Call for Tenders – Integrated Digital Platform for Project CARE

As advertised in the Government Gazette on 10 July 2026.

The Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) notifies that the Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta (ARAM) is issuing a Call for Tenders for the following project:

Project Reference: VOPS A4.11.2026

ARAM is seeking bids for the Supply, Delivery, Development, Hosting, Maintenance, and Commissioning of an Integrated Digital Platform as part of Project CARE: Community Arthritis Resilience & Empowerment.

Prospective bidders are invited to request the tender specifications by contacting aramalta@gmail.com.

All bids must be submitted no later than 31 July 2026 at 12:00 noon, in accordance with the tender requirements.

Introducing Project CARE: Community Arthritis Resilience and Empowerment

Press Release

The Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta (ARAM) VO425 has officially launched its new project CARE – Community Arthritis Resilience & Empowerment, made possible through funding awarded by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) under the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme (VOPS).

Running from May 2026 to February 2027, the CARE project will strengthen support for individuals living with arthritis and other rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) across Malta.

Arthritis is often described as a hidden disability, where pain, fatigue, and physical limitations are not always visible, leading to misunderstanding, stigma, and social isolation. Through CARE, ARAM aims to address these challenges by promoting greater awareness, resilience, and inclusion within the community.

The project will deliver a structured programme combining education, peer support, and volunteering, equipping participants with practical tools to better manage their condition while fostering stronger social connections.

A central outcome of the initiative will be the development of a new digital ARAM Platform, designed as a hub for learning, communication, and engagement. The platform will provide access to training resources, volunteer opportunities, community interaction tools, and awareness content aimed at both members and the wider public.

CARE will also focus on expanding and strengthening ARAM’s volunteer network, including the active involvement of young people and newly diagnosed individuals. Trained volunteers will play a key role as community ambassadors, supporting outreach, awareness campaigns, and peer-led initiatives.

By combining digital innovation with community-based support, the project will enhance ARAM’s capacity to serve its members while promoting health literacy, active citizenship, and social inclusion. The initiative aligns closely with national priorities related to health, wellbeing, and volunteering.

The project will be formally introduced through a dedicated launch event, followed by a series of workshops, outreach activities, and awareness campaigns throughout the year.

Stqarrija Għall-Istampa

L-Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta (ARAM) VO425 nediet uffiċjalment il-proġett il-ġdid tagħha, CARE – Community Arthritis Resilience & Empowerment, li sar possibbli permezz ta’ finanzjament mogħti mill-Kunsill Malti għas-Settur tal-Volontarjat (MCVS) taħt il-Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme (VOPS).

Il-proġett CARE, li se jsir bejn Mejju 2026 u Frar 2027, se jsaħħaħ l-appoġġ għal individwi li jgħixu bl-artrite u b’mard rewmatiku u muskuloskeletali ieħor (RMDs) madwar Malta.

L-artrite ħafna drabi tiġi deskritta bħala diżabilità moħbija, fejn l-uġigħ, l-għeja, u l-limitazzjonijiet fiżiċi mhux dejjem ikunu viżibbli. Dan jista’ jwassal għal nuqqas ta’ fehim, stigma, u iżolament soċjali. Permezz ta’ CARE, ARAM għandha l-għan li tindirizza dawn l-isfidi billi tippromwovi aktar għarfien, reżiljenza, u inklużjoni fi ħdan il-komunità.

Il-proġett se jwassal programm strutturat li jgħaqqad flimkien l-edukazzjoni, l-appoġġ bejn persuni b’esperjenzi simili, u l-volontarjat. Dan se jarma lill-parteċipanti b’għodod prattiċi biex ikunu jistgħu jimmaniġġjaw aħjar il-kundizzjoni tagħhom, filwaqt li jsaħħaħ il-konnessjonijiet soċjali.

