Two large paintings located in the Basilica of the Visitation in Għarb, Gozo have undergone a completed conservation and restoration project, the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri and the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett said on Saturday whilst inaugurating the work.
The restoration work amounted to €40,000 and was 80% co-financed from European Union funds. One of the two restored paintings is the altar painting by 17th century Portuguese artist Emanuel Pereira which depicts the Virgin of Rosary. The other restored painting, attributed to the school of Mattia Preti from the 17th century, depicts the Virgin Mary and Jesus with souls in purgatory. These paintings were restored due to having been exposed to high levels of elements over the years and finding themselves in a state of deterioration.
Bonett said that in addition to the primary goal of beautification and conservation in order to pay tribute to these works of art, an additional goal, with the help of EU funds, was to increase the value of the Maltese tourism product.
He said that it is a priority for the Government to continue “improving Gozo’s competitiveness in the tourism sector through the promotion, protection, and preservation of natural, cultural, and historical assets which are intended to further improve the Gozitan cultural tourism experience” whilst also generating a greater influx of tourism to the island.
Minister Camilleri said that the restoration of the cultural and historical heritage of Gozo is important both in order to preserve the heritage left by the forefathers and also to continue attracting quality tourists who are visiting to enjoy this heritage. He added that this restoration was made possible due to the co-financing from European funds and concluded by saying that he looks forward to more work to be done to ensure that Gozo continues offering “a rich and unique experience to those who visit”.
This restoration work forms part of a series of restorations being carried out under the project ERDF.05.102 with the intention of strengthening the ecclesiastical and cultural heritage of Gozo for the coming generations. The project cost €2.24 million, €1.7 million of which was allocated from the European Regional Development Fund.
Project leader Noel Formosa, Archpriest Trevor Sultana, and Administrative Secretary of the Gozo Curia Anthony Bezzina were also present for the inauguration.