The John Mackintosh Hall, known as the John Mac Hall to locals, is the main

cultural centre A cultural center or cultural centre is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture and arts. Cultural centers can be neighborhood community arts organizations, private facilities, government-sponsored, or activist-run. Asia * Cen ...

in the British Overseas Territory of

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. It consists of a public library, a

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...

conference hall A conference hall, conference room, or meeting room is a room provided for singular events such as business conferences and meetings. Room It is commonly found at large hotels and convention centers though many other establishments, including even ...

, 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 philanthropist John Mackintosh, who in his will left a bequest to build a place that would strengthen the cultural and educational ties between Gibraltar and the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. The John Mackintosh Hall was opened to the public by the then

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

, General Sir Dudley Ward, on 8 April 1964. The building's architectural style follows the

Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western Europe, Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa ...

architectural traditions, with a series of interconnected

courtyard A courtyard or court is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky. Courtyards are common elements in both Western and Eastern building patterns and have been used by both ancient and contemporary ...

s 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

lecture A lecture (from Latin ''lēctūra'' “reading” ) is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject, for example by a university or college teacher. Lectures are used to convey critical infor ...

s, 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, 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