Marquis Nicholas de Piro is among the loveliest people I have ever met. From culture to history, he is passionate about almost every topic out there, and he tells stories with a glint in his eye and a cheeky grin that always has me enthralled. And those stories aren’t just any stories, but tales from his incredible family history and memories from his own incredible vault. It is always a pleasure to have access to them.

And one of the best ways to do that is to pop by Marquis de Piro’s family home in Valletta – the beautiful Casa Rocca Piccola on Republic Street. It’s open to the public and, occasionally, the Marquis himself shows people round. “We originally decided to open the house to the public because so many of Valletta’s lovely palazzini where becoming banks, offices and shops,” he explains. “Casa Rocca Piccola was the survivor of what had been a good number of fine Maltese residences in the city. I knew it might be controversial, especially within the family, but I opened it to the public as a symbol of the Maltese aspirations from the past.

Also, because of the fact that some good examples of past local craft still survived within his family: the Marquis explains that there was furniture, pictures, metalcraft and even wonderful lace to share with the house’s student and tourist visitors. “There was a way of life which would soon be unknown to our youth that I felt should be focused on for the sake of our identity in posterity,” he says.

Asked about the role that Maltese aristocracy plays in relation to Malta’s cultural heritage, Nicholas explains that the fact the island had a ‘totally Maltese aristocracy’ proves that “we had sophistication and that we were not a primitive people.

“Heraldry, style and primogeniture created a safety barrier in which the people involved had to behave like lords and ladies, and scandal was unacceptable and certainly punishable,” he says. “The top landowners tied up their estates and could not sell up because it paid! The tenant farmer and the landlord had, on the whole, very good relations and they did not divide their lands when the head of the family died – things just continued normally.”

As for how modern day travellers can best experience the history of Maltese nobility when visiting the island, he believes a trip to Mdina is a good place to start. “As far back as the 1300s, Cikku Gatto was Governor of Malta, a Maltese baron. His house – which is now Casa Inguanez – survives so many generations of Maltese pride and honour. A string of other palaces with local armorial bearings clutter the old city with magnificence. These old families left a heritage of good works of charity and, often, good example. They gave sons and daughters to the Church to perform exemplary work with dedication. There is much evidence of this.

“However, beyond Mdina, there is also much to be enjoyed from the nobility across the island,” he continues, “especially in old villages, so keep your eyes peeled! To name but a few, the town of Zebbug is home to Palazzo Buleben, Attard has Villa Bologna, and Lija has Villa Gourgion, Villa Preziosi (now renamed Villa Francia), Palazzo d’Amico and Villa Parisio. There is a litany of Maltese nobiliary perspective on these islands and I could quote so much more!”

Meanwhile, Marquis de Piro is also known for his cultural talents – among them his flair for writing poetry. “Like a lot of things I do, my poetry is orthodox and straightforward,” he smiles. “I like to read a book where I can relax with the talent of the author who does not throw too many gimmicks, and my writing is the same. On the other hand, I do like to look into the unexplored and focus on aspects of life within the banal and entertaining mediocrity. I relish the real sounds that are being discouraged by the purists. I like to hear ‘Ciao kif inti alright?’ (a colloquial mixed Maltese/English phrase meaning ‘Hello! How are you? All alright’) That is what my country really sounds like and let’s not forget it. Again, I do revel occasionally in the sophisticated if it adds variety and charm as an entertaining challenge.”

And this flair will be reflected at a wonderful poetry evening that Nicholas is part of next month, at the lovely Salesians Theatre in Sliema. Following on from a very successful evening last year, it will once again raise funds for Save Valletta’s Skyline – an appeal to restore the beautiful spire at St Paul’s Pro Cathedral.

“The Valletta skyline surely is a good representation of the hub of our pretentions and successes,” Nicholas stresses. “The palaces, the churches, the history, in spite of the devastating damage in World War II – it survives and deserves to be protected. It all does honour to Malta.

“When we put on Notions, Nostalgia & Nonsense last year as a poetry soirée, some people told us that it may not be too easy to fill the Salesian’s charming theatre, as poetry was not a great puller. But it was a success and over 300 people attended to hear serious, sentimental and fun poetry with a considerable stress on local identity.

“Now our new Folly, Fantasy & Feeling production will essentially be an evening of entertainment. Only a little heartbreak, some delightful sentimentality, a very amateur chorus-line and the sparkling piano music being performed by none other than Malta’s well-known heart surgeon Alex Manché. Oh, and a touch of nobility,” he smiles.

Folly, Fantasy & Feeling will be performed for one night only at the Teatru Salesjan, Sliema from 6:30pm until 9pm, on Wednesday 27th February 2019. Patrons are entitled to free parking. Tickets are available from the Teatru Manoel website.