Socio-political influences in the aesthetic expressions during the 24th International Eucharistic Congress held in Malta in 1913

Abstract

The narration of historical events is often confined within the interests of the writer. Many histories of special events, such as that which marked the 24th International Eucharistic Congress in Malta, have been written, detailing a chronology of facts. Very little published material is however available on the physical expressions which accompanied such milestones. This congress was held in Malta at a time when, following just over a century of British rule, the Maltese cultural identity, although still strongly rooted in its connections with Rome, Spain and the realms of the Grandmasters, started to absorb and express the polarly different characteristics of its Anglo-Saxon colonisers. The approach to the narrative in this essay brings together the evolution of aesthetic expression with that of socio-political change. A number of images of the period have survived and contain a wealth of information on the ephemeral architecture designed and erected for the different events happening around Malta. Holy Images and medals were designed and produced to commemorate the occasion as well as postcards and other paraphernalia aimed at the tourist influx which Malta was expecting for the event. All this material and the artists behind its production are analysed artistically and compared to contemporary artistic expressions in Malta’s zones of influence. The way in which such aesthetic choices could be a reflection of the socio-political currents of the time is thus discussed.