Photo: “St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta” by cliff.hellis
Firstly, let’s take in some history, culture and art combined.
St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta will be exhibiting its famous set of tapestries after an extensive 16 year restoration process, that took place at De Wit Laboratories, Belgium. The last time these artworks were displayed was during Pope St John Paul II’s visit to Malta in 1990.
Commissioned in 1697, the tapestries consist of 29 pieces depicting the Triumph of the Roman Catholic Church, scenes from the life of Christ and the twelve apostles. The majority of the tapestries were based on work by Rubens and woven in Brussels. They are considered a true masterpiece of European art.
This is a rare opportunity for visitors to see these magnificent tapestries and appreciate their beauty, historical and religious significance, at this unique UNESCO World Heritage site. Don’t miss this event, which is surely a highlight of Malta’s cultural calendar.
The tapestries will be on display from 5 May till 24 June 2023. Find more details here.
Photo: “Cittadella, Gozo” by planman
Culture of a different kind now, with an incredible evening of music in Gżira. A chance to experience one of the world’s largest Salsa orchestras, the sensational Guayacan Orquesta, direct from Colombia. A musical passport to the vibrant world of Latin America, this will be a night to remember! The show takes place at the Orpheum Theatreon May 5th, and there’s an after party with plenty of opportunity to get out on the dance floor.
Lastly, an amazing spectacle awaits you. Stroll along the narrow streets of Cittadella, surrounded by the gentle glow of over 30,000 candles, illuminating this historic city. This is Lejl Imkebbes, the annual festival of lights.
The magical atmosphere is accompanied by a stunning 360-degree panorama of Gozo’s landscape, villages, and churches, and a view across the sea to Malta. The festival includes a range of activities including historic re-enactments, special museum openings, access to other public venues of interest, live entertainment around the city, and lots of children’s activities. Be a part of the magic on Saturday, 20th May, from 6 pm onwards. Admission is free, and you can find more details on the official site here.
We will return with some more suggestions of unmissable experiences next month.