Charity Art Exhibition by Russian and Maltese Artists

Mrs Violet de Marco, the wife of The President o f Malta, will be inaugurating an exhibition of 150 paintings by Russian and Maltese artists organised by The Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce together with the International Charity Society at Palazzo De La Salle, Valletta. The exhibition will be open between the 7^th and 18^th October, 1999.

The International Charity Society has been involved during the past months in bringing Russian orphans and children from problem families for a dream holiday in Malta staying with Maltese host families. A number of disabled children have also been in Malta and the Society thanks all families and local state and other bodies who have supported its efforts, namely AirMalta for providing all possible assistance between Moscow and Malta.

The exhibition was made possible after contacts with Russian academies and state cultural organisations. The artists have committed themselves to donate 20% of their sales a fund-raising token to the International Charity Society. Proceeds from the exhibition will help pay air tickets for another group of orphans to visit Malta. The aritsts' participation is an expression of the Russian people's appreciation of the support and hospitality given by the Maltese to Russian unfortunate children. It is to be recalled that four containers of used clothes and foodstuffs have already been shipped to St. Petersburg by the Society after the generous response by the Maltese to its appeals last August.

The Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce is proud to host this exhibition, as it is another way through which artistic talents can contribute towards the supreme human culture of kind-heartedness and solidarity among nations.

Very rare banknotes and Russian coins dating back to Peter the Great's era will also be auctioned during the exhibition.

Two Russian painters have come to Malta especially for the exhibition and will be doing portraits of anyone wishing to have such a wonderful souvenir. All proceeds from the portraits will go towards this worthy cause. Portraits may also be done from photos in black oil. The artists will be present from Monday to Friday between 09.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Mrs de Marco, wife of The President of Malta, will officially inaugurate the exhibition on Thursday 7^th October, 1999 at 7.30 p.m. at Palazzo De La Salle at 219, Republic Street, Valletta. Chev. Godwin Drago, President of the Malta Society of Arts, will deliver the inauguration address. The highest Government and Church dignitaries will attend the opening ceremony.