Gozo Anniversaries from the Deposits at the National Archives

FROM THE DEPOSITSJOSEPH ATBEZZINA THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 1

GOZO ANNIVERSARIES FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

EXHIBITION CATALOGUE

Sponsored by

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The exhibition is divided into two sections – each of which is made up of 25 items commemorating the 25 years of the NAG. The first consists of documents related to the various anniversaries being commemorated, a number of which have been brought from the National Archives, Malta. All of them are being exhibited for the first time. The second compliments the written sources by a number of illustrations related to the same.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, known or yet to be invented, for any purpose whatsoever, without the written permission of the National Archives (Gozo Section) and the author, which permission must be obtained beforehand.

Acknowledgements

• DR JOSEPH BEZZINA, Assistant National Archivist, wishes to express his special thanks to Charles J. Farrugia, the National Archivist; to Francesco Pio Attard, Paul Falzon, and MaryAnn Curmi, Archives Assistants at the National Archives (Gozo); to John Cremona, Ministry for Gozo; Anthony Zammit, Director EcoGozo; Oliver Saliba, EcoGozo; for their dedication and help.

• Most of the photographs in the exhibition were shot and edited by PAUL FALZON, the Archives Assistant. The others were kindly provided by DANIEL CILIA. Their indispensable collaboration is acknowledged with sincere appreciation and thanks.

• Thanks are also due to George Cassar, Officer-in-Charge, and to all the staff at the National Library, Gozo – with which the National Archives shares the premises – for their collaboration throughout the whole year.

• A word of appreciation is due above all to Mr Patrick Fenech, Branch Manager HSBC ▪ Gozo, whose support and sponsorship made possible the publication of this catalogue.

Printed and bound in Malta GOZO PRESS, Triq l-Imġarr, Għajnsielem-Gozo. GSM 9016 (+356) 2155-1534

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JOSEPH BEZZINA GOZO ANNIVERSARIES ON THE OCCASION OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR FROM THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO ▪▪▪ ANNIVERSARJI GĦAWDXIN FL-OKKAŻJONI TAL-ĦAMSA U GĦOXRIN SENA MILL-INAWGURAZZJONI TAL-ARKIVJU NAZZJONALI TA’ GĦAWDEX

CATALOGUE OF AN EXHIBITION HELD ON THE OCCASION OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO SECTION (1989-2014)

OPENED BY DR ANTON REFALO MINISTER FOR GOZO 24 NOVEMBER 2014

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NATIONAL ARCHIVES (GOZO) EXHIBITION CATALOGUE • 14

1 • A sample of documents of the history of Gozo from the sixteenth to the twentieth century, Gozo 1989. 2 • A sample of documents of the history of Gozo from the sixteenth to the twentieth century, Gozo 1994. 3 • The Region of Gozo – Ir-Reġjonalità ta’ Għawdex, Gozo 2004. 4 • Gozo, a historical glimpse, Gozo 2005. 5 • Saverio Cassar (1805–2005), Gozo 2005. 6 • Religious aspects of life in Gozo, Gozo 2006. 7 • The Citadel – the crown of Gozo, Gozo 2007. 8 • The coastal defences of Gozo, Gozo 2008. 9 • Herbs, health, and hospitals of Gozo past, Gozo 2009. 10 • Gozo domestic architecture – a dwindling heritage, Gozo 2010. 11 • Fiftieth anniversary from the foundation of the Gozo Civic Council, Gozo 2011. 12 • Città Victoria – one hundred twenty five years a city, Gozo 2012. 13 • Engagements and Weddings in Gozo past, Gozo 2013. 14 • Gozo Anniversaries, Gozo 2014.

Some of the above catalogues are still available at the NAG•National Archives (Gozo) • tel: 2155-8833.

A souvenir postcard (No 8) – available at the NAG•National Archives (Gozo) – has been issued for the occasion.

Abbreviations

ACG ARCHIVUM CATHEDRALE GAUDISIENSE CG CURIA GUBERNATORIALI [COURTS OF GOZO] CSG CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT GOV DESPATCHES TO/FROM GOVERNMENT NAG NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO SECTION NAM NATIONAL ARCHIVES MALTA NAR NOTARIAL ARCHIVES, RABAT/VICTORIA-GOZO OPM OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER PA PHOTOGRAPHS AND ALBUMS

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NAG • The National Archives (Gozo Section)

The NAG – the National Archives (Gozo Section) – serves as the deposit for the records produced or received by Government entities in Gozo in the transaction of their affairs. It is housed in a purposely built hall adjacent to the Public Library of Gozo. The ball was set rolling on 1 August 1989, when the Ministry for Gozo engaged Joseph Bezzina, an archivist by profession, to set up the archives. The first documents to be moved in were the registers of the former Universitas Gaudisii – a regional government founded around 1350 to manage the island and promote local interests. Only about 300 registers, dating from 1560 to its suppression in 1818, are preserved. The NAG was officially inaugurated on 24 November 1989 – twenty five years ago – by Anton Tabone, then Minister for Gozo, and Dr Ugo Mifsud-Bonnici, then Minister of Education. This was over two months before the Malta Parliament enacted the Act to regulate the National Archives on 30 January 1990. The NAG was conceived as the public record office for the documentation produced and received by past and present Government departments and establishments in the islands of Gozo and Comino. In 1991, the Staff Development Organisation of the Office of the Prime Minister clearly laid down that: Records originated by the Ministry for Gozo, Gozo sections of government departments, and by public bodies established for Gozo should be deposited at the Gozo Section of the National Archives which has been set up adjoining the Gozo Public Library (Circular OPM/E/82/83 [July 1991]).

