Restoration of Mattia Preti’s Santa Rosalia

On Friday 2nd December, Rotary District 2110, Sicily and Malta, Governor Nunzio Scibilia, accompanied by his assistant Ian Decesare, incoming Governor John Degiorgio, District Secretary Alfredo Nocera and Rotary La Vallette Club President David Dingli, visited the church of Sarria, Floriana, to view the restored painting depicting Santa Rosalia by Mattia Preti.
Saint Rosalia, Patron Saint of Palermo, is believed to have delivered the city from the Plague in the late 17th century. The Rotary Clubs of Palermo were glad to join the Malta clubs, in sponsoring the restoration of this painting which forms part of the common heritage of our two islands. Restoration was expertly carried out by Giuseppe Mantella Restauri. Patricia Salomone, who was instrumental in co-ordinating this sponsorship and restoration, welcomed the guests who included many rotarians from Sicily and Malta, as well as Philip Mercieca, Secretary General Din l-Art Helwa.
Din l-Art Helwa Executive President Maria Grazia Cassar presented Governor Scibilia with a set of Kenneth Zammit Tabona prints of Din l-Art Helwa Sites as a token of gratitude. Fr. Lino Spiteri, rector of the Jesuit community at Sarria, made available the recreation room where a light refreshment was offered to all present.