The opening ceremony of the exhibition of ceramics sculptures by Paul Haber took place at the majestic Entrance Hall to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 3 September.

Christopher Grayson, President of the Arts Club, introduced the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis, who made an opening speech after which Judge Giovanni Bonello officially inaugurated the exhibition.

Mr Davis was delighted to get to know Paul Haber and more about Malta, its culture and its rich prehistory with our temples being older than the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge of England, with remains and graffiti from those times.

Judge Giovanni Bonello introduced Paul as a leading ceramic artist who started off at the Malta School of Art (which was incidentally founded by his own father Chev. Vincent Bonello) and after acquiring a sound foundation in sculpture under the renowned Maltese sculptors George Borg and Vincent Apap branched off to produce original works of art of a such a dimension which makes a name for himself and an honour to Malta and the Maltese.

The official ceremony was also attended by four MEPs namely Simon Busuttil, David Casa, Louis Grech and Joseph Muscat. The Maltese Ambassador to the Council of Europe Joe Licari, and the Ambassador to the European Union Richard Cachia Caruana also honoured Paul Haber with their presence. Mr Licari, like many Maltese present expressed his pride for Paul’s exhibition and said that it did a lot of good to our country since many people in Strasbourg do not know Malta except politically.

A presentation about Paul Haber and his work was projected during the evening, with original music inspired by Paul’s ceramics, written and played by the Maltese duo Particle Blue.

The exhibition was successful and very well received by the numerous guests at the vernissage, many of whom were administrators, Art Club members, art lovers, artists, and experts working at the Council of Europe. Everybody thanked Paul for bringing his impressive ceramics to Strasbourg for them to enjoy and encouraged him to keep it up.

The exhibition which is being sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment, Bank of Valletta and Alka Ceramics will remain open at the Council of Europe till the end of September.