The NAG has twenty-seven different FONDS, deposits coming from an equal number of entities. Each fond is divided into as many SECTIONS as is deemed necessary to reflect the various responsibilities or activities of the entity. It is possible

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that a particular single office produced records related to various activities. In that case each activity is considered a separate section and numbered accordingly to avoid the splitting of sections into sub-sections. Every single ITEM in each section is given a consecutive number. The fonds in the alphabetical order of the cataloguing code with the period covered are the following:

AG National Archives (Gozo Section) 1989+ CA Civil Abattoir 1891 – 1986 CC Civic Council 1959 – 1973 CG Curia Gubernatorali (Courts of Law) 1609+ CI Charitable Institutions 1859 – 1947 CP Circulars and Posters 1814+ DF Documentaries and Films 1988+ GB Malta Government Savings Bank 1853 – 1978 GL Ġurdan Lighthouse 1877 – 1981 GM Ġuljana Masini 1554 – 1930 HI Hospitals and other Institutions 1841+ IR Inland Revenue 1903+ LC Local Councils 1993+ MG Ministry for Gozo 1987+ MH Medical and Health Department 1875 – 1970 MP Monte di Pietà 1817 – 1979 PA Photographs. Albums 1945+ PD Police Departments 1889+ PM Plans and maps 1860+ PO Passport Office 1988+ PW Public Works 1840+ SG Secretariat to the Government 1803+ SN Street naming 1987+ SS State Schools 1845+ ST Statistics 1667+ UG Universitas Gaudisii 1560 – 1819 ZM Miscellanea 1575+

Records are catalogued in a four-level system – a system that most clearly reflects the workings of each entity. Level 1 is the depository (NAG); level 2, the fond or entity (UG); level 3, the section (section 1 in this fond or entity, being Acta et Negotia); and level 4, the single item (for example, volume 1).

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GOZO ANNIVERSARIES

Twenty-four November one thousand and eighty-nine was a memorable day for Gozo. That morning, Anton Tabone, Minister for Gozo, with Dr Ugo Mifsud-Bonnici, Minister for Education, inaugurated the NAG – the Gozo Section of the National Archives. The idea of a National Archives for Gozo was of the former, the latter concurred with the plan. At that time, the majority, to be frank, were unaware of the happening notwithstanding that it was publicized as one of the official events commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of Malta Independent. The number of those who understood the necessity of an archive was negligible. By the passage of years, the institution has tried with success to make itself more present in the community. As a matter of fact, a steadily increasing number of people began to visit and make use of the fonds at the archives. The number of researchers at the NAG during 2013 was 449, a significant increase of more than 53% on the previous year. The number of research hours amounted to 392, the number of items consulted to 768. The annual exhibition at the NAG will this year commemorate, first of all, this twenty-five year-long achievement. The Archives started with one fond, that of the Universitas Gaudisii with about 300 volumes, and twenty-five years later it has been enriched by a total of twenty-seven fonds and around 16,000 volumes and items. The year 2014 marks a number of other important anniversaries in Gozo and it was decided to commemorate all of them with twenty-five documents and twenty-five illustrations. ▪ 400 years ago, on 21 October 1614, Eugenio-Romirez Maldonado, a former Governor of Gozo from Salamanca, donated a statue of Saint Ursula with a relic of her arm-bone to the Matrice, the present Cathedral Church.

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▪ 200 years ago, on 18 February 1814, the dreaded bubonic plague that had raged in Malta the previous year, broke out in Xagħra-Gozo leaving some 104 victims. ▪ 150 years ago, on 16 September 1864, Blessed Pope Pius IX conceded to the requests and wishes of the priests and people of Gozo and established Gozo and Comino into an autonomous diocese through the Bull Singulari Amore – With remarkable love. ▪ 100 years ago, on 29 July 1914, His Grace Monsignor Pietro Pace, former bishop of Gozo (1877-1889) and archbishop of Malta, one of the most eminent Gozitans of all time, died in Victoria-Gozo. ▪ 50 years ago, on 16 September 1964, the Diocese of Gozo commemorated the one hundredth anniversary of its foundation. ▪ 50 years ago, on 21 September 1964, Malta and Gozo became an independent state and formal members of the Commonwealth. ▪ 25 years ago, on 24 November 1989, the Gozo section of the National Archives was officially inaugurated.

The exhibition revisits and revives the memory of these events through documents and illustrations.

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The opening of the NAG▪National Archives Gozo (see Illustration 1).

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St Ursula with the priceless necklace (see Illustration 2). Votive procession in honour of St Ursula (see Illustration 3).

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DOCUMENTS

25 YEARS AGO OPENING OF THE NAG▪ NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO

The NAG▪National Archives Gozo was officially inaugurated on 24 November 1989 by Anton Tabone, then Minister for Gozo, and Dr Ugo Mifsud-Bonnici, then Minister of Education. The opening formed part of the twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations of Malta’s independence.

01 24 NOV 1989 OPENING OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO NAG▪NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO, AG, 05/01 ▪ PA, 01/2262 This inauguration of the NAG took place two months before the Malta Parliament enacted the Act to regulate the National Archives (30 January 1990). The NAG is now regulated by The National Archives Act, Act V (2005) enacted by the Parliament of Malta on 10 May 2005. The NAG was set up by Dr Joseph Bezzina, a professional archivist, at the request of Anton Tabone, the first Minister for Gozo. This file preserves the official programme and the commemorative opening speech.

400 YEARS AGO ARRIVAL OF STATUE OF SAINT URSULA IN GOZO

Saint Ursula is reputed to be a princess virgin from Britannia martyred by the Huns near Cologne. In 1614, Eugenio-Romirez Maldonado, a former Governor of Gozo from Salamanca, donated a statue of the saint with a relic of her arm-bone to the Matrice, the present Cathedral Church. The people immediately started to recur to

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the saint in times of need and to invoke her against natural catastrophe. On 6 September 1620, a local Synod declared her Patron Saint of Gozo.

02 21 OCT 1614 SAINT URSULA – PATRON AND PROTECTOR OF GOZO NAG, UG, 01/104 (Lettere [1805-1806]) Three votive processions, in which the civil authorities also took part, were held throughout the year. One took place on 21 October, her feast day, from the Matrice to the Banca Giuratale, the seat of the Università, the local Government, where prayers were chanted to invoke her protection over Gozo. Until 1822, her feast day was a holy day and a national festivity in Gozo. This document is a letter of 3 July 1805 addressed by Notary Giuseppe Bondì, Dr Salvatore Cassar, Notary Michelangelo Calleja, and Computista Daniele Garroni to Sir Alexander-John Ball, Civil Commissioner for Malta. Referring to the saint as: Sant’Orsla, padrona e protettrice dell’Isola – Saint Ursula, patron and protector of Gozo, they inform Ball that the British, who took over the finances of the Università, were not honouring a centuries-old custom to provide funds for the lamp lit in front of the saint every day of the year. The annual offering had by that time amounted to 18 Scudi, 3 Tarì, and 18 Grani; tmintax-il skut, tlieta rbgħajja, u tmintax-il ħabba. They firmly requested him to comply without unnecessary delay.

