Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici has opened the fourth biennial symposium organised by Wirt iż-Żejtun. This symposium will be looking at Maltese villages, with the keynote speaker being Professor Dr Brian W. Blouet from the William & Mary Williamsburg University in the USA, known for his book The Story of Malta.

The symposium aims to offer a platform for academics and researchers to share their knowledge on the subject, whilst encouraging an increase in appreciation towards values and the heritage of our old urban settlements. It also intends to lead to a better understanding as to why these urban areas and their content are to be conserved and protected.

In his address, Minister Bonnici made reference to the Government’s commitment to improve and embellish these old towns and villages, whilst also mentioning the introduction of amendments to the Culture and Heritage Act, to “align to modern day requirements and operating environments in order to continue placing cultural heritage on a stronger footing.”

“This new proposed Bill, which has now entered the parliamentary process, aims to reflect the reality and challenges that the sector is now facing both on a local and international dimension. The proposed changes include a number of provisions, some of which are: the regularisation of the grant of a warrant to conservators; refining the definition of cultural heritage to include underwater cultural heritage; and the strengthening of Heritage Malta on conservation and restoration. All of this is being done to better regulate the sector in order to provide more stability”, stated Minister Bonnici.

The Government, he said, is truly committed to keep on working to better improve and safeguard this ever-growing sector.