Gozo’s La Stella Hosts Unmissable St Michael Exhibition: Malta’s Spiritual Heritage Takes Centre Stage Until Sunday

**St Michael Takes Centre Stage: Gozo’s La Stella Hosts Rare Exhibition Celebrating the Archangel’s Local Legacy**

Victoria’s historic La Stella theatre has transformed into a spiritual gallery this week as it hosts an extraordinary exhibition dedicated to St Michael the Archangel, drawing hundreds of Gozitans and visitors eager to explore the island’s deep-rooted devotion to its heavenly protector.

The exhibition, which runs until Sunday, showcases centuries of artistic and religious heritage centred around Malta’s patron saint, whose feast day on September 29th marks one of the most significant dates in the local liturgical calendar. Curated by the Gozo Culture Association in collaboration with local parish churches, the display features rare 17th-century paintings, intricate silver artefacts, and never-before-seen archival documents tracing St Michael’s veneration across the Maltese Islands.

“St Michael isn’t just a religious figure here – he’s woven into our cultural DNA,” explains Dr Maria Camilleri, the exhibition’s curator, as she guides visitors past a stunning 18th-century wooden statue usually housed in Żebbuġ’s parish church. “From Mdina’s ancient cathedral to Gozo’s rural chapels, the archangel has been Malta’s spiritual guardian for over a millennium.”

The timing proves particularly poignant as Malta emerges from the traditional summer lull into autumn’s cultural awakening. Local cafés in Victoria’s Pjazza Indipendenza buzz with discussion about the exhibition, while parish priests report increased attendance at daily Masses. The show has become an unexpected catalyst for community gathering, reuniting elderly Gozitans who haven’t met since pre-pandemic times.

Walking through La Stella’s baroque interior, visitors encounter a treasure trove of devotional objects: delicate filigree crowns worn by St Michael statues during village festas, centuries-old prayer books with margins annotated by Maltese devotees, and hauntingly beautiful oil paintings depicting the archangel’s triumph over evil. One particularly moving display features photographs from 1950s festa celebrations, showing entire villages bedecked in blue and white bunting – St Michael’s colours – while brass bands parade through narrow streets.

“This isn’t just about pretty artefacts,” notes Frans Said, 78, a retired teacher from Xagħra who volunteered as a guide. “My grandmother survived the 1943 bombings because she prayed to St Michael. These stories live in our families. This exhibition gives them a home.”

The cultural significance extends beyond religious devotion. Local artists have contributed contemporary interpretations of St Michael, bridging centuries of faith with modern Maltese identity. A striking installation by Gozitan artist Rita Pace reimagines the archangel using traditional lace-making techniques, while digital projections transform La Stella’s ceiling into a cosmic battle between good and evil.

Tourism operators report a 30% increase in weekend bookings since the exhibition opened, with many visitors combining the show with Gozo’s autumn walking festivals. “It’s brilliant timing,” says Mark Pace, who runs boutique accommodation in nearby Xlendi. “September’s perfect weather, fewer crowds, and now this cultural gem? It’s exactly what sustainable tourism looks like.”

The exhibition’s community impact reverberates through Victoria’s usually quiet autumn streets. Local restaurants have extended weekend hours, while traditional bakeries struggle to keep up with demand for the archangel-shaped pastries created specially for the occasion. Youth groups organise evening torchlight processions to La Stella, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of pre-war Malta.

As Sunday approaches, organisers prepare for the anticipated final-day rush. Bishop Mario Grech will celebrate a special Mass at St George’s Basilica before leading visitors to La Stella for the exhibition’s closing ceremony. The artefacts will then scatter back to their respective churches, returning to private devotion until next year’s planned national tour.

For now, La Stella’s doors remain open, welcoming anyone seeking connection with Malta’s spiritual heritage. In an age of rapid change, this celebration of St Michael reminds Gozitans and visitors alike that some threads in the Maltese tapestry remain unbreakable, binding past to present through faith, art, and community.