Bank of Valletta is sponsoring Blitz, an original, artistic show organised by a group of contemporary artists under the name of Start. This exhibition is being held in the underground chambers of the Couvre Porte war shelter in Vittoriosa.

Michael Galea, head of public relations at Bank of Valletta presented the bank’s sponsorship to Raphael Vella, the organiser of the exhibition and a member of Start at the artist’s studio. Mr Galea said, “Bank of Valletta encourages the development of arts and culture in Malta. We regularly support Maltese artists in their efforts, helping them to stage exhibitions which can then be enjoyed by the general public”.

“We are delighted to be associated with Blitz which will project an original fusion of art and heritage for the appreciation of all those who visit the exhibition,” he continued.

Mr Vella thanked Bank of Valletta for their support and said, “I chose this unique location for this event in order to commemorate the 60th anniversary since the end of the Second World War. But military conflicts are still a terrible reality today.

“The artists of Start will show Maltese artists are committed to dealing with issues that have been and are still relevant in our times. Visitors will experience the contemporariness of history in a series of poetic transformations of the underground spaces.”

The artists of Start are known for changing historical sites into contemporary living museums.

In the past, the group held exhibitions at the Old Prisons of Cittadella in Gozo, Pinto Stores in Valletta and an old brothel in Valletta.

The artists who will participate in Blitz are Norbert Francis Attard, Ruth Bianco, Austin Camilleri, Savio Deguara, Patrick Fenech, Charles Gatt, Anton Grech, Pierre Portelli and Raphael Vella.

The installations will be inaugurated on Thursday and the exhibition will remain open to the public until 1 June 2005. The war shelter is open between 10am and 4pm from Monday to Saturday.