A board has been set up to implement the national intangible cultural heritage policy, dealing with all cultural aspects of Malta which cannot be seen or touched, such as the Maltese language.
Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici made the announcement at a press conference at the Archaeology Museum in Valletta on Tuesday afternoon.
He told members of the press as well as local cultural stakeholders how the board was set up on the advice of UNESCO nominated expert Marina Calvo.
The board, chaired by Frank Zammit, includes Dr J.P. Baldacchino, Joseph Magro Conti, Kenneth Gambin, Mario Azzopardi as its members, and Melanie Ciantar Harrington as secretary.
“We are honoured to say that our islands are bestowed with a priceless cultural heritage, which is appreciated by the public and also sought by many tourists. This government is truly committed towards a strategy that safeguards our intangible heritage, and to preserve and pass it on to our future generations,” stressed Minister Bonnici.
Bonnici also stressed that cultural NGOs, interest groups and other members of the community who take an interest are eagerly encouraged to come forward and submit applications to the board so it may make recommendations on what should be included in the national inventory.
Following this process, a number of elements of Malta’s cultural heritage will be proposed for nomination to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, paving the way for its protection and worldwide recognition.
In the same way that tangible cultural heritage sites are given UNESCO status, such as Valletta, the Maltese language, Maltese traditions and other aspects of the culture could be given the same status and protection.
Applications can be submitted based on three categories: intangible cultural heritage elements which need protection to ensure they are not lost, A representative list of intangible cultural heritage elements that strengthen diversity in community and also the need to increase awareness on the importance of this element, and lastly, a good practice register, including programmes, projects and activities which are occurring in the intangible cultural heritage sector, so that through these good practices they are passed on from one generation to another.
This is all possible due to the fact that in March 2017, the Maltese Parliament unanimously approved to ratify the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Following the official ratification through UNESCO, the process to safeguard and promote our intangible cultural heritage could begin.
The culture ministry has created the website https://www.ichmalta.org to serve as a guide for interested applicants. One can also download the form for a proposal to be considered for the inclusion in the national inventory from this website.
Furthermore, the Culture Directorate will be offering assistance to those interested. One can contact the directorate on 25674340 or at [email protected].
Photos by James Caruana