Gibraltar’s diverse cultural agenda is now highlighted in a new-look website unveiled by the government. The aim of the website, which comes under the auspices of Gibraltar Cultural Services on behalf of the ministry of culture, is to support and improve interaction between the community and department and stay abreast of technological advancements, in line with a commitment to provide a “friendly e-government service”.
The website includes all aspects of events and facilities run by GCS, and will promote, encourage and foster the arts and cultural activities locally as well as exporting Gibraltar’s culture abroad. Specifically, the website includes a home page with user-friendly icons, a calendar of events, cultural news, event photographs, cultural venues managed by the GCS and an extended list of cultural organisations. It also incorporates a special feature, “Art Heritage”, that provides biographies and artwork samples of renowned artists from the community.
Another key objective of the revamped website is to serve as a portal that will support all government-run cultural activities or events, as well as those that have government support or funding through its organised festivals. In addition, the website will have a direct link to the Visit Gibraltar, Miss Gibraltar, Mayor of Gibraltar and CultureTV websites, plus social media accounts for GCS.
“Our intention,” said GCS CEO Seamus Byrne, “is to have a website that reflects our work and artistic character, and represents the cultural haven and cultural hub that exists in Gibraltar. For this we have taken a modern and creative approach to the site, its content and its structure.”
Added minister for culture Dr John Cortes, “This website provides a wealth of useful information on cultural activities and facilities in Gibraltar. It adds to the already considerable online presence and personality of Cultural Gibraltar, which has developed so much during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Refurbishment of Mario Finlayson National Art Gallery
The Mario Finlayson National Art Gallery is also reopening after renovation work, with new artworks now on show. During lockdown, the team at Gibraltar Cultural Services refurbished the rooms, redecorating and curating a new exhibition. The first phase includes the completion of the Gustavo Bacarisas Room and the entrance area featuring works by Mario Finlayson; while the Quote Room is now a free-flowing space enabling visitors to move seamlessly between the City Hall rooms on the ground floor and explore works by Gibraltar’s best-known artists.
Launched in 2015, the gallery pays tribute to Gibraltar’s art heritage, and artists who played an active role in shaping Gibraltar’s artistic landscape in the 1900s. Some of the newly-displayed artworks have not been seen on the Rock before and have been purchased at auction and from private collections – with works by Elio Cruz featuring as part of this new offering.
The Gustavo Bacarisas Room now has eight new paintings including Jugando Con La Abuela, Paisaje, Jarron De Flores and Bodegon de Frutas. Phase two of the gallery’s refurbishment will be highlighted by the completion of rooms featuring paintings and drawings by Leni Mifsud, Rudesindo Mannia and Jacobo Azagury.
The government has also launched a new website for Gibraltar’s only World Heritage Site – Gorham’s Cave Complex.