‘A Gift of Glory’ – the exhibition of the St John’s Co-Cathedral majestic tapestries which were a gift of Grand Master Ramon Perellos, was launched this morning. This exhibition marks the culmination of a 16-year project of conservation and restoration, ensuring that these magnificent tapestries will be preserved for future generations.
Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government Owen Bonnici said that these tapestries, with their intricate designs and rich colours, are a true “Gift of Glory” as they represent the pinnacle of artistic and cultural achievement, serving as a reminder of the power of art and culture to inspire, uplift, and transform. Minister Bonnici emphasized the exhibition’s touristic and cultural significance, inviting the Maltese public to visit and appreciate the tapestries’ beauty.
Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna showed his appreciation for this initiative and mentioned how the cooperation between the state and the Church bears great fruit. He invited the Foundation, that while it works on preservation, it does not forget that in its hands it has a temple of a living community that celebrates the Eucharist in a lively way. He added: “Here we are celebrating a glory that was given in the past, but it is not a glory of the past, it is a glory that has a future and it is ours.”
The President of the Foundation, Mgr. Prof. Emmanuel Agius, mentioned that this restoration and conservation project, which cost €1.3 million, funded by The Foundation, gave new life to this extraordinary temple and transformed it into a unique celebration of art and culture. The President expressed his gratitude towards all the Foundation’s employees who were present during the launch and thanked them for their hard work and dedication which contributed to the project’s success.
The set of tapestries was commissioned by the Grand Master of the Knights of St John, Frà Ramon Perellos y Roccafull, between 1697 and 1702. These magnificent tapestries display episodes from the Life of Christ and the Triumph of the Catholic Church. The set was sent to Belgium since 2006 and restored by the Royal Manufacturers De Wit Laboratories where the project was finalised in 2022. The majority of the tapestries measure 6.2 x 6.5m making this set of 750m2 the largest antique set in the world.
The exhibition will run till 24 June, and visitors are encouraged to experience the cultural and historical value of the tapestries first-hand. An open day is being held on Sunday 7 May, where admission will be free.
During the exhibition launch, an agreement was signed between The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation and Alfred Mizzi Foundation, with a €250,000 donation for the embellishment of the Tapestries Hall of the New Museum to be ready in the coming years.
The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation whilst thanking everyone who contributed to the success of this project, invited the public to visit the exhibition and witness the beauty of the tapestries. For more information one can call +356 21220571 or visit the site www.stjohnscocathedral.com.
