A number of important activities were held and financed or co sponsored by the Institute, which thus, for the fourth year running consolidated Its progamme especially in the context of promoting Maltese cultural activities in accordance with the Institute’s vocation. At the 40th anniversary of the International
Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM). a book on the trade of Maltese oranges between Malta and France in the 18th century – an initiative of the Fondation de Malte and the Editions Bouchene – was presented. by the centre’s president, Salvino Busuttil. The publication, written by Alain Blondy and introduced by Prof. Busuttil, is based on documents in the archives of the Wignacourt Museum in Rabat.
In June the Institute co-sponsored an exhibition “Malte, L’île Artiste” by the Maltese artist Gabriel Caruana at the City of Saint Tropez in Southern France. Gabriel Caruana is a Maltese born ceramist and sculptor who exhibited his work in various countries including UK, USA, Germany, Holland and Italy. He is particularly well known in the town of Faenza, Italy. Gabriel Caruana studied in Malta, Italy and the USA, and also under the well known British artist Victor Pasmore.
His works are represented in various collections and Museums both in Malta and other countries. His Art Gallery is in the historic windmill of ‘Ta’ Ganu’ in the town of B’Kara, Malta.
CATHEDRAL MUSEUM, MDINA
Mme Marie Amélie Gleizes Dewavrin has generously made an important contribution to the Museum to help the setting up of the Cathedral Archives within the premises that have been donated to it at Villegaignon Street last year by the Noble Agatha Formosa Gauci. This contribution is meant to provide the necessary means for the purchase of moveable scaffolding that will house the said Archives.
This donation, presented by Mme Gleizes Dewavrin, as President of the Institute for Maltese Culture, was received by Mgr Prof. Praecentor Vincent Borg as President of the Museum through of Deed of Donation entered in the Acts of Notary Dr Francis Micallef on the 7th. October 2003.
The intervention of professor Salvino Busuttil, former Chairman of the Cathedral Museum Resources Council, was providential in securing this donation.
