Din l-Art Ħelwa is hosting a talk by wall painting conservators Stephen Rickerby and Lisa Shekede, at its premises at 133, Melita Street, Valletta, on Friday, January 23 at 6pm.
Rickerby and Shekede are well known in Malta for their work on the Paladini frescoes at the Grand Master’s Palace and the baroque ceiling paintings at the church of Our Lady of Victory in Valletta. Their past and current projects include the preservation of medieval and Byzantine churches in Cyprus and Georgia, ancient tombs in Egypt, and Buddhist caves and temples in China and Bhutan.
During the talk, they will give a presentation on the art and culture of Ethiopia’s painted churches, highlighting their conservation work on the Eastern Orthodox rock cut churches of Tigray and how this led to setting up Desta, a charity to help destitute people in this war torn country.
The talk will be illustrated with stunning images and videos. Entrance at is free and all are welcome.
About conservation and humanitarian aid
The northern highlands of Tigray, Ethiopia, are famed for their ancient rock-cut churches, which are widely scattered in remote locations across mountainous terrain.
In 2013, Rickerby and Shekede began working in the region to preserve the stunning paintings found in many of the churches. Through this challenging work, they forged enduring friendships and connections.
Realising that efforts to preserve the churches were bound to fail if the lives and livelihoods of their surrounding communities were not also supported, they began several humanitarian initiatives.
A brutal war engulfed the region from 2020–2022, bringing untold tragedy to countless thousands of people. This prompted Stephen and Lisa to establish ‘Desta Ethiopia’, a UK charity which operates without political affiliation or religious or ethnic bias to support people in need.
While full-scale war has halted, the region continues to experience conflict and unrest, and lasting peace remains elusive. Food insecurity is an ever-present reality. Many remain displaced and are struggling to survive. Hospitals and schools destroyed or ransacked in the fighting have not been rebuilt or re-equipped. The most vulnerable – especially women and children – are the most affected.
‘Desta Ethiopia’ liaises with church organisations, local administrators and NGOs, and trusted volunteers to dispense funds and assistance to the neediest, including street children orphaned by war and women survivors of sexual violence.