Wirt iż-Żejtun

EVENTS: Gafa’ u lil hinn minnu

On Tuesday 19th November, Wirt iż-Żejtun organised a presentation about the historical development of the Żejtun Parish Church. This event was lead by Ms Giulia Privitelli, a graduate in History of Art, who presented her research work conducted as part of her thesis. Her thesis supervisors were Rev. Gino Gauci and Dr Conrad Thake.

The audience present followed with great interest the new historical facts which were unveiled by this young researcher. Her study brought out new names of key people who worked on the design, additions and alteration to this magnificent church following Lorenzo Gafa’s death in 1703. Among the names mentioned were Giuseppe Bonnici, Annunziato Cachia, Michele Cachia and Giacomo Bianco.

During the coming year, Wirt iż-Żejtun will be collaborating with Ms Privitelli in order to publish her research. All the income from this publication will be collected in a special fund which will be donated to the Żejtun Parish once the restoration works on this important architectural monument starts.

At the end of the event, Perit Ruben Abela, President of Wirt iż-Żejtun, presented a memento to the new archpriest of St Catherine’s Parish, Rev. Nicholas Pace.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

NEWS: Żejtun Parish Museum Official Opening

The museum before refurbishment

The Żejtun Parish Museum was officially reopened following complete refurbishment on Monday 18th November 2013 by His Excellency Dr George Abela, President of Malta.

The opening ceremony followed a choral concert by the Collegium Musicum choir under the directorship of Mro. Prof. Dion Buhagiar, Maestro di Cappella Cathedralis. The concert was held at the parish church and was well attended.

The museum after refurbishment

The refurbishment of the museum which was originally set up in the late 1950s, was a project which was planned by the late Fr Eric Overend and was partly funded through EU Funds under the Improvement of Tourism Facilities Fund managed by the Ministry for Tourism.

In contrast to the original set up, the new museum portrays a selection of historical artefacts and paintings which highlight the development of this important town in the East of Malta which was not only the centre of religious and cultural activity through the ages, but was also an area prone to frequent invasions and landing by the corsairs and the Ottoman fleet.

There were words of praise from all those who visited the museum not only to the display itself but also to the fine detailing of the presentation.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.