VISIT TO MALTA BY THE ASSOCIAZIONE NAZIONALE INSIGNITI ONORIFICENZE CAVALLERESCHE (A.N.I.O.C.) 17th – 18th June 2013

On the occasion of the annual general meeting of the Associazione Nazionale Insigniti Onorificenze Cavalleresche (A.N.I.O.C.), a delegation composed of about one hundred awardees visited Malta on 17th and 18th June 2013. 

The delegation – led by the President of A.N.I.O.C., Sen. Carlo Giovanardi and accompanied by the Ambassador of Italy to Malta, Giovanni Umberto De Vito – was welcomed by the Hon. Speaker, Dr. Anglu Farrugia, at a cordial meeting which took place at the prestigious “Paladini Room” at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta. Apart from visiting the St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the delegation also had the opportunity of witnessing the restoration in progress of a work by Mattia Preti, currently on display at the Italian Cultural Institute, with the assistance of the Director, dottor Schirmo.

At the end of the visit to Valletta, the delegation was hosted by the Ambassador of Italy at his Residence in ta’ Xbiex for a reception, during which the title of Ufficiale dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (O.M.R.I.) was given to Sante Guido and Giuseppe Mantella, on behalf of President Giorgio Napolitano. An award they earned for the restoration of various works belonging to Malta’s artistic and cultural heritage and for the numerous collaborations between Malta and Italy made possible thanks to their effort over the past two decades. At the reception some representatives of Maltese culture, as well as other Maltese personalities awarded by the Italian Republic, were present.

Photo 1   Photo 2   Photo 3   Photo 4   Photo 5   Photo 6   Photo 7