Heritage Malta in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo has recently launched a series of initiatives specifically aimed to increase appreciation and improve the exhibition of local heritage in order to attract more interest from the general public.

Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, recently visited the Museum of Archaeology situated within the Citadel in Gozo, where a programme of modernisation and re-organisation in the same museum is currently underway. Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Luciano Mule’ Stagno together with Mr Godwin Vella, Acting Head of Heritage Malta in Gozo, accompanied Minister Debono during the visit.

Minister Debono praised works carried out recently at this museum, which included the setting up of a Medieval Room. The Minister emphasised the importance of the preservation and protection of the Gozitan heritage, which besides being a testimonial of the island’s history, is also particularly important to cultural tourism. Minister Debono said that cultural tourism offers Gozo great potential and in fact the Ministry for Gozo has continuously collaborated with Heritage Malta since this National Agency took over the administration of museums and historical sites in Gozo.

Minister Debono said that works such as those recently carried out are instrumental towards better presentation of Gozo’s cultural heritage. Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive Officer explained how besides general improvement works at this museum, another project involves the enlargement of photographs of miniature artefacts in order that they may be used as backdrops in the display of these objects. This will allow better appreciation of certain decorative elements which are otherwise hidden due to the minute size of these objects. The setting up of a digital archive is also intended towards enhancing this museum with copies of a collection of antique photographs and old documents.

During this visit, Minister Debono met two groups of students attending this year’s Skola Sajf programme at the Gharb and Kercem centres. As from this year, Heritage Malta has invited these students for two visits to different museums under its administration. The students, together with their teachers, are guided around the museums and given relative information regarding historical details of the different objects and the sites where they were found. A hands-on experience session then follows at the nearby Science Museum. The Ministry for Gozo is presently co-ordinating activities being held in ten different Skola Sajf Centres around Gozo. The centres in Ghajnsielem, Nadur, Qala, Xaghra, Victoria, Sannat, Munxar, Kercem and Gharb are being attended by around three hundred Gozitan children. Apart from cultural tours, the children are given different experiences during sessions in creative arts, painting and cookery together with a range of information delivered by various philantropic organisations and personalities working in the educational and social sectors. This year, particular attention has been given to information on healthy eating and the introduction of the Euro.

Minister Debono spoke with the children and their teachers whilst showing her appreciation to Heritage Malta employees for their support in this initiative. She stressed the importance of contiuous collaboration between the Ministry for Gozo and this National Agency in order to maintain the importance given to Gozo’s heritage.