Baroque workshop in Sicily

The director of the International Institute for Baroque Studies at the University of Malta has recently been invited to lecture about the teaching and research activities of the institute at an international course on the Baroque architecture of the Val di Noto, Sicily, held under the auspices of the Centro Internazionale di Studi sul Barocco and the recently established architecture faculty of the University of Catania, both based in Syracuse.

In his presentation, Professor Denis De Lucca gave details about the contents of the three certificate, diploma and MA in Baroque Studies courses run by the institute and also outlined the results of concluded and ongoing research projects carried out by institute research assistants and students.

Copies of two books about the Baroque military architects Vertova and Mondion published under the auspices of the institute, a copy of the annual newsletter published in conjunction with the Baroque Route network of the Council of Europe and copies of the recently published first volume of the journal of baroque studies dealing with the Triumph over Death - a Baroque Celebration, were presented to the reference library of the Syracuse centre and important contacts were made with leading academics in Italy who are concerned with various aspects of artistic and architectural studies focusing on the Baroque period.

Professor De Lucca said that very fruitful discussions were also held with Professor Marcello Fagiolo of La Sapienza University in Rome, one of Italy's leading academics in Baroque architecture, with the aim of staring collaborative research work leading to joint publications. He added that another important outcome of the Syracuse meeting will be the organisation of a workshop for Baroque Studies and Architecture students focused on important Baroque buildings and restoration sites in SE Sicily, scheduled for next month.