200 YEARS AGO PLAGUE EPIDEMIC AT XAGĦRA

Early in 1812, bubonic plague broke out in Constantinople. On 7 April 1813, a seaman died from the plague at the Isolation Hospital in Malta. A very strict quarantine was put into force, normal contact between the islands of Malta and Gozo was prohibited, and Gozo was freed from the epidemic. Free communications between the villages of Malta and between the islands was again permitted on 29 January 1814 – only the village of Qormi was still cordoned off as plague still

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 13 raged there. With the lifting of restrictions, Anġlu Galea, known among friends as tar-Rugajl, decided to travel to Xagħra, Gozo to visit his daughter. He brought the plague to Gozo.

03 20 MAR 1814 BUBONIC PLAGUE REACHES GOZO NAM▪NATIONAL ARCHIVES MALTA, Gov, 01/08 Sir Thomas Maitland, the first Governor of Malta, informed Henry Bunbury, Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, that the plague had resurfaced in Gozo and that, after investigation, he found out that “it was carried to Gozo by a man who being liberated from quarantine, antecedent to his leaving this island, dug up and carried off a small box containing wearing apparel which he had buried previous to being sent to the Lazaretto – and which he did not open till he got to Gozo.” He also informed him that “it has been already confined to the spot of the island where it broke out”. The wearing apparel was an għonnella, a typical Maltese headdress made of imported black silk, that he donated to his daughter Rużarja married to a certain Gejtan Xerri. Anġlu soon felt very ill on the eve of Giovedì grasso and he died in the little hours of Friday, 18 February. The authorities carried out an inquiry on his sudden death but the cause was not immediately diagnosed. Ten days later Rużarja died too and, on 2 March, the gravedigger was dead as well. The plague left some 104 victims. On 26 July, the Governor lifted both cordons surrounding Xagħra and the people could once again leave their village. It was only on 14 September that the Government allowed communications between Gozo and Malta to resume normally.

04 18 FEB 1814 DEATH REGISTRATION OF ANĠLU GALEA NAG, GM, 01/32, 177r The record of the death of Anġlu Galea in the Ġuljana Masini carries a marginal note stating, “portava la pesta da Malta – he carried the plague from Malta”.

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05 27 JUN 1814 PERMISSION TO GO OUT FISHING DURING PLAGUE NAG, ZM, 01/51 Permission granted by N. Andora, Deputato Ispettore Generale di Polizia, to Giorgio Borg and companions to go out fishing in the area between Ir-Ramla and the middle of the Gozo-Malta channel during the plague of 1814. Due to the quarantine rules being enforced at that time, permission was granted on condition: (1) that they would not touch at Comino or Malta; (2) that they avoid any contact with other boats; and (3) that they fly a yellow flag from the boat.

06 29 NOV 1814 CHARITIES DURING PLAGUE AMOUNTED TO 4000 SCUDI NAG, SG, 04/17 (1814-1815) The British spent the sum of four thousand Scudi, in what this letter terms as carità, during the raging of the plague at Xagħra. In the letter, Giuseppe Casolani, writing in assenza dell’Agente Secretario Principale, requests the giurati of the Università of Gozo to provide this sum from their funds. The sum had to be handed over to Major Robert Carter. On 15 October 1814, Carter had been appointed Commander of the Forces and Chief Civil Officer in Gozo. Casolani also informed the jurats that this note should be considered as proof enough of the expenses, inferring the British were not going to provide a break-down to the Università of how the money was spent.

150 YEARS AGO FOUNDATION OF THE DIOCESE OF GOZO

With remarkable love, on 16 September 1864, one hundred and fifty years ago, Blessed Pope Pius IX conceded to the requests and wishes of the priests and people of Gozo and established Gozo and Comino into an autonomous diocese. They had striven for sixty-six long years to achieve that goal. It all began on 30 October 1798, when Saverio Cassar, Archpriest of the Gozo Matrice and leader of the successful

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Gozitan blockade against the French, addressed the first petition for the establishment of a bishopric on the island. Towards the end of their quest, the Gozitans found the helping hand of the British as some of the following documents attest.

07 25 OCT 1860 THE BRITISH BACK A DIOCESE FOR GOZO NAM, Gov, 01/04/03 The Vatican was reluctant to start the procedure for the establishment the diocese without the crystal clear approval of the British authorities with whom the papal Government was then striving hard to keep the best of relations to convince them from taking sides in the thorny question of the Risorgimento, the quest for the unification of Italy. The Gozitans were convinced that if they succeeded to gain the British approval other difficulties would simply dissolve. After being induced from Gozo, the Vatican sought that approval from the Foreign Office in London on 12 September 1860. Lord (John) Russell, the Foreign Secretary, sought in turn the views of the Colonial Office. On 26 September, Henry, Duke of Newcastle, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, inquired Sir John Gaspard Le Marchant, the Governor of Malta, whether there was any reason to object to the proposed diocese. The Governor discussed the matter with Adrian Dingli, Crown Advocate, and, on 25 October, he drafted his approval. The original (of which this is the official copy) stretches thirty-two pages and has seventeen lengthy enclosures appended. In his letter, the Governor not only consented to the proposed erection of a Diocese, but also expounded on the bountiful benefits that would be reaped as a result. The import of this despatch was unfathomable: enough to say that 25 October 1860 marked the beginning of the longed-for solution.

08 09 MAR 1861 THE RELUCTANCE OF THE VATICAN NAM, CSG, 03/860 In this letter, Odo Russell, the British diplomat who unofficially represented the British Government at the Vatican, informed

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Governor Le Marchant that notwithstanding his efforts with the Cardinal Secretary of State to promote a diocese for Gozo, he made little headway “in consequence of the great reluctance of the Vatican to undertake any changes whatsoever in ecclesiastical matters”. This letter bears witness to the fact that the British were going out of their way to support and appease the Gozitan request.

