For the 11th year running, Bank of Valletta teamed up with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna on the 'Hands on Heritage" Education Programme, a hands-on programme for school-children aimed at raising awareness on Malta's rich cultural heritage.

The "Hands-on-Heritage" Programme sees schoolchildren visiting one of the Foundation's sites such as Fort Rinella, Malta at War Museum, Kordin III prehistoric temples, the Saluting Battery at the Upper Barracca Gardens and Notre Dame Gate in Vittoriosa. During these visits, specially trained animators take the role of teachers to engage the students in a number of practical sessions meant to help them understand the more complex elements of our history and heritage.

Michael Galea, Executive Head CEO's Office at Bank of Valletta and Mario Farrugia, CEO, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna attended one of the practical sessions held at the Saluting Battery. This practical session focused on the implements used to measure time and about historic guns and artillery.

Through today's session of the "Hands-on-Heritage" Programme we are offering students the unique opportunity to handle period instruments and tools and learn how they worked and how they were used" said Mr Farrugia. "We encourage children to observe and document aspects of architecture, learn old skills and discuss issues of heritage and historical interest."

"Today we are launching a teachers' pack and a children's workbook that have been specifically designed for the Saluting Battery", continued Mr Farrugia. "This will shortly be extended to all five historic sites under the Fondazzjoni's patronage and will also be available for download from the Fondazzjoni's website. We are proud to say that over 20,000 children have benefited from this programme over the years."

"We are delighted to extend our support towards this excellent initiative undertaken by the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. The Hands on Heritage project is combining an educational experience with the direct appreciation of our cultural heritage through a unique programme that has engaged hundreds of students over the years," stated Mr Galea. Congratulating the FWA on its commitment to sustaining this initiative over the years, Mr. Galea said that BOV was actively involved in supporting the preservation of Malta's heritage. "This project is an excellent example of a hands on experience considered to be the most effective way of promoting knowledge about the rich heritage that the Maltese islands have to offer," concluded Mr. Galea.

The event was concluded with the firing of cannon to the enthusiasm of all present.