Celebratio Amicitiae

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.

‍

CONTENTS

‍

PART I – HISTORY

The Historical Background to the Cult of St Philip of Agira in Malta

Mario Buhagiar

Esgart des Freres - a Medieval Survival in Early Modern Malta?

Ann Williams

The 1581 Catastrophe, or The Story of Two Poor Families' Affliction

Simon Mercieca

L-Imnarja - Malta's national folk festival

Dominic Cutajar

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

Thomas Freller

The National Library of Malta’s Manuscript Collection

Maroma Camilleri

'Nizza' - A Method used for SealingLetters

Alfred Bonnici

'Divertimento e Sollievo del Popolo': The Coccagna as a Manifestation of Benevolent Despotism in Ancien Régime Malta

William Zammit

Books and Libraries in 18th century Malta

Carmen Depasquale

Spectacle and 'Civil liturgies' in Malta during the Time of the Knights of St John

Vicki Ann Cremona

Circus Aesthetics

Peter Serracino Inglott

The Order of St John and Britain (1792-1795)

Roger Vella Bonavita

The Maltese Brig

Joseph Muscat

The Inquisitor in Parliament - An insight into British Colonial Policy

Kenneth Gambin

Tarthuth (Fungus melitensis), for a time, Malta's quasi singular contribution to Materia Medica

Roger Ellul Micallef

PART II – ART AND ARCHITECTURE

The 1565 Great Siege Frescos in The Palace, Valletta

Theresa Vella

Bad Habit: Scipione Borghese, Wignacourt, and the Problem of Cigoli's Knighthood

David Stone

Liturgical vestments of the Order of St John in Malta - Heraldry and Patronage

Evelyn Baluci

The Passalacqua Chain: A Splendid 17th Century Jewel in Malta

Francesca Balzan

Coins and Medals of Malta and of the Order of St. John in International Auction Sales

Joseph C Sammut

Religious Symbolism and Floral Motifs during the time of the Knights of Malta - The Vestments of the Cotoner Grand Masters

Cynthia de Giorgio

Further Discoveries and Recoveries for Mattia Preti in Malta

John Spike

Hospitaller Military Architecture - The Transfer of Technology

Stephen C Spiteri

Trials and Tribulations of a BaroquePrince - Grand Master Jean Paul Lascaris de Castellar

Moira Pisani

Costume and Lace in an Historical Maltese setting

Nicholas de Piro

The Portfolio of Nazarene Drawings in the Wignacourt Collegiate Museum

Bernadine Scicluna

From Engraving to Lithography -Zimelli, Farrugia, Bellanti

Albert Ganado

Art Nouveau Architecture in Malta

Conrad Thake

Photography and the Art of Antonio Sciortino

Dennis Vella

Vincenzo Bonello's Drawings and Plans for Maltese Churches at the Wignacourt Collegiate Museum, Rabat, Malta

John Azzopardi

PART III – LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The First Maltese Publicist

David J Attard

Page Thirteen in Perspective

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Will the European Union be judged in Strasbourg?

Simona Granata-Menghini

The Dissenting Opinions of Judge Giovanni Bonello at the European Court of Human Rights

Tonio Borg

‍

‍