09 03 MAY 1861 MORE PRESSURE FROM ODO RUSSELL NAM, CSG, 03/863 Odo Russell wrote this letter to keep Sir John Gaspard Le Marchant abreast of the problems concerning the Gozo question. He also enclosed a copy of a letter that he had written on the same day to Lord Russell, Secretary of State. In this letter, he informed the Secretary that he had brought up the matter of the diocese of Gozo in no less than four consecutive meetings with Giacomo Cardinal Antonelli, the Pope’s Secretary of State, to fathom “the present intentions of the Papal Government”. He concluded that according to him “the Pope has really given up making any changes in the spiritual administration of the island of Gozo”.

10 29 MAY 1861 GOVERNOR’S PERSONAL INTEREST IN REQUEST NAM, CSG, 03/867 Sir John Gaspard Le Marchant, Governor of Malta, wrote to Odo Russell in Rome, informing him of the letter he despatched to Lord John Russell on the state of the Gozo question. He emphasised the fact that Giacomo Cardinal Antonelli should consider the request of Gozo and other matters in the light of “the protection, which the Church in Malta has ever had at the British Government – a protection the extent of which that Church does not enjoy in any other Roman Catholic country”. He reiterated that, contrary to what the Cardinal might think, “the dismemberment of Gozo from the Diocese of Malta... [had never] been raised by this Government... The Government of Malta has

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 17 never made, or caused to be made any representation to the Pope”. The initiative lay purely with the inhabitants of Gozo.

11 05 DEC 1862 CONTRIBUTORS FOR THE MENSA OF THE BISHOP NAG, CG, 04/254, 308r-310r The Holy See considered the formation of a mensa – the necessary resources for the sustenance of a bishop – a sine qua non before the establishment of a new diocese, lest the bishop-to-be would find himself in a state of poverty. The promoters of the diocese, fully aware of this condition, initiated a fund for the purpose. They solemnly declared that they were ready to go out of their way per la nomina del suddetto Vescovo Diocesano per questa nostra Patria. Those subscribing to this list or arbular promised to offer a set amount of money every year until funds for the mensa were amassed from other sources. The contributors, that include many priests and professionals from Gozo, bound themselves to offer a total of 895 Scudi annually for the purpose. All this is referred to in suit at the Gozo Law Courts.

12 03 OCT 1864 BISHOP INFORMS GOVERNOR OF HIS APPOINTMENT NAM, CSG, 02, Vol. 90 /1864 Through this letter, Bishop Michele-Francesco Buttigieg informed Governor Le Marchant that “coll’ultima posta ho ricevuto gli Atti Concistoriali del 22 ultimo – by the last mail I received the Consistorial Acts of the 22nd ultimo”, by which His Holiness the Pope has been pleased to erect the Church of this island into a Diocese”.

13 13 OCT 1864 GOVERNOR INFORMED ON DATE OF SOLEMN ENTRY NAM, CSG, 02, Vol. 90 /1864 ▪ NAG, PA, 01/2263 Ten days later, Bishop Michele-Francesco Buttigieg wrote again to Governor Le Marchant to inform him that he had also received the

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Papal Bull Singulari Amore as well as that of his election. “Coll’ultima postale mi sono giunte le Bolle Pontificie”. In consequence of these, he proceeded, he will make his Solemn Entry into the Cathedral on Sunday, 23 October 1864.

14 20 OCT 1864 FIRST FORMAL LETTER OF FIRST BISHOP OF GOZO NAG, CP, 02/02 Michael-Francesco Buttigieg, first Bishop of Gozo, addressed his first circular letter to the priests and people of Gozo, on 20 October, three days before his solemn entry into the Gozo Cathedral. In this handwritten letter, signed by the Bishop, he announced his appointment, outlined the programme of the following days, and invited the inhabitants of Gozo to the ceremonies taking place from Friday 21 to Monday 24 October 1864.

15 OCTOBER 22+24 DECLARED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN GOZO The Malta Government Gazette (28 Oct 1864) 149 Government Notice – Notificazione dei Governo declaring “the 22nd and 24th days of the present month of October, on which days the festivals and solemnities in connection with the erection of the Diocese of Gozo, and the inauguration of its first Bishop are to take place, to be holiday in that island”. The Notice carries the signature of William Brett, Acting Chief Secretary to Government.

16 22 NOV 1864 FIREWORKS ON THE OCCASION OF SOLEMN ENTRY NAG, CG, 10/82, 77r-101v On the occasion of the solemn entry, Giovanni-Agostino Cutajar, an Agostinian friar, was commissioned by the committee to prepare an artificio di fuoco or giochi di fuoco, a fireworks display. Cutajar, ordained 1835, had probably learned the art in Sicily where he was partly educated for the priesthood. He was given the sum of eight

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 19 pounds sterling (£8) to buy the necessary pyrotechnic material. He offered his services free of charge. Bills for the setting up of the fireworks on poles and other related costs are annexed in this court register due to the fact that some of those who had helped Cutajar in the setting up of the fireworks pretended immediate compensation.

17 22 NOV 1864 BAND PROGRAMME IN FRONT OF ST JAMES CHURCH NAG, CG, 10/82, 189r ▪ NAG, PA, 01/2264 On Sunday, 23 October 1864, on the occasion of the Solemn Entry of the Bishop, the people were entertained to a band programme upon the main square of It-Tokk. The platform upon which the band played was placed upon the parvis of the church of Saint James (San Ġakbu) and set up by Michelangelo Buhagiar, a carpenter. Its setting-up cost 2 Scudi, 4 Tarì, and 16 Grani; żewġ skuti, erbgħa rbgħajja, u sittax-il ħabba; as is proven by this document. After less than a month, Buhagiar, afraid that he would not be paid, presented this court summons against Notary Felice Cremona, a member of the organizing committee, to get what was due to him. He got the money immediately.