Riżultat ewlieni ta’ din l-inizjattiva se jkun l-iżvilupp ta’ Pjattaforma Diġitali ġdida ta’ ARAM, imfassla bħala ċentru għat-tagħlim, il-komunikazzjoni, u l-involviment. Il-pjattaforma se tipprovdi aċċess għal riżorsi ta’ taħriġ, opportunitajiet ta’ volontarjat, għodod għall-interazzjoni fil-komunità, u kontenut ta’ għarfien immirat kemm għall-membri kif ukoll għall-pubbliku inġenerali.

CARE se tiffoka wkoll fuq it-tkabbir u t-tisħiħ tan-netwerk ta’ voluntiera ta’ ARAM, inkluż l-involviment attiv ta’ żgħażagħ u persuni li jingħataw dijanjosi tal-kundizzjoni. Voluntiera mħarrġa se jkollhom rwol ewlieni bħala ambaxxaturi tal-komunità, billi jappoġġjaw inizjattivi ta’ outreach, kampanji ta’ għarfien, u inizjattivi mmexxija minn persuni b’esperjenzi simili.

Billi jgħaqqad l-innovazzjoni diġitali mal-appoġġ ibbażat fil-komunità, il-proġett se jsaħħaħ il-kapaċità ta’ ARAM li taqdi lill-membri tagħha, filwaqt li jippromwovi l-għarfien dwar is-saħħa, iċ-ċittadinanza attiva, u l-inklużjoni soċjali. L-inizjattiva hija wkoll allinjata mill-qrib mal-prijoritajiet nazzjonali marbuta mas-saħħa, il-benesseri, u l-volontarjat.

Il-proġett se jiġi introdott formalment permezz ta’ avveniment dedikat għat-tnedija tiegħu, segwit minn sensiela ta’ workshops, attivitajiet ta’ outreach, u kampanji ta’ għarfien matul is-sena.

…

This project has been funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme (VOPS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). This project/publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Dan il-proġett ġie ffinanzjat permezz taI-Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme amministrata mill-Kunsill Malti għas-Settur tal-Volontarjat fi ħdan il-Ministeru għall-Inklużjoni u s-Settur tal-Volontarjat. Din il-pubblikazzjoni/Dan il-proġett t/jirrifletti biss il-veduti u l-ħsibijiet tal-pubblikaturi/awturi, u l-Kunsill Malti għas-Settur tal-Volontarjat ma jistax jinżamm responsabbli għall-kontenut jew għall-użu li jista’ jsir minn dan l-istess kontenut.

ARAM Receives VOPS Grant for Project CARE

ARAM was proudly represented by its President, Mary Vella, and Vice-President, Sina Bugeja, at the SIS & VOPS Awards Ceremony 2026, where the organisation was officially awarded a VOPS Grant for Project CARE. The ceremony brought together voluntary organisations, community leaders and distinguished guests to celebrate initiatives that make a positive impact on society.

Project CARE is an initiative designed to strengthen support for people living with arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Malta. At the heart of the project is the development of the ARAM Platform, a new digital hub that will provide educational resources, improve communication between members and volunteers, support volunteer management, and promote greater community engagement. The project will also recruit and train new volunteers, helping ARAM expand its reach and ensure long-term, sustainable support for people living with arthritis.

Receiving this grant marks an important milestone for Project CARE and recognises the commitment and hard work of everyone involved. The funding will support the development of the ARAM Platform, the delivery of volunteer training, and the implementation of activities that empower individuals through education, connection and community engagement.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) for its trust and support. We look forward to implementing Project CARE and sharing updates on the project’s progress over the coming months.

