La Valette sword to be returned... on loan

The famed sword and dagger belonging to Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette will be loaned to Malta by the Louvre Museum when the Maltese Capital takes on the title of European Culture Capital in 2018, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt. The tell tale sign that the Government was discussing the sword with its French counterpart came through an official photo of Wednesday’s meeting between Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the French President, François Hollande. In the picture, an aide on the French side can be seen leafing through a document, which, on closer inspection reveals a photo showing the sword’s gilded and diamond-studded hilt. mmicallef@timesofmalta.com See full story in The Sunday Times of Malta