The John Mackintosh Hall, known as the John Mac Hall to locals, is the main
cultural centre in the
British Overseas Territory
The British Overseas Territories (BOTs), also known as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs), are fourteen dependent territory, territories with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom. They are the last remna ...
of
Gibraltar
)
, anthem = " God Save the King"
, song = " Gibraltar Anthem"
, image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg
, map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe
, map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green
, mapsize =
, image_map2 = Gib ...
. It consists of a
public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil service, civil servants.
There are ...
, a
theatre,
conference hall, and several multi-purpose spaces.
History
The hall was built on the site the old military Grand Stores as that building had been damaged by the explosion in 1951 caused by
RFA Bedenham which killed 13 people.
Its name pays tribute to
Gibraltarian
The Gibraltarians (Spanish: ''gibraltareños'', colloquially: '' llanitos'') are an ethnic group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterran ...
philanthropist
Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the Public good (economics), public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private goo ...
John Mackintosh John Mackintosh may refer to:
* John Mackintosh (luthier) (–1840), Irish luthier and professor
* John MacKintosh (1790–1881), farmer and politician in Prince Edward Island
* John Mackintosh (soldier) (1797–1846), British military aide-de-ca ...
, who in his
will
Will may refer to:
Common meanings
* Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death
* Will (philosophy), or willpower
* Will (sociology)
* Will, volition (psychology)
* Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will
...
left a bequest to build a place that would strengthen the cultural and educational ties between Gibraltar and the
United Kingdom.
The John Mackintosh Hall was opened to the public by the then
Governor, General Sir
Dudley Ward, on 8 April 1964. The building's architectural style follows the
Mediterranean architectural traditions, with a series of interconnected
courtyards where the sunlight and the heat of the summer months is controlled with the use of trees, shaded areas and fountains.
Although it was originally designed as an educational institution specifically for the benefit of Gibraltar's youth, it has over time been adapted to also cater for various adult cultural events. The library was expanded and the theatre can now host conferences and
lectures, besides
musical performances.
The two major plays written in Gibraltar, "''La Lola se va pá Londre''" and "''Connie con cama camera en el comedor''," both by
Elio Cruz
Elio Cruz (1931 – 14 June 2019) was a Gibraltarian playwright, who composed both in English and in Llanito. Cruz co-founded the Theatre Group 56 with Luis Azzopardi and Cecil Gomez. Cruz penned two of the most successful plays staged in Gibra ...
, debuted in the John Mackintosh Hall in 1966 and 1969 respectively.
References
External links
Historical Gibraltar Attractions
{{Gibraltar topics
Gibraltarian culture
Buildings and structures in Gibraltar
Tourist attractions in Gibraltar