In Malta, every church door opens onto more than a sacred space. It reveals centuries of history, devotion, artistry, and identity often guarded quietly in sacristies, chapels, and parish museums. Yet how well do we truly understand this patrimony? And how can we ensure that what has been entrusted to us remains safeguarded, studied, and appreciated for generations to come?
This month, a thought-provoking five-part series titled "Caring for Ecclesiastical Museums and Collections" will shed light on these compelling questions. The talks will be held Monday 24 to Friday 28 November at 6pm at the Church of the Holy Cross (Capuchins), Floriana, and are open to anyone passionate about Malta's sacred heritage.
Far from being a technical seminar, this series promises a captivating journey behind the scenes of church museums and heritage care. Participants will explore questions that spark curiosity, and sometimes controversy, including:
· Can works of art in churches be sold? What do Church and state law say when patrimony and finances collide?
· Seen one, seen them all? Are church museums simply similar rooms of silver, statues, and relics, or is each one a unique story waiting to be discovered?
· How do curators decide what to restore? What guides the careful selection of artworks for conservation, and how is irreversible damage prevented?
· Why do lists matter? What is the purpose of museum inventories, and how do they protect heritage?
· Do we only see a museum? How do scent, sound, touch, and movement contribute to a deeper pastoral and cultural encounter?
Each session stands independently, and all are free of charge and delivered in Maltese. Whether you already serve in heritage care or are simply curious to learn what lies beneath gilded frames and polished silver, you are warmly invited to join.
Registration: https://kapuccini.org/kura-patrimonju-ekklezjastiku/
Let us uncover, together, how Malta's spiritual treasures can be protected, not only in vaults and showcases, but in hearts, minds, and history.