The Vodafone Malta Foundation will be donating Lm15,000 over a three year period to Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti. These funds will go towards the current restoration and restructuring of the Palazzo itself, as well as the conservation and restoration of its forty-five collections. The first donation of Lm5,000 was presented by Vodafone Malta Foundation chairperson, Mrs Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, to Patrimonju’s president, Mr Maurice de Giorgio.

Palazzo Falson was bought by Olaf Frederick Gollcher OBE (1889–1962) in 1927. Mr Gollcher was dedicated to the conservation of Malta’s cultural heritage. His interest in archaeology resulted in the formation of the Mediterranean Institute of Underwater Archaeology, which was successful in recovering numerous artefacts. During his life, Mr Gollcher was also an ardent collector of objets d’art including paintings, silver, furniture, jewellery, oriental rugs and armoury.

“The project to restore Palazzo Falson, also known as the Norman House, began in 2001 following an agreement between the Captain O.F. Gollcher Art and Archaeological Foundation and Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti. Through this agreement Patrimonju has been entrusted with managing Palazzo Falson with the aim of re-opening the Palazzo as a historic house-museum. This has been a very challenging undertaking and the Vodafone Malta Foundation is only too happy to be supporting this effort, the results of which will be enjoyed by both Maltese and foreign visitors alike,” said Mrs Mifsud Bonnici.

“Since being established in 1992, Patrimonju has built an unrivalled reputation in promoting and preserving Maltese culture both in Malta and overseas. Through putting on prestigious exhibitions of treasures that form part of Malta’s cultural heritage, the foundation has brought to the public a vast range of previously unknown hidden artefacts. Patrimonju is also responsible for the well-established magazine Treasures of Malta, that is published three times yearly, and also publishes books connected with Malta’s cultural heritage attracting contributions from erudite historians,” said Mr de Giorgio.

“Patrimonju has been working hard for three years in order to restore Palazzo Falson to its former grandeur. Along the way, we have made many interesting discoveries about the history of the house and I am sure that once the building is reopened for the public, it will provide a fascinating experience. Taking on such a task requires a lot of financing and Patrimonju could not continue with the progress it has achieved without the support of organisations like the Vodafone Malta Foundation,” concluded Mr de Giorgio.