Event organized on the occasion of Italy’s Art of Falconry being inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Inauguration of the photographic exhibition FALC-ON-ARIA on the Art of Falconry and Yachting and launch of the book Aria, Uomini, Falchi by photographer and author Serena Galvani
Introduction by Prof. Joan Abela (University of Malta). A talk will follow. Key speakers include RAI SPORT1 journalist Giulio Guazzini, journalist and maltese ornithologist Natalino Fenech, Spanish maestro falconer Juan Bernabè and Italian falconer Gianluca Barone. The talk will be in Italian and English. Refreshments will be served.
On 1 December 2016, Italy together with 17 other countries recognized the Art of Falconry as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In Malta, Falconry was a diffused practise during the reign of the Knights of the Order of St John. Charles V, Ruler of the Spanish Empire and Sicily gave in concession the island of Malta to the Knights, asking in return the annual donation of a peregrine falcon.
“… guarderete il cielo perché là siete stati e là vorrete tornare.” In a brief phrase Leonardo da Vinci captures the secret desire of human beings, that is to fly. Physically Man is not able to fly, however he is happy with metaphors which he can translate into reality and thus created the sail, a wing which allows him to fly on waves.
These two ideas inspired Serena Galvani, photographer and photoreporter A.I.R.F to capture and link the arts of falconry and sailing in her exhibition and book ARIA, UOMINI, FALCHI.
Serena Galvani hails from Bologna and graduated in Modern Languages. She is a historian and the owner of ARIA – one of the most prestigious historical vessels of the Mediterranean. With her Association A.R.I.E (Associazione per il Recupero delle Imbarcazioni d’Epoca) she safeguards Italian nautical heritage. Apart from being a yachtwoman, a photoreporter and a photographer, Galvani also writes books and travels around the world, focusing her attention on capturing the art of Falconry.
The exhibition FALC-ON-ARIA is open to public until Friday 17 March 2017 during the opening hours of the Institute.
FREE ADMISSION.