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Treasures of Malta,
Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti
It had to be something like the latest issue of Treasures of Malta to provide a most welcome modicum of cheer in these bleak times, not least with its striking cover of a detail from a 16th-century frescoed map of Malta hailing the 1565 victory over the Ottomans. It lies in the Hall of Maps at the Vatican, one among several showing the lands over which the pope held authority. In 1732, Louis XV gifted Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena with a fine portrait of himself by Jean Baptiste van Loo. Van Loo took over the commission from the famous portrait painter Hyacinthe Regnaud and managed to paint a most competent work of art, which is one the highlights of the President’s Palace but “which has failed to be given its due academic importance”. Carlos Bongalais’s paper supplies the background to this painting, which has tended to be overlooked in the palace’s collection.
Talks are under way for a multi-million euro regeneration of the Romeo Romano Gardens in Sta Venera.
With a vision to upgrade the garden in an organic style in a way that respects the style and atmosphere of the historic grounds, the concept will retain much of the natural aesthetic of the garden’s architecture, sources have said.
Discussions with the Environment Ministry are still ongoing, with plans to turn the French-style garden into a greener and more elaborate public garden which will include a kitchen garden and family area for children. The park would eventually be managed by Ambjent Malta.