December 2019 Newsletter Issue Number 2

 December 2019 Newsletter Issue Number 2

Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta
P O Box 55 Birkirkara Malta

www.aramalta.com

Tel Nr: +35699259532
Email: aramalta@gmail.com
Facebook: Arthritis & Rheumatism Association Malta
Instagram: ARAM Malta
Twitter: @ArthritisMalta
YouTube: http://bit.ly/2vwtb7d

Dear Reader

We are pleased to issue our second half-yearly newsletter for 2019.
In this edition you will find an overview of some of the activities held during the last six months, giving a special mention to our events organised for our members.
As an association, we organise as many activities as possible for our members with special emphasis and highlight to regular exercise and an active lifestyle coupled with educational events in favour of a healthy Mediterranean diet and hygiene tips. For the first time in collaboration with Dar Kenn għal Sahhtek, and funded by the Small Initiatives Scheme, (Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector) a five-week programme was organised. Also in July, our members had the opportunity to attend a live-in, wherein a very full programme was offered to all who attended. In Summer ARAM Executive Committee members were busy working on diverse initiatives, also following up on the success of our participation in the European Week for Waste Reduction last year, ARAM is committed to continuing creating awareness about the proper disposal of medicinal waste. In October, World Arthritis Day was commemorated on the 21st October 2019 through a half-day conference held at Malta Parliament House. ARAM was honoured to host PARE President Mr Dieter Wiek to address this conference together with other key speakers whose contribution was greatly appreciated and fruitful. The EULAR Standing Committee of PARE gathers representatives of rheumatic and musculoskeletal user groups around Europe to work together towards improving the quality of life for the more than 120 million people in Europe living with these conditions. The committee’s vision is of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Europe being empowered to lead full and independent lives. The last event for the year was held at the Mdina Museum Cathedral, a visit to the Neapolitan crib at the Mdina Cathedral followed by a light lunch together in Rabat.

Please save the date for our next General Annual Meeting on the 31st March 2020 to be held at Hilltop Gardens, Naxxar. More information to follow.

Enjoy reading!
Mary Vella
President, Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta

The Personal Training and Healthy Eating Program: July 12th – August 9th 2019

This five-week programme was open to ARAM members on a voluntary basis, wherein a Physiotherapist developed and guided applicants through an exercise programme individually suited for every participant. A fitness evaluation assessment was mandatory before enrolment and a Lifestyle Questionnaire and health history including total disclosure of any prescribed medication were necessary. Every participant needed to obtain one’s physician’s permission to participate in the programme. Each weekly session lasted two hours, commencing with exercises on gym equipment held at the venue’s facilities for the first hour, followed by a professional nutritionist’s lecture about the recommended diet for persons living with Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases.

Testimony was written by Mrs Phyllis Camilleri, an ARAM member

The Dar Kenn għal Saħħtek programme helped me a great deal to tackle my Arthritis problem with the help of its professional staff and the services provided proved to be an effective treatment. Something which I admired was how they analysed and assessed me upon enrolment. Throughout the programme, using a questionnaire, my progress was being maintained by a professional physiotherapist. The talks delivered by the professional nutritionist were most interesting and all in all this programme was tailored and suited for each individual. They advised me about the suitable food necessary to maintain my symptoms and to consume a suitable diet for my needs. This programme motivated me to perform physical activity in my every day life and exercise led me to enjoy a better lifestyle and a better quality of life. This five-week Nutrition and Exercise programme was very helpful for my overall health and I hope it will be included in the ARAM yearly calendar. A special thanks and a very big well done to all the ARAM committee members that organised this programme for us to enjoy.

ARAM Annual Live In Lunzjata Retreat House, Rabat, Malta

The live-In kicked off on 12th July 2019 at 4.30 pm and came to an end on the 14th July 2019. The programme for this weekend included a talk delivered by Mr Michael Dalmas B Pharm about Emotional Healing and Bach Flower Remedy System, a talk delivered by Ms Nathalie Muschamp, co-ordinator of dance therapy at Stepping up for Parkinsons, as well as a talk delivered by an official from Social Services about pensions, social support, etc. Also on the agenda was a very interesting talk delivered by Petra Spiteri, entitled Mindfulness and Adult Health. ARAM also screened two videos, namely Restless Lives, managing fatigue, sleep and pain and another video about managing Arthritis, the latter is a production of European League against Rheumatism.

During the live-in participants were encouraged to take short country walks in line with the vision that ARAM constantly advocates for an active lifestyle.

