Maltese Religious Quotes Find New Life in Valletta Exhibition
In the heart of Valletta, the capital city of Malta, the sun beat down on St. George’s Square as the clock tower struck midday. The usual hum of tourists and locals was replaced by a hushed anticipation. Today, June 21, 2026, was different. It was the day the long-awaited, controversial religious quotes exhibition was set to open at the newly restored Auberge de Provence.
From Church Walls to Art Gallery
The exhibition, titled “Inscriptions of Faith: A Journey Through Maltese Religious Quotes”, was the brainchild of local artist and historian, Mario Portelli. It aimed to preserve and showcase religious quotes etched onto the walls of Malta’s historic churches and streets, many of which were fading or being lost to time and development. The project had sparked heated debates, with some religious leaders welcoming the preservation effort, while others expressed concerns about the removal of the quotes from their original contexts.
The opening day saw a mix of curiosity, reverence, and tension. Among the crowd was Father Joseph Azzopardi, a respected priest from the nearby Church of Our Lady of Victories. He told Hot Malta, “I’m here to see how our words of faith have been interpreted. I hope it’s done with respect and understanding.”
Quotes That Speak to the Soul
The exhibition was a testament to Mario’s dedication. He had painstakingly documented, photographed, and in some cases, physically removed (with permission and under strict conservation guidelines) quotes from churches in Mdina, Rabat, and even the remote island of Gozo. The quotes, in Maltese, Italian, and English, were displayed on large, backlit panels, their original walls recreated behind them.
One quote, from the Church of the Annunciation in Rabat, read, “Tghidlek il-Mulej, u jekk tghidli, jekk tghidli, jekk tghidli” – “Seek the Lord, and if you seek Him, you will find Him, if you seek Him.” It was a poignant reminder of the island’s deep religious roots.
: The Digital Archive
But Mario wasn’t stopping at the exhibition. He was also launching a digital archive, “Faith in Stone”, to preserve and share these quotes with the world. “We’re losing these pieces of our history,” he said, “and I want to make sure they’re not forgotten.” The archive, accessible via the website faithinstone.mt, will allow users to explore the quotes, their history, and their locations.
As the exhibition opened, Mario stood before the crowd, his eyes reflecting the sunlight streaming through the Auberge’s grand windows. “Today,” he said, “we celebrate our history, our faith, and our unique Maltese identity. We preserve, we share, and we ensure these words of faith continue to inspire us all.”
