The Malta Independent on Sunday
Peter Apap Bologna’s ‘Memories 1988-2017’ launched
It is unusual to turn up to a book launch only for its author to announce that the book in question had not been delivered. This is what happened at Peter Apap Bologna’s launch of his Memories 1988-2017 a couple of weeks ago. Nevertheless, Peter said a few words to a sizeable audience, at St Patrick’s and then the reception continued. These things happen. So what? We enjoyed the pre-prandial drinks and canapés and interesting guests. Many glide (some glitter) across the pages of this third volume. ***
And today I received a copy of Memories III and I am browsing through it. Nothing like a new book to cheer me up. I have browsed through the photos and there are so many familiar faces there, many when they were much younger. Some have left this world altogether. ***
Peter told his guests he was pleased he had managed to get the trilogy done. “At 76 I can only marvel that so much water has passed under the bridge, and that I was in time to write about it. In the thirty year span of this book, I have enjoyed great happiness and quite a few sadnesses and setbacks, but as has been mentioned I am an optimist. Martin Scicluna says that when I look at a glass, I can see it half full and not half empty. To be honest when I look at a glass I usually see it empty. In these particular circumstances my optimism holds in good stead, as this is an unusual book launch at which there is not book…but that should not prevent us from having an enjoyable get-together.”
And it was indeed a happy occasion. ***
In this book Peter writes briefly about the political scene in 1987 giving us a background to his decision to return to Malta and ‘start afresh,’ which he did in 1988.
Some things haven’t changed although 30 years have passed. About driving: “The standard of driving here is appalling and there is no highway code. Accidents are inevitable however careful one is. We were hit at a roundabout, in the back, while moving! So was it bad luck? Or good luck to be still alive and well? The latter, I guess!” We are on familiar territory here! ***
After years of banking Peter
had decided to open an art gallery and the intention was there even before he returned to Malta.
The Melitensia Art Gallery played a very important part not only in Peter and Alaine’s lives but in the small but significent world of art and artists in Malta.
I love how he came to purchase a number of Gianni Vella’s paintings and pottery from Gianni’s son, which were stored in a dusty garage.
The Maltese discovered George Large’s paintings thanks to Peter and Alaine. George and Pamela were at the book launch and that morning George presented Peter with a painting he had created especially for him. ***
It was not long before the Gallery launched the furniture business with a few exquisite pieces. Hunting them down at sales here and abroad was hard work but fun as well. By now Pascal Demajo and Maurice Mizzi had become partners and soon Alaine started a silver and objects section. The attractive premises were also used for book launches. Perhaps the most important of these launches was that of Nicholas de Piro’s Dictionary, now in its second edition which was, “an instant bestseller”.
***
For art lovers this book is a must with its illustrations and information of several artists both Maltese and foreign including Mary Fedden and her husband Julian Trevelyan who both painted Malta; the worldfamous sculptor Bridget McCrum; Evelyn Gibbs “whose best work was done in Gozo where she had a holiday home”; Andrew Diacono, Isabelle Borg, Douglas Wilmer, Kenneth Zammit Tabona and others. ***
There is family correspondence between Peter and his daughters Sarah and Kate, with his first wife Annie and his girls with their grandmother, Amy.
We learn about birthday celebrations, marriages and baptisms. And of course the exhibitions and receptions, of which so many were held at the Melitensia Art Gallery in the 11 years of its existence.
There is sadness too, especially following the death of Peter’s sister Anna, his mother Amy at 96 and Alaine’s mother in Crans Montana. *** And business was not always great – he had his troubles but never allowed himself to be discouraged.
The lives of others are always interesting and Peter writes about his meeting and eventual marriage to Alaine. Although I have known them since they lived in The Garden House, in Lija I really knew very little about Alaine, except that her mother is half German and half Armenian, that she had worked at Christie’s Geneva for some 13 years. Also that she speaks five languages, is genial, keeps a very low profile and is excellent company. But Alaine has had a solid education, a Sacred Heart girl (St Julian’s and Hove after a short spell at Roedean) she spent three years at the Accademia di belle Arti in Rome and followed courses at different art schools including famous ones in Hanover and Switzerland. ***
What is certain in this most readable book, is that Peter did it his way. He has enormous drive. He also has the resilience to overcome adversity in its various manifestations. Memories 19882017 like the previous two, provides us with a rich portrait of Malta in the recent past. It gives us more than just a fleeting sense of nostalgia. mbenoit@independent.com.mt