This project has been funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector on behalf of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sports and Voluntary Organisations within the Ministry for Education and Employment”. This project/publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MEDE and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein”

World Arthritis Day 2019 Malta: Don’t Delay Connect Today, Time2Work

The Arthritis and Rheumatism Association of Malta (ARAM) organised a national conference in Malta based on the EULAR ‘Time2Work’ campaign for 2019 which aims to raise more awareness on the importance of entering and staying in the place of work. The conference also discussed possible stumbling blocks with a view that these barriers will be discussed at the policy level to bring about the necessary improvements. This campaign aims to normalise work, to encourage persons suffering from RMD’s to seek employment and/or stay in employment, not to take on the sick role. The objectives include discussing what barriers interfere with peoples’ choice in work, working towards diminishing such barriers and above all, initiating a national discussion with the employers’ associations, unions and patients’ organizations on the best way forward. One of the patients Roderick Agius recalled how 6 years go, he was diagnosed with Psoriasis, which then developed into Psoriatic Arthritis. He explained that pain in his hand joints, wrists, knees and shoulders is constant and does not go away. Furthermore, he added that the discomfort created by society is sometimes greater than the physical one. “I don’t want people to pity me. All I want is that society is not conditioned by my situation”. Mr Agius argued that workers who suffer from arthritis, like him, deserve better working conditions without the need for begging. He recalled how every morning he needs to climb up 28 high steps to reach his office where he works, notwithstanding the pain and fatigue. Professor Andrew A. Borg DM(Manch.) MD DMed.Rehab(L) FRCP FACR CCT(UK)(Rheum.), Head, Rheumatology Service, Mater Dei Hospital and Chairman Government Formulary List Advisory Committee Head, Rheumatology Service, Mater Dei Hospital, crushed the myth that only elderly persons suffer from arthritis. He said that there is even a 3-month old baby that is being treated for Juvenile Arthritis. He stressed the importance that patients undergo early treatment so that they can live a normal life. However, Prof Borg said the main challenge is the high price of effective medicines. The President of ARAM, Mary Vella, said that there are around 60,000 Maltese people that suffer from arthritis. She explained that arthritis consists of 200 different types, with the most common are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is the worst condition of them all. It is a life-long and a life-threatening condition and if not taken care of, can cause serious consequences to internal organs and complications by causing deformities and physical impairment. The Vice-President of ARAM, Sina Bugeja, said that a survey conducted among patients showed that there are people who are trying to learn how to live with pain because they cannot afford treatment, with the average expense being €200 per month. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Anġlu Farrugia, thanked ARAM for its sterling work in contributing to raising more awareness about Arthritis in Malta. He said that ARAM serves as a bridge of information for the public in general and even for those patients of arthritis who are suffering in silence. The national conference served as a platform for people that suffer from Arthritis and RMD’s to share their story publicly to break the barriers and raise more awareness about their difficulties in their daily routine especially at the place of work.
Present during the conference, the Vice-President of EULAR, Dieter Wiek, as well as trade unions that represent workers and employer and other groups from civil society including the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD).
Members of Parliament Hon Maria Deguara, Hon Stephen Spiteri and Hon Silvio Grixti also shared their thoughts during the national conference. Maltese MEPs serving at the European Parliament namely Hon Alex Agius Saliba, Hon Miriam Dalli, Hon Roberta Metsola and Hon Alfred Sant sounded their thoughts recorded messages.

