Lecture Series Unveils Art, Memory, Identity at St. John’s Co-Cathedral

Imagine standing in the heart of Valletta, the sun casting a warm glow on the grandeur of St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Now, picture yourself not just admiring the art, but delving into its very soul, exploring the intricate connection between art, memory, and identity. This is exactly what the new lecture series, ‘Art, Memory, Identity’, promises to deliver.

St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a 16th-century gem nestled in the heart of Valletta, is more than just a place of worship. It’s a living museum, a testament to Malta’s rich history and cultural heritage. The cathedral’s ornate interior, adorned with masterpieces by Caravaggio and other renowned artists, is about to become a stage for intellectual exploration.

Starting this October, the cathedral will host a series of lectures that aim to shed light on the intersection of art, memory, and identity. The series, organised by the St. John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation in collaboration with the University of Malta, invites scholars, artists, and historians to share their insights into how art shapes and reflects our collective memory and identity.

The series will kick off with a lecture by Dr. Kenneth Cassar, a renowned art historian, who will explore the role of art in shaping Malta’s collective memory. Subsequent lectures will look various aspects of this complex interplay. From the impact of migration on artistic expression to the role of art in preserving cultural heritage, each lecture promises to offer a unique perspective.

One of the highlights of the series is a lecture by Dr. Anne Hellum, a Norwegian art historian who will discuss the role of art in the construction of national identity. Her lecture, titled ‘Art and the Making of Nations’, promises to provide a fascinating international perspective on this topic.

But the series is not just about academic exploration. It’s also about fostering a sense of community and dialogue. Each lecture will be followed by a Q&A session, offering the audience a chance to engage with the speakers and share their own thoughts and insights.

The ‘Art, Memory, Identity’ lecture series is not just an intellectual exercise. It’s a call to action, an invitation to engage with our cultural heritage in a meaningful way. It’s a reminder that art is not just something to be admired from afar, but something to be experienced, explored, and understood.

So, mark your calendars, Valletta residents and visitors alike. This October, St. John’s Co-Cathedral is set to become a hub of intellectual discourse and cultural exploration. And who knows? You might just leave each lecture with a new perspective on the art that surrounds you, and a deeper understanding of the island’s rich mix identity and memory.