Migratio: Mdina – Valletta

The Strada Stretta Concept, in collabration with Valletta 2018 Foundation and the Department of History of Art, University of Malta, present 'Migratio'. Migratio, is a site-specific project by Ilaria Cuccagna, under the artistic direction of Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci. The launch of the installation will be held near Splendid, Strada Stretta. Free Entrance. “When the Order of Saint John arrived in Malta on the 26th October 1530, Grandmaster Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam promised to uphold the rights of the Maltese people, and was given the keys of Mdina, the ancient capital. The nobility of Mdina, which mainly lived in the silent city and possessed royal fiefs, were rather hostile to the Order. The story goes that the nobles resented the knights and met them at the gates of Mdina accompanied by a gang of men at arms. At the beginning the Order preferred to settle in Birgu, instead of Mdina, but in 1565 they set out to build the new fortified city of Valletta, so Mdina finally lost its status as the capital city.” Quoting Ilaria Cuccagna: 'I had been walking inside Mdina for the first time, when Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci told me the history of the silent city. I observed the building's wall, the guardian of all these stories. Dr Schembri Bonaci thought it would be very interesting to create a symbolic connection between Mdina and Valletta, in the light of the tensions that had in the past existed between these two capitals. Therefore, attracted by the textures of the wall, it was decided to realize the silicone rubber mould of the external wall of the Church of St Peter in Chains in Mdina, to then install it in part by the walls of Strait Street, in Valletta. The idea to “take off” part of the Mdina wall to install it in Valletta would be an invitation to reflect on the historical and cultural conscience of these sites.'