Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja will be launching a Foundation aimed at helping children and giving something back to society.

The foundation is being set up through an agreement with Bank of Valletta (BOV).

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, BOV chairman John Cassar White said “The agreement provides for the setting up of the BOV Joseph Calleja foundation, a foundation that will be performing an important social role within the Maltese society. The foundation, which will be set up by the Bank and the artist, will be provided with the necessary financial and administrative structures to enable it to perform a strong social role in the Maltese community.”

Mr Cassar White explained that the agreement will form part of a three year partnership that will see Joseph Calleja endorse, acting as his main sponsor and being his exclusive banking services provider in Malta. 

Mr Calleja said that the foundation’s board will act autonomously, with transparency being of the utmost importance.

He described the foundation as acting as a “safety net under the safety net,” emphasising that it will not interfere with the work of other such organisations and NGOs.

“I have dreamt of setting up this foundation since the early stages of my career whereby I can contribute to the well-being of those most vulnerable within the Maltese society. Thanks to this agreement with BOV, we are putting in place the basis for this wish to be fulfilled and, together, we will be working to have the foundation launched over the coming months,” Mr Calleja said.