18 23 DEC 1864 BISHOP GRANTED ALL PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES NAM, Gov, 02/01/62 In this letter, Edward Cardwell, Under-Secretary of State at the Colonial Office, informed Sir Henry K. Storks, the newly appointed Governor of Malta, to take the appropriate measures and eventually legislate so that the privileges and immunities granted to the Archbishop of Malta would be extended to the newly established bishopric of Gozo. Bishop Buttigieg, in the previously quoted letter (13 Oct 1864), had requested Governor Le Marchant “to grant to me and to my successors in the Diocese, those privileges and immunities which the laws accord to the Archbishop-Bishop of Malta; and as far as it lies in

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my power I will not fail to conform to all such prescriptions, laws, and formalities as are usually observed by the aforesaid Archbishop- Bishop of Malta, in the same manner as if those laws expressly referred to the Diocese and the Bishop of Gozo”. Ordinance VIII (1865) was eventually enacted “to make certain provisions and to remove certain doubts arising in consequence of the separation of the islands of Gozo and Comino from Diocese of Malta” (Malta Government Gazette [30 Jun 1865] 225-226).

19 22 NOV 1864 SOUVENIR OF THE GOZO CELEBRATIONS NAG, ZM, 01/479 A few weeks after the establishment of the diocese, the organizing committee published a small book with a chronicle of the celebrations – Narrazione Storica delle feste celebrate nell’Isola del Gozo in occasione dell’erezione della Collegiata Matrice in Chiesa Cattedrale e dell’Ingresso Solenne di Mons. D. M. Francesco Buttigieg, Primo Vescovo dell’Isola medesima. It included an etching of the first bishop of Gozo.

20 1798–1864 HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISMENT OF THE DIOCESE NAG, ZM, 01 – PRINTED SOURCES A detailed chronicle of the sixty-six year long saga of the establishment of the diocese of Gozo is documented in the book Religion and Politics in a Crown Colony. The Gozo-Malta Story (1798-1864). The book is based on the doctoral thesis of Joseph Bezzina, the present Assistant National Archivist. “This [work] distinguishes itself for the detailed documentation sifted successfully in a score of archives. Joseph Bezzina carried out research in his native Gozo, in Malta, Palermo, Naples, Rome, and London... The quoted selections from hundreds of previously unpublished documents together with the clarity and vividness with which place and people are described contribute towards an accurate exposition of facts...

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“The end result is an outstanding history of an island where, through a succession of events, its religion and politics overflowed beyond the confines of its shore involving in the process the Courts of Rome and London, the Papacy and the Crown” – Foreword by Professor Giacomo Martina.

100 YEARS AGO DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP PIETRO PACE

Don Pietro Pace was born in Rabat-Gozo of middle-class parents on 9 April 1831. In his early years, he was instructed by the best tutors on the island and, later, he proceeded to the Malta Seminary and the Faculty of Theology of La Sapienza, the University of Rome, from where he graduated Doctor of Divinity on 13 November 1852. He was ordained priest on 17 December 1853. On 26 June 1856, he graduated Doctor of Law iuris utriusque. Until September 1858, he was private secretary to Vincenzo Cardinal Santucci (1796-1861). Bishop Gaetano Pace-Forno recalled him to Malta and appointed him professor of Sacred Scripture at the Seminary. Later he also taught Moral Theology at the Royal University of Malta. He was instrumental in the establishment of the diocese of Gozo that materialized on 16 September 1864. On 3 December 1864, he became the first Vicar General. He was appointed the third bishop of Gozo on 12 March 1877 and, eventually, archbishop of Malta on 11 February 1889.

21 25 JUL 1914 VACANCY IN THE SEE OF MALTA NAM, Ecclesiastical, 3073/1914 Archbishop Pietro Pace travelled to Gozo early in July 1914 with a bronchial pneumonia. He went for a few days in his summerhouse at Il-Ponta ta’ Santa Marija, Marsalforn, but as his condition deteriorated, he was taken to his family home in Victoria. Sir Leslie Rundle, Governor of Malta (1909-1915), was kept abreast of his condition on a daily basis as recorded in this file. Late at night on 24

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July, being “in a critical condition, the Holy Viaticum and Extreme Unction were administered to him”. Early the following morning (25 July), Sir Leslie despatched a telegram in cipher to London to inform Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies (1910-1915) that “Pietro Pace, Archbishop of Malta, is dangerously ill and that in view of advanced age there is probability of a vacancy shortly occurring in the See of Malta”.

22 29 JUL 1914 DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP PIETRO PACE NAM, Ecclesiastical, 3140/1914 Archbishop Pietro Pace died in his family home in Triq Wara San Franġisk, later renamed after him, at 5.50 in the morning of 29 July 1914 at the age of 83. The Acting Superintendence of Police informed the Governor of the Archbishop’s passing away through a telegram that reached the Palace at 6.55 am. At 8.20 am, the Governor sent a telegram to Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to inform him that the Archbishop had died. There other notifications on the funeral. Late that morning, the Government issued an extraordinary edition of The Malta Government Gazette (29 Jul 1914) to announce his passing away. Sir Leslie Rundle also “directed that all places of amusement in Malta and Gozo shall be kept close today, the 29th July, and the date fixed for the funeral... [on which day] the Courts of Justice and all public Offices in the two islands will be kept closed.” A Special Command Order under the signature of Captain C. Ogston, announced his death to the troops “with profound regret”. Archbishop Pace had the honorific title of Brigadier General. The funeral took place at the Cathedral of Gozo on Friday, 31 July 1914. Large crowds lined the whole route of the funeral from Pjazza San Franġisk to the Cathedral. Neither the Governor, nor Admiral Sir Berkeley Milne, Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces, were present for the funeral. Archbishop Pace was neither accorded the military honours as befitted a Brigadier-General. The Governor did send a beautiful bouquet of dahlia. Their absence was not due to lack of respect, but to the fact that

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 23 the naval forces were on high alert due to the rapidly deteriorating political situation in Europe. Three days later, on 4 August 1914, the United Kingdom entered the War — it become the First World War.

50 YEARS AGO FIRST CENTENARY OF THE DIOCESE OF GOZO

The first centenary celebrations of the foundation of the Diocese of Gozo were supposed to take place in September 1964, a few days before Malta became independent. However, after Giuseppe Pace, Bishop of Gozo, fell and broke his arm, celebrations were postponed to May 1965.