Educational and cultural outing to Mdina in December 2019

An educational and cultural outing to the traditional Neapolitan crib featuring a collection of 18th-century crèche figurines on display at the Mdina Cathedral, Malta. Mons Edgar Vella, in my opinion, a walking encyclopedia, captured our attention with his detailed account about the history of this crib. It features 222 figurines in traditional period costumes of the different regions of the kingdom of Carlo III, king of the Bourbons. The figurines were manufactured and compiled over 25 years. The various episodes in this crib include the Mistero, which portrays the nativity of Jesus, together with Mary and Joseph, surmounted by the star of Bethlehem and a myriad of angels. This scene is complemented by the adoration of the shepherds and the Magi, with an entourage of exotic oriental characters that add to the opulence of the central episode. This cultural and educational event organised by ARAM was enjoyed by all who attended. Afterwards, ARAM members visited the Cathedral Museum, yet another jewel in the Old City Mdina. Thanks, Mons Edgar Vella, and the Curator and staff at the impeccable Museum.

The Editor  hopes you have enjoyed this newsletter, look out for our next edition due in June 2020
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June 2019 Newsletter Issue Number 1

Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta

P O Box 55 Birkirkara Malta

www.aramalta.com

Tel Nr:           +35699259532

Email:           aramalta@gmail.com

Facebook:     Arthritis & Rheumatism Association Malta

Instagram:   ARAM Malta

Twitter:         @ArthritisMalta

Dear Reader

We are pleased to issue our first half-yearly newsletter for 2019.

In this edition you will find an overview of some of the activities held during the last six months, giving a special mention to our ‘Walk with Me’ project initiated by ARAM to stress the importance of exercise in patients suffering from RMD’s.  This is the fourth year that ARAM qualified for this grant called ‘Small Initiatives Scheme’ administered by the Malta Council of Voluntary Services to finance the Voluntary Organisations to organise their activities for their members.  In January 2019 we visited the silent city Mdina followed by a cultural trip to Palazzo Falson.  In February we walked in the beautiful gardens of Buskett led by a local professional guide.  In March we chose to be active by an orientation visit to Inspire Fitness Centre whereas in April we walked at Dingli Cliffs preceeded by a lecture about the Fauna and Flora at the Dingli Interpretation Centre.    In the warm month of June, a group of twenty-six members were led by a professional guide to a visit in Vittoriosa, for a walk along the promenade leading to our visit at the Inquisitor’s Palace.

You may wish to read three articles about the different walks highlighted above, penned by members/carers who have attended our exercise programmes.

Enjoy reading!

Mary Vella

President, Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta

Articles written by Mrs. Catherine Sammut, ARAM’s Treasurer

Buskett Gardens Walk with Me Event held on 13/2/2019

We had the first one today, 13 February, kissed by the rays of the sun which warmed us during our walk under a clear, blue, cloudless sky. The walks are being organised by ARAM, the association in Malta that works towards combating pain and discomfort caused by arthritis and rheumatism. These events become a success through the hard-working committee chaired by the industrious Ms. Mary Vella.

Today’s walk was inside the heavenly Buskett gardens. I reckon that we all know where Buskett gardens are in the neighbourhood of Had-Dingli; I assume that most of us have been there probably for the umpteenth time. However, after having heard the able guide we had, we tend to view Buskett gardens from a different perspective.

We started by meeting Mr. Ebejer, our clever guide just outside the gardens where he delivered a talk on Buskett in detail without being boring! In his relaxed way, very clearly and in fluent Maltese, he related a thorough history of Buskett as it was originally under the Knights of St John.  The Knights had built it, but it was transformed under the British when the latter set foot on our islands to govern them; he also included the little changes that Buskett saw in recent times under Maltese authorities, while adding episodes from our local History which are somehow related to Buskett, knights and grandmasters!

Proceeding into the gardens themselves, we walked along the narrow passages in between trees, shrubs and wild plants. There, we not only noted the sheer beauty that mother nature graced our islands with, but we also learned things we had not known before, the like of what garigue is; we were made aware of its existence inside Buskett by viewing it. While we kept on walking, we were being given information about trees, shrubs and plants. We got to know that in tiny Malta there are hundreds of wild flowers growing, the number of which equals that growing in England, an island many and many times our island’s size! Also, now we know why cypress trees have been opted for in cemeteries. Actually, the scent of these trees conduces tranquility and it is only proper that mourners in a burial ground find some kind of tranquility bereaving a loved one!

