The first sample of 10 paintings forming part of a collection belonging to Polish engineering magnate and art collector Zdzislaw Bieganski will be publicly exhibited for the first time tomorrow at the National Library in Valletta, this newspaper has learnt.

Mr Bieganski’s collection of more than 2,000 works of art is claimed to be worth millions of euros and features works by Michelangelo, Picasso, Renoir, Van Gogh and the likes.

The 91-year-old art collector fell in love with Malta when he first came here 40 years ago and is now a permanent Maltese resident. He said he now wants to put his art collection to good use by having it permanently exhibited in Malta to provide Malta’s young artistic talent with guidance.

The Bieganski Foundation was set up to manage the collection, and to promote the understanding and appreciation of art and other manifestations of visual culture, primarily of the modern and contemporary periods.

The foundation also aims to collect, conserve and study the art of our time, and it will realise this mission through exceptional exhibitions, educational programmes, research initiatives and publications and strives to engage and educate an increasingly diverse audience through cultural partnerships. Over the last few months the foundation has been negotiating with the government with a view to finding a suitable location to house the art collection in its entirety.

In the meantime, a sample of 10 paintings will be displayed for the first time during a soirée celebrating the European Day of Languages at the National Library in Valletta tomorrow. The event is being organised by the European Commission Representation in Malta in collaboration with Inizjamed and the Bieganski Foundation. The exhibition will be open to the public throughout next week until Saturday, Notte Bianca.