Inauguration of a painting commemorating Professor Oliver Friggieri

A painting featuring a portrait of Professor Oliver Friggieri was inaugurated in the Library’s Melitensia Special Collection, on Friday, 21 November 2025, on the fifth anniversary of his passing.

The painting is the work of artist Darren Tanti and was commissioned by the Għaqda tal-Malti – Università together with the University’s Department of Maltese and the Akkademja tal-Malti.

Mr Darren Tanti is known as an artist who often explores contemporary, philosophical and spiritual themes. Although he comes from a pictorial and Hyperrealist background, over time Tanti has extended his practice to varied materials and visual languages, including the exploration of academic art techniques together with more contemporary and experimental ones.

In a comment he made about his painting, he stated that “something that always struck me about Professor Friggieri was the look in his eyes when he would lose himself in the content of his lecture - a gaze that penetrates and goes beyond the individual receiving it. That strong intensity in his eyes gave only a small hint of his depth and great knowledge, yet it was enough to keep us glued to our desks and open our ears.”

During the inauguration ceremony, an address was delivered by Mr Kevin J. Ellul, Director Library Services, followed by a speech from Ms Beverly Agius – “Il-Professur Oliver Friggieri – Kwintessenza tal-Umanita(jiet)” with musical sequences by Ms Doriana Falzon Domenici.

Mr Darren Tanti and Ms Sara Brincat Friggieri, the daughter of late Prof. Friggieri, also shared their thoughts about the painting and poems crafted by Oliver Friggieri were read by Ms Rita Saliba and Ms Elena Vella.