23 20 MAY 1964 – 15 MAY 1965 FIRST CENTENARY OF FOUNDATION OF THE DIOCESE NAM, OPM, 784/1864 ▪ NAG, ZM, 01/560 (copy) A file on the centenary celebrations at the OPM▪Office of the Prime Minister provides a lot of information on the organization. This includes a letter signed by Sir Maurice Dorman, Governor- General of Malta, to Giorgio Borg-Olivier, Prime Minister, informing him that “the Military authorities had very kindly agreed to provide a Guard-of-Honour at Mġarr Landing Place on the occasion of the arrival at Gozo of His Eminence Cardinal Traglia. The Guard-of- Honour ... (will be) mounted by the 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex, who will also beat the retreat on the Main Square, Victoria, in the evening of the same day.” The Governor-General also informed the Prime Minister that he was pleased to provide a barge to convey Cardinal Traglia from Marfa to Gozo and back. The celebration was eventually held after Malta became independent and it was the KOMR▪King’s Own Malta Regiment that provided the military contingent. The file contains a total of thirty-five items related to the celebration.

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24 02 MAY 1964 – 09 MAY 1965 PROGRAMME OF FIRST CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS NAM, OPM, 784/1864 The celebrations to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the Foundation of the Diocese were held between Sunday, 2 May and Sunday, 9 May 1965. On SUNDAY, there was the official opening of the Karmni Grima Museum close to Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary. On MONDAY, the sick gathered at It-Tokk for mass and benediction. On TUESDAY, there was another mass upon It-Tokk for members of religious organizations. On WEDNESDAY, Gozo accorded a rousing welcome at It-Tokk to Luigi Cardinal Traglia, the Papal Legate for the centenary celebrations. On THURSDAY morning, the Papal Legate toured a number of villages and in the evening said mass at It-Tokk for school children. On FRIDAY, the Papal Legate toured other villages and, in the evening, he delivered a talk to the clergy at the Basilica of Saint George. On SATURDAY, the Papal Legate continued with his tour of Gozo. In the evening, Archbishop Michael Gonzi led a Pontifical Mass upon It-Tokk. On SUNDAY morning, Cardinal Luigi Traglia, said a Pontifical Mass at the Cathedral. It was attended by, among others, Sir Maurice Dorman, Governor-General, and Dr Giorgio Borg-Olivier, Prime Minister. In the evening, Fr Accurcio Xerri ofm delivered a talk on the establishment of the diocese during a ceremony at It-Tokk. The Papal Legate solemnly consecrated the island of Gozo to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and, at the end, intoned the Te Deum.

50 YEARS AGO MALTA AND GOZO GAIN INDEPENDENCE

Malta became independent at midnight of 21 September 1964. The official Souvenir Programme of the Malta Independence Celebrations and the Independence Celebrations Detailed Programme both published by the Department of Information do not include the programme of the celebrations in Gozo. The former just carries a photo of the Banca Giuratale and another of L-Imġarr

FROM THE DEPOSITS AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ● 25 harbour, the latter nothing. It seems that, initially, the Government did not contemplate any celebration in Gozo. When a number of Gozitans protested, Henry Fiteni, the Commissioner for Gozo, was hastily directed to prepare a short programme.

25 21 SEP 1964 INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS IN GOZO NAM, OPM The Gozo celebrations on the occasion of the granting of Independence were eventually held between Wednesday, 23 September, and Sunday, 27 September. The religious ceremonies were presided over by Mgr Pawlu Cauchi, Archdeacon of the Cathedral Chapter, who stood in for the Bishop of Gozo who was indisposed. For the first time, the Gozo Citadel was floodlit. The celebrations opened on WEDNESDAY with a thanksgiving mass at the National Sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu. An orchestra entertained patients in all the Victoria Hospital Wards. The Victory Band played at ix-Xagħra in the evening. On THURSDAY, wreaths were laid at the War Memorial at It-Tokk. A pilgrimage wended its way from Pjazza Savina to Ta’ Pinu and up the hill of Ta’ Għammar, then at the centre of a newborn devotion, to seek God’s protection for independent Malta. The Precursor Band played at ix-Xewkija in the evening. On FRIDAY, there were the semi-finals and finals of the Sports Festival held at the Silver Jubilee Sports Ground. In the evening, the Precursor Band played marches along the main street of Victoria and La Stella Band entertained people upon It-Tokk. On SATURDAY, a commemorative tree laying ceremony was held on the main street leading into the village of ix-Xagħra. Early in the afternoon, the final of the first Independence Cup was played at the Silver Jubilee between Victoria Hotspurs FC and Għajnsielem FC, won 4-2 by the former. The Path to Sovereignty was the subject of a paper by Prof. J.J. Cremona read at the Public Library. In the evening, the Victory Band played marches along the main street of Victoria and Il Leone Band entertained people upon It-Tokk. There was a fireworks display upon Pjazza Santu Wistin. The climax of the celebrations was reached on SUNDAY. A solemn High Mass at the Cathedral was concluded by the hymn of

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thanksgiving, the Te Deum. The Mass was attended by, amongst others, Sir Maurice Dorman, the Governor-General of Independent Malta, and Lady Dorman; and Dr Giorgio Borg-Olivier, Prime Minister, and Ms Borg-Olivier. Both were given a guard-of-honour on their arrival upon the Cathedral Square. After Mass, the guests moved to Il-Mall where the Prime Minister unveiled a bust of Gozo historian and patriot GioPietro Francesco Agius de Soldanis. Traditional horse races were held along triq it-Tiġrija early in the afternoon. The Governor-General presented the cups to the winners. In the evening, Il Leone and La Stella bands marched in succession along triq it-Tiġrija and then played alternatively a number of operatic pieces upon two plinths at It-Tokk.

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ILLUSTRATIONS

25 YEARS AGO OPENING OF THE NAG▪ NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO

01 24 NOV 1989 OPENING OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES GOZO NAG, PA, 01/2231 The official inauguration of the National Archives Gozo. The Honourable Anton Tabone, Minister for Gozo, cuts the ribbon; with the Honourable Dr Ugo Mifsud-Bonnici, Minister of Education, looking on (photo: NAG).

UNVEILING OF THE COMMEMORATIVE INSCRIPTION NAG, PA, 01/2232 The unveiling of the commemorative inscription after the official inauguration of the National Archives Gozo, by the Honourables Anton Tabone, Minister for Gozo, and Dr Ugo Mifsud-Bonnici, Minister of Education (photo: NAG).

