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Heritage Malta presents personal arms to President of Malta
Heritage Malta presents personal arms to President of Malta
Heritage Malta presented H.E. the President of Malta, Dr George Vella, with his coat of arms. Although these arms are personal and not official, they still reflect Dr Vella’s unique position as Head of State and the motto Servitus et Praefectus highlights the fact that he is both the servant and the head of the Maltese nation.
The arms were presented at San Anton Palace by the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta, Dr Charles A. Gauci, whose office within Heritage Malta’s remit regulates all heraldic emblems on the Maltese Islands. Anthony Scicluna, Heritage Malta’s Chairman; Noel Zammit, Heritage Malta’s CEO; and Russell Muscat, Heritage Malta’s International Relations Manager, were also present.
The President expressed his gratitude towards Heritage Malta for the coat of arms and commended Dr Charles A. Gauci for the precision and detail entailed in his work and for the meticulous manner in which the arms were presented. Heritage Malta’s representatives and the President discussed the importance of Maltese heraldry as part of our country’s intangible cultural heritage, as well as the rich heraldry adorning our churches, palaces and other tangible heritage.
The parties also discussed the strengthening of their mutual cooperation with regard to conservation, in projects such as the one currently undertaken at the Grand Master’s Palace. The President’s personal arms feature the chequered sail traditionally linked to the surname ‘Vella’.
In the President’s case, it was thought apt that this feature should be incorporated into a ship in full sail so as to underline the fact that Dr Vella, metaphorically speaking, sails the ship of state. The wind is depicted as being strong and the sea rough, since sailing the ship of state is not always an easy task. Each supporter of the arms holds an object alluding to the President’s personal life.
The one on the left holds an old map, referring to the President’s almost lifelong career in foreign affairs, while the one on the right holds the staff of Aesculapius, alluding to the President’s medical profession. Some of the honours bestowed upon the President throughout his lifetime are also depicted in the various insignia around the shield.
The fact that the President hails from Żejtun, something of which he is immensely proud, is reflected in the crest where the flag of Żejtun is shown. Dr Vella’s unique position as Head of State is displayed in the helmet, which is full facing, silver with gold visor bars. Only presidents and former presidents are granted such a helm.
