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MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ORGANIZES CULTURAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN MALTA AND MALLORCA
pr1865
07/12/2001
07/12/2001
Recuperating old ties
| A few centuries on, Malta has rediscovered a | long-lost relation. The Mediterranean island of Majorca, not more than 1hr 55 minutes away by plane, off the coast of Barcelona. Our most important claim to Majorcan ties are: the Grand Masters Nicolas and Rafael Cottoner who bequeathed us art, architecture and windmills. They, it is said, were responsible for introducing the use of a certain kind of windmill to Malta & Gozo, that is still common in Majorca today. Another Grand Master who ruled from the Palace in Valletta was Cardinal Depuig, who came from a very renowned family in Palma, capital of the island. |
| The years of trade and commerce between the two | islands in the 17th & 18th centuries, died down when the Knights left Malta in 1798. Surnames such as Schembri, Grech and Pace are to be found in the archives of the Palma town-hall. These families were merchants and Keepers of the King´s Gold (circa 1700, Pace ) |
| Over 200 years later, the perfect opportunity to | resuscitate the old friendship presented itself. The idea was to collaborate in the organisation of an exhibition on the Knights of St John and their influence on Mediterranean history. The exhibition was held in Palma in an emblematic Gothic building. This exhibition was inaugurated on 31 August 2000, by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain. Minister Louis Galea was guest of honour, representing the Maltese people. He was accompanied by Ms. Theresa Vella, Principal at the Museum of Fine Arts. The success of the exhibition was astounding - over 25.000 visitors in 2 months. |
| Shortly after the inauguration, on 6th | September 2000, President de Marco visited the exhibition whilst participating in the Mediterranean Heads of State Meeting held in the area of Formentor, North of Pollensa. He was a guest of President Francesc Antich, President of the Balearic Government. President de Marco was complimented on his knowledge and interest in Mediterranean affairs. |
| The outcome of the related events was not only a | sudden interest in Malta from Majorcan society at large, but a request from the Obra Cultural Balear to organise a "Cultural Embassy" to Malta to rediscover this long - lost Mediterranean relative. The OCB is probably the most important cultural organisation in the Balearics, a voice to be reckoned within the defence and promotion of local culture and language. The autochthonous language of the Balearic Islands is Catalan. 10.8 million persons live in Catalan-speaking Spain (Catalonya, Community of Valencia, Balearics). Within the EU it is the 7th most important language based on the number of inhabitants, following Dutch and preceding Greek. |
| The group of 65 members of the OCB led by their | President Toni Mir, and accompanied by members of the Balearic Government on a private visit, have planned an exhaustive programme to see and experience Malta and Gozo from 6 – 9 December. The highlights of the trip will be their visit to the Palace, where they shall pay a courtesy call on the President, the visit to St James Cavalier where Minister Galea has booked the Music Room for an evening of Majorcan / Maltese music and folklore, and a visit to Gozo where they shall be paying a courtesy call on Minister Giovanna Debono. |
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