condition to enhance the knowledge and admiration of present as well as future generations.
The book The St John’s Co-Cathedral: Looking After a Cultural Gem – 20 Years of Restoration and Conservation, edited by Cynthia de Giorgio, is published by The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation. It showcases all the works and the methods of restoration and conservation implemented at the Co-Cathedral. It can be purchased from the Foundation of St John’s Co-Cathedral for €40 or by email on [email protected].