Celebratio Amicitiae

Celebratio Amicitiae – Essays in Honour of Giovanni Bonello






 

 

This collection of 34 essays brings together contributions from various Maltese and foreign scholars who have written about topics which Judge Bonello holds most dear - History, Art and Architecture, Law and Human Rights. This exceptional work honours this prolific man's contribution to Malta's vast cultural heritage, as well as his incisive contributions to law and human rights. 

The various essays in this uniquely revelatory publication include topics ranging from medieval to contemporary history. They also cover some aspects of Maltese life with roots that go back centuries, such as the celebration of Imnarja and the Coccagna . In other essays, the developments of Maltese military, palatial and residential architecture are demonstrated. New information is also presented on areas of research that are now becoming the realm of the specialist, such as costume, jewellery, photography, manuscripts, numismatics and postal history to mention but a few.

PART I – HISTORY

Author Title Page
Mario Buhagiar The Historical Background to the Cult of St Philip of Agira in Malta
3
Ann Williams Esgart des Freres: a Medieval Survival in Early Modern Malta?
7
Simon Mercieca The 1581 Catastrophe, or The Story of Two Poor Families' Affliction
13
Dominic Cutajar L-Imnarja: Malta's national folk festival
23
Thomas Freller Knight of Malta, Diplomat, Protector of the Arts and Sciences – Black Sheep of the Family. The Thrilling Life of Louis Alexandre Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau
33
Maroma Camilleri The National Library of Malta's Manuscript Collection
45
Alfred Bonnici ‘Nizza' : A Method used for Sealing Letters
61
William Zammit Divertimento e Sollievo del Popolo ': The Coccagna as a Manifestation of Benevolent Despotism in Ancien Régime Malta
69
Carmen Depasquale Books and Libraries in 18th century Malta
87
Vicki Ann Cremona Spectacle and ‘Civil liturgies' in Malta during the Time of the Knights of St John
103
Peter Serracino Inglott Circus Aesthetics
119
Roger Vella Bonavita The Order of St John and Britain, 1792-1795
129
Joseph Muscat The Maltese Brig
147
Kenneth Gambin The Inquisitor in Parliament: An insight into British Colonial Policy
159
Roger Ellul Micallef Tarthuth ( Fungus melitensis ), for a time, Malta's quasi singular contribution to Materia Medica
167

PART II – ART AND ARCHITECTURE

Theresa Vella The 1565 Great Siege Frescos in The Palace, Valletta
193
David Stone Bad Habit: Scipione Borghese, Wignacourt, and the Problem of Cigoli's Knighthood
207
Evelyn Baluci Liturgical vestments of the Order of St John in Malta: Heraldry and Patronage
231
Francesca Balzan The Passalacqua Chain: A splendid s 17 th century Jewel in Malta
237
Joseph C. Sammut Coins and Medals of Malta and of the Order of St John in International Auction Sales
243
Cynthia de Giorgio Religious Symbolism and Floral Motifs during the time of the Knights of Malta: The Vestments of the Cotoner Grand Masters
255
John Spike Further Discoveries and Recoveries for Mattia Preti in Malta
261
Stephen C. Spiteri Hospitaller Military Architecture: The Transfer of Technology
267
Moira Pisani Trials and Tribulations of a Baroque Prince - Grand Master Jean Paul Lascaris de Castellar
279
Nicholas de Piro Costume and Lace in an Historical Maltese setting
291
Bernadine Scicluna The Portfolio of Nazarene Drawings in the Wignacourt Collegiate Museum
297
Albert Ganado From Engraving to Lithography - Zimelli, Farrugia, Bellanti
305
Conrad Thake Art Nouveau Architecture in Malta
327
Dennis Vella Photography and the Art of Antonio Sciortino
335
John Azzopardi Vincenzo Bonello's Drawings and Plans for Maltese Churches at the Wignacourt Collegiate Museum, Rabat, Malta
347

PART III – LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS

David J. Attard The First Maltese Publicist
357
Daphne Caruana Galizia Page Thirteen in Perspective
373
Simona Granata-Menghini Will the European Union be judged in Strasbourg?
383
Tonio Borg The Dissenting Opinions of Judge Giovanni Bonello at the European Court of Human Rights
393