GUESTS NAG, PA, 01/2233 The guests at the official inauguration of the National Archives Gozo included (front row, left to right): H.L. Monsignor Nikol Ġ. Cauchi, Bishop of Gozo; the Honourable Dr Ugo Mifsud-Bonnici, Minister of Education; the Honourable Anton Tabone, Minister for Gozo; Paul M. Cassar, Librarian, Public Library Gozo; Ms Cassar; Revd Dr Joseph Bezzina, Acting-Keeper, National Archives Gozo; (second row, Saviour Grech; Dr Salvinu Galea; Paul Mizzi; Ġużè Cassar- Pullicino (behind him, to the left); Professor Ġużè Aquilina; Ms Aquilina; and George Xerri (photo: NAG).

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400 YEARS AGO ARRIVAL OF STATUE OF SAINT URSULA IN GOZO

02 21 NOV 1614 ST URSULA WITH THE PRICELESS NECKLACE NAG, PA, 01/2234 Saint Ursula – a gilded wooden statue with a relic of her arm- bone preserved at the Cathedral. It was acquired by Eugenio- Romirez Maldonado from his native Salamanca at the beginning of the seventeenth century. He donated it to the Matrice, the present Cathedral Church, in 1614, soon after the end of his term as Governor of Gozo. The priceless necklace was donated to the saint sometime before 1620 (courtesy: Cathedral Chapter/photo: Daniel Cilia).

03 11 JAN 1693 VOTIVE PROCESSION IN THANKSGIVING TO ST URSULA NAG, PA, 01/2235 A votive procession in thanksgiving to Saint Ursula – lower section of an oval ex-voto at the Capuchin’s Convent, Victoria. On Sunday, 11 January 1693, Malta and Gozo suffered one of the worst earthquakes in recorded history. The people of Gozo attributed their deliverance from tragedy to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Graces and Saint Ursula. A procession with the statue of the saint began to be held every second Sunday of January to the chapel of the Virgin of Graces, then belonging to the Matrice and now run by the Capuchin Fathers. The Governor of Gozo and four gurati of the Università, pictured, took part in the procession (courtesy: The Provincial, Capuchin Friars/photo: Paul Falzon).

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04 1719 THE MARTYRDOM OF ST URSULA NAG, PA, 01/2236 GIOVANNI-NICOLA BUHAGIAR (1698-1752), The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula by the Huns at Cologne (1719) – the old altarpiece of the altar of Saint Ursula at the Gozo Cathedral, now at the Cathedral Museum (courtesy: Cathedral Museum/photo: Paul Falzon).

05 C1733 ST URSULA AT THE UNIVERSITÀ NAG, PA, 01/2237 Saint Ursula, Patron of Gozo (c.1661) – a painting that from around 1733 was in the Council Chamber of the Gozo Università at the Banca Giuratale. It was also in the Chamber between 1961 and 1973, when the same place was used for the meetings of the Gozo Civic Council (courtesy: Ministry for Gozo/photo: Paul Falzon).

06 1847 ABBOZZO OF ST URSULA ALTARPIECE NAG, PA, 01/2238 GIUSEPPE HYZLER (1793-1858), St Ursula, Patron of Gozo (1830-31) – abbozzo or sketch for the altarpiece of Saint Ursula at the Gozo Cathedral (courtesy: Private Collection/photo: Paul Falzon).

07 1848 ST URSULA ALTARPIECE NAG, PA, 01/2239 GIUSEPPE HYZLER (1793-1858), St Ursula, Patron of Gozo (1831) – altarpiece of the chapel of Saint Ursula at the Gozo Cathedral. The Citadel is depicted in the background (courtesy: Cathedral Chapter/ photo: Daniel Cilia).

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08 1993 THE DONATION OF ST URSULA TO THE MATRICE NAG, PA, 01/2240 PAWLU CAMILLERI-CAUCHI (2 Dec 1940-), The Donation of the Statue of St Ursula (1993) – dome of the Chapel of St Ursula at the Gozo Cathedral (courtesy: Cathedral Chapter/photo: Daniel Cilia).

09 2014 ST URSULA VICTORIOUS NAG, PA, 01/2241 ANĠLU AGIUS (3 Mar 1951-), St Ursula Victorious – Sant’Orsla Rebbieħa (2014) – statue sculpted in stone in a niche on the façade of the Governor’s Rest-House on the outskirts of Victoria commissioned by EcoGozo/Ministry for Gozo. It was raised into position on 13 October 2014. The Rest-House is the headquarters of Wirt Għawdex – Gozo Heritage Society (photo: Paul Falzon).

200 YEARS AGO PLAGUE EPIDEMIC AT XAGĦRA

10 1814 BURIAL OF A VICTIM OF AN EPIDEMIC NAG, PA, 01/2242+2243 ANTONIO PORTELLI (01 Nov 1810–21 Jan 1877), A victim of an epidemic carried for burial by two beccamorti or grave-diggers; a watercolour by Notary Antonio Portelli on his volume of deeds for the year 1850. See Paul Pisani, Gozitan Notaries, in The Sunday Times (27 Apr 2003) 40-41 (courtesy: Notarial Archives Gozo/photo: Paul Falzon).

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St Ursula at the Università (see Illustration 5).

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The burial of a plague epidemic victim (see Illustration 10). The Plague Cemetery at ix-Xagħra (see Illustration 11).

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11 1814 PLAGUE CEMETERY AT XAGĦRA NAG, PA, 01/2244 The Plague cemetery at Għajn Lukin on the outskirts of the village of Xagħra. It was situated just below Tal-Fewdu farm, hastily converted by the British authorities into an emergency plague hospital. Victims could be thus buried without any loss of time after passing away (photo: Paul Falzon).

150 YEARS AGO FOUNDATION OF THE DIOCESE OF GOZO

12 16 SEP 1864 SINGULARI AMORE ACG, Misc (1864) (original) ▪ NAG, PA, 01/2245 POPE PIUS IX, Bull Singulari Amore (16 Sep 1864) – erecting Gozo and Comino into a separate Diocese directly subjected to the Holy See and establishing the Matrice of Santa Marija as the Cathedral of the new diocese. The initial words of the Bull – Singulari Amore ▪ With Remarkable Love – declare the papal love for the Gozitans and might have been suggested by the Pope himself (courtesy: Cathedral Museum/photo: Paul Falzon).