Our clever and well-informed guide kept on delivering in a very interesting manner about the greenery we met along our way as we headed to Ir-Razzett tal-Għorof where we were made welcomed by the nice staff there. We were given a bite and a sip which we consumed heartily after the lovely walk. Then came a short film about falconry in Malta, cleverly explained by our guide who whetted our appetite to know more by his incidental episodes of Maltese History.

When one is feeling glad and satisfied, one does not even realise that time flies; and that is what happened to us all in the group! We were so happy having spent such a wonderful morning relaxing in a celestial environment, where besides internalising knowledge we made our joints loosen and get stronger for better mobility.

Valletta Walk with Me event held on 28^th March 2019

It was meant to take place on 21 March, the first day of Spring, but we all know what inclement weather we experienced on that day! So, it had to be postponed and it was decided to attempt 28 March which proved to be a fine wonderful day!

We met by the Triton fountain; Neville, our clever guide, joined us. We started walking into our capital city, the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen, as Benjamin Disraeli would have it! There immediately came our first stop to learn about the structure of the bastions, the entrance to Valletta and the number of times it was changed, and the reason why it was not easy for the enemy to enter Valletta in the times of the Knights.

A short walk further in and we came to the recently-built House of Parliament. Even though most of us walk along in front of parliament so many times a year, we hardly ever notice interesting details like the walls built like those of a castle and the Piano staircases being narrower at the top, and so on. Once we were there, in that spot, it was obvious that we would admire one of the noble architectural building, Palazzo Ferreria, currently housing the Ministry for Family and Social Solidarity.   Incidentally, we learnt how the Maltese wooden balconies came to be and why they are rarely found on our sister island, Gozo.

Walking further up we stopped in the circus where the monument for de Valette is. We got quite some interesting information about the hero-founder of our capital city and about his valour. While there, our clever guide talked about the two churches at the corners, namely that of St Catherine of Alexandria and that of Our Lady of Victories, the first building in Valletta. The portico on the front of St Catherine’s church makes the building exceptional!

We ventured to Castille Place where, needless to say, the guide related quite a big chunk about the history of the splendid auberge built by Grandmaster Pinto de Fonseca. The current building is not the original one built to house the Knights of Castile, Leon and Portugal. Pinto rebuilt it in the 1740s.

Some more walking and we entered the Upper Barrakka gardens. We got to know why the two gardens – lower and upper – are called Barrakka and how the bust of Churchill came to be put in those gardens. We admired our famous grand harbour that is a natural harbour with its depth being ideal for ships. We learnt about the three cities, Cottonera, and its role during the reign of the Knights of St John as well as during the British rule.

Out of Barrakka, we walked into St Paul’s Street, turned left into Melita Street and right into Merchants’ Street. We got some information about the church of St James, about a house which still stands and which dates back from the period of the knights, and about the Castellania Palace that nowadays houses the Ministry for Health but as its name implies it served as a court of justice and a prison in the times of the knights. We were given a detailed explanation of a large decoration above the main door that depicts the definition of justice.

Here we were made aware of the reason why the three main streets of Valletta are wider than the rest of the streets; that underneath the streets we walk there are large cisterns where water would be collected for use by the residents of the city. Underneath would also serve as sorts of cesspits which would be flushed clean by sea-water.

At the corner with St John Street where there used to be the “ganċ”, hook – the reason for that part of the street taking its nickname as “it-triq tal-ganċ” – there is a stone pedestal which had a quite interesting role. Those who would commit some slight criminal offence would be placed on that pedestal and would be humiliated by the crowd that would gather around.

Turning on the left into St John Street, we were immediately being briefed about the magnificent St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a richly ornamented piece of architecture on the inside while quite plain on the outside. The entrance main door had been enlarged and apertures were opened on the inside to have more light entering the cathedral.

It was there where we had to put a stop to our walk because time was up. We enjoyed every second of our walk! Not only we walked about exercising ourselves and loosening our muscles, but we learnt a lot about our beloved Valletta. Pity on those who did not join us! They did miss a lot!