13 1863 BISHOP MICHELE-FRANCESCO BUTTIGIEG NAG, PA, 01/2246 In the Secret Consistory of 16 March 1863, Pope Pius IX appointed Michele-Francesco Buttigieg as Titular Bishop of Lete in partibus and Auxiliary Bishop of Malta with instructions to reside on the island of Gozo. Soon afterwards, he travelled to Rome where he was consecrated bishop on 3 May 1863 by Niccola Cardinal Clarelli- Paracciani. This only known photo of Buttigieg was taken in Rome on that occasion (artwork: Paul Falzon).

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POPE PIUS IX, Bull Singulari Amore (see Illustration 12). The solemn entry of Bishop Buttigieg (see Illustration 15).

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14 1864 RESIDENCE AND CHANCERY OF FIRST GOZO BISHOP NAG, PA, 01/2247 The private residence of Archpriest Michele-Francesco Buttigieg, elected first bishop of Gozo on 22 September 1864, served as the residence as well as the chancery of the first three bishops of Gozo. It was situated in Strada Pietà, now triq Mons. Ġużeppi Farrugia, next to St George Parish Church, in the heart of Victoria (photo: Paul Falzon).

15 1984 SOLEMN ENTRY OF THE FIRST BISHOP OF GOZO NAG, PA, 01/2248 PAWLU CAMILLERI-CAUCHI (2 Dec 1940-), The Solemn Entry of the First Bishop of Gozo (1984) – at that time there was no square in front of the Cathedral but only a narrow street along the steps (courtesy: private collection/photo: Paul Falzon).

16 2014 THE CATHEDRAL NAG, PA, 01/2249 The baroque Cathedral was built on a plan by Lorenzo Cafà (1638- 1704). Its foundation stone was laid on 1 September 1697. It was blessed on 14 August 1711, dedicated on 11 October 1716, and established Cathedral of the new diocese of Gozo through the Bull Singulari Amore of 16 September 1864. The façade was restored between 2012 and 2014 (photo: Joseph Bezzina).

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100 YEARS AGO DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP PIETRO PACE

17 08 APR 1877 ARCHBISHOP PIETRO PACE NAG, PA, 01/2250 Pietro Pace (9 Oct 1831–29 Jul 1914) was appointed third bishop of Gozo on 12 March 1877 and consecrated at Rome on 8 April 1877. This photo was probably taken in Rome on this occasion. He made the solemn entry into the Cathedral on 2 July 1877 and was transferred to the archbishopric of Malta on 11 February 1889 (courtesy: Toni Calleja/artwork: Paul Falzon).

18 31 JUL 1914 FUNERAL OF ARCHBISHOP PIETRO PACE NAG, PA, 01/2251 Archbishop Pietro Pace died in Victoria-Gozo on 29 July 1914 and his funeral was held at the Gozo Cathedral on 31 July. The funeral procession, led by Bishop Giovanni-Maria Camilleri of Gozo, is pictured at the entrance to the Citadel (courtesy: NAG/photo: Michele Farrugia).

19 31 JUL 1914 FUNERAL OF ARCHBISHOP PIETRO PACE NAG, PA, 01/2252 The funeral procession of Archbishop Pietro Pace at the entrance to the Citadel; the corpse is accompanied by six monsignors of the Cathedral Chapter of Malta (courtesy: NAG/photo: Michele Farrugia).

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20 31 JUL 1914 MONUMENT OF ARCHBISHOP PIETRO PACE NAG, PA, 01/2253 The monument of archbishop Pietro Pace at the Cathedral – cast in bronze on a model by Antonio Sciortino and inaugurated on 29 July 1940 (courtesy: Cathedral Chapter/photo: Paul Falzon).

50 YEARS AGO FIRST CENTENARY OF THE DIOCESE OF GOZO

21 05 MAY 1965 A ROUSING WELCOME TO LUIGI CARDINAL TRAGLIA NAG, PA, 01/774+2254 Gozo accorded a rousing welcome at It-Tokk to Luigi Cardinal Traglia, the Papal Legate for the centenary celebrations. The Cardinal, flanked by Archdeacon Pawlu Cauchi and Archpriest Mikiel Cefai, is listening to the address of welcome delivered by Sir Arturo Mercieca (1878-1969) (courtesy: NAG/photo: Joe Vella).

22 09 MAY 1965 PRESENTATION OF A GOLD MEDAL TO THE DIOCESE NAG, PA, 01/2255 Luigi Cardinal Traglia on behalf of Pope Paul VI presenting a gold medal to bishop of Gozo at the end of the Pontifical Mass at the Cathedral. The medal is on display at the Cathedral Museum (courtesy: NAG/artwork: Paul Falzon).

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50 YEARS AGO MALTA AND GOZO GAIN INDEPENDENCE

23 27 SEP 1964 INDEPENDENCE PONTIFICAL MASS NAG, PA, 01/2256 Sir Maurice Dorman, Governor-General, and Lady Dorman; and Dr Giorgio Borg-Olivier, Prime Minister, and Ms Borg-Olivier arriving at the Gozo Cathedral for the High Mass on the occasion of the Independence celebrations (courtesy: Il-Ħajja/artwork: Paul Falzon).

24 27 SEP 1964 UNVEILING OF MONUMENT TO DE SOLDANIS NAG, PA, 01/2257 Dr Giorgio Borg-Olivier, Prime Minister, unveiling a bust of Gozo patriot and historian GioPietro Francesco Agius de Soldanis (1712- 1770) at Il-Mall (courtesy: John Cremona/photo: Joe Vella).

BLESSING OF MONUMENT TO DE SOLDANIS NAG, PA, 01/2258 Monsignor Pawlu Cauchi, Archdeacon, blessing the bust of de Soldanis (1712-1770) (courtesy: Il-Ħajja/photo: Joe Vella).

THE GUESTS AT THE UNVEILING NAG, PA, 01/2259 The guests listening to a commemorative speech by Ninu Cremona (1880-1972) (courtesy: Times of Malta/artwork: Paul Falzon).

25 27 SEP 1964 THE CITADEL FLOODLIT FOR INDEPENDENCE NAG, PA, 01/2260+2261 Iċ-Ċittadella was floodlit for the first time on the occasion of the Independence celebrations (courtesy: Il-Ħajja/artwork: Paul Falzon).

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Commemorative Card No. 8.

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