Article written by Mr. Carmelo Camilleri, carer and spouse of a patient member

Vittoriosa Walk with Me event held on 4th June 2019

On 4^th June 2019, Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta, organised an activity that took us to the South East Region at The Three Cities, and particularly to Vittoriosa.

On the day of this activity all those that attended met at the Upper Barakka Gardens in Valletta where one could admire our natural harbour, surely one of the most beautiful harbours in the Mediterranean.  We started by meeting our professional guide Ms. Charmaine Borg who surely should be praised for all the information and detailed episodes she recounted to us all throughout this activity.

The Valletta lift transported us all to the shoreline and together we headed off to the ferry to take us to the Three Cities. On arrival at Cospicua we had a short coffee break and then started off with our walk to Citta Vittoriosa, an old fortified city which occupies a promontory of land with Fort St. Angelo at its head and the city of Cospicua at its base. We passed through a narrow stairway street on the side of St. Lawrence Church and reached Palazzo Bettina that was reputed to be haunted and dates to the 17th century.  This building has a long-varied history serving as a residence for a number of distinguished individuals and families. We then walked up to the main square where one finds the Victory statue commemorating the Great Siege of 1565 and, which was placed there in 1705 during the Grand Mastership of Ramon Pirellis. Afterwards we visited the Inquisitor’s Palace where our guide imparted her knowledge about the history of this edifice and showed us around this magnificent piece of architecture which was built by the knights in the 1530. Afterwards it served as home to the Inquisitors of the Roman Catholic Church complete with prison cells, tribunal room, chapel and myriad dark legends of torture and punishment. Time just whizzed by and we headed back on foot to the Vittoriosa shoreline to catch the 1.30pm ferry back to Valletta to end our entertaining and very interesting visit of the Three Cities.

I must say that all twenty-six members who attended enjoyed this activity and a special thanks goes to the organising committee of ARAM association.

Additional article written by Mr. Patrick Formosa, ARAM member

On 4/6/19, members from the Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta (ARAM) were treated to a tour of the Inquisitor’s Palace in Vittoriosa.

The trip to the 16^th century palace, starting from the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, our assembly point, provided the group with an opportunity to cross the harbour on the ferry.  Led by a professional guide, we could appreciate the natural beauty, cultural heritage and the imposing military infrastructure that surrounds the magnificent Grand Harbour.

As we were being ferried towards Vittoriosa, we could all sense that the harbour is extremely busy with commercial, industrial and pleasure-driven activities.   The dgħajsa tal-pass, visible on the harbour’s water, seems to be making a comeback.  Its presence generated a lot of nostalgia on the ferry.

The walk from the ferry terminal to the Inquisitor’s Palace featured a number of historical places that are generally well restored and which reminded us of the different phases in the history of Malta.  As we listened to the guide’s expert narration, we could appreciate the important role that Birgu played in the maritime as well as the military history of Malta.

Originally built in the first decades of the sixteenth century, the Inquisitor’s Palace, the focus of our outing, served as the official seat of the Inquisition from 1574 to 1798.  Here, the Inquisitor resided, and the transgressors of the faith tried and imprisoned.

The Palace is a veritable architectural gem.  Altered several times and eclectic in style, the palace offers an architectural experience that ranges from the Gothic to the Baroque.  We were proud to hear that it is the only Inquisitor’s Palace open to the public in the world.

As we walked through its chambers, we could sense that the purpose it served from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century is completely alien to today’s society.  Here, we have a reminder of how important the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and worship are.

While providing the visitor with an opportunity to learn more about the history of the Inquisition in Malta, the Inquisitor’s Palace also serves as an ethnographic museum.  The Palace welds the history of the powerful with that of the popular, reminding us all that history belongs to the people.

The Editor hopes you have enjoyed this newsletter, look out for our next edition due in December.

June 2016 event

Exercises @ Gnejna Bay