Current excavations in the Tas-Silġ site in Marsaxlokk have led to new discoveries – a site that is one of the most important archaeological sites in Malta and possibly in the Central Mediterranean.
Tas-Silġ contains the remains of more than 4000 years of structures, most of which were used for religious purposes, and through these discoveries, we are learning more about our ancestors, and making this information more available to the public, but also shedding more light on the work entailed in archaeological excavations.
On this site one finds the famous Punic temple of Ashtart, which was eventually converted into a sanctuary of Juno – the Roman equivalent to Astarte. Cicero mentioned this temple in his Verres; “… And you, O Royal Juno, whose two temples, situated in two islands of our allies - at Melita and Samos - temples of the greatest sanctity and the greatest antiquity …” Showing the importance of this site in both Punic and Roman eras.
I visited this highly interesting site on Thursday where for the past years both the Missione Archeologica a Malta and the Department of Classics and Archaeology of the University of Malta have conducted extensive excavations. Close collaboration is also held on this and other digs with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. Not all the areas have been investigated and the site is open only to the public during open days or on request.
One such area is the so-called ‘farmhouse’ which is currently aimed for restoration in order to turn it into a visitor centre. This centre will enable visitors to enjoy better services when visiting the site. It will also be equipped with digital interpretations to enhance the public’s experience and understanding of the site.
Proper investigations are being done since this farmhouse was built within the archaeological site, so it was necessary to understand the archaeological remains which might have survived beneath the floor of this relatively modern structure. The significance of such an excavation garners more importance when one remembers that the location of this structure occupies a corner of this once-famous temple.
Although still unfinished, the removal of the farmhouse floors have uncovered a series of floors and preparation layers, including the 2,000 year old floor of the Temple of Ashtart.
This project is just the first step in a long-term plan that Heritage Malta is currently implementing for the site. These include the finalising of a management plan, and a conservation plan.
This is yet another project which collectively are meant to learn our past, but also to preserve and protect our rich cultural history.
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This week I also visited two chapels incidentally both dedicated to St Joseph and on which various restoration works are being carried out by the Restoration Directorate: The old Manikata church and St Joseph’s in Santa Venera.
Both works are possible thanks to the 4th Restoration Works Scheme for Local Councils which has been issued once again to ensure that local councils are assisted in restoring historic buildings and monuments found in their locality.
I fully endorse this scheme as it complements our strategy to make culture and heritage more accessible, whilst encouraging better preservation and appreciation of our heritage.
The Restoration Directorate is fulfilling our government’s strategy into making this sector more accessible to all, by ensuring that through its work and dedication, it makes local historic monuments and buildings available for generations to come through restoration. We are also working to further enhance our local cultural product, as we steadily are becoming an all-around cultural destination which captures the eye of many visitors.
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Another success in our priority to make our heritage accessible to all was the great response received from students for the Heritage Malta student passport, and the demand for the Heritage Malta senior passport which is even more outstanding. In less than two months since the launching of the senior passport, 9,687 applications were received.
This outstanding response is in itself testament to the successes of our culture strategy, when it comes to outreach and audience engagement. In this way, we are creating more and more incentives for locals to appreciate our abundant local heritage both from an early age with the student passport, and also for our senior citizens through the senior passport.
As a government, we are committed to keep increasing accessibility for cultural and artistic events and initiatives by making the sector more available to our community, in a manner that is easier to get to.
By means of such initiatives Heritage Malta is changing its vision and mission by shifting its focus from the conservation of the Maltese heritage to ensuring accessibility. Such initiatives notably open the doors of local historical sites to the Maltese people.
Heritage Malta is also boosting the student passport with further opportunities during the summer holidays. From July to September, students aged between 5 and 15, can choose to attend several exciting activities that include comic art creation, drawing sessions, English creative writing and storytelling.
Activities are against a €5 donation, however students who have collected all the stamps of Heritage Malta’s attractions can attend free of charge. Tickets can be bought from all Heritage Malta’s sites and museums upon presentation of the student passport. The first activities will commence tomorrow, Saturday, 13th July.
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The Malta International Arts Festival is nearing its final events. It was a splendid and spectacular festival, with various events for all tastes.
On Wednesday I attended the event called '8 Winds' (Minn taħt L-ilsien) - a concept album by Dr Zicotron, and premiered at the Malta International Arts Festival 2019. It features collaborations with guitarist Glen Montanaro, sound designer Aleks Bundalo and dance choreographer Lynne Salomone Reynaud (Dance Hub Malta).
What a show! Actually it was a double-bill programme at Marsaxlokk followed by a performance at Marsaskala. The audiences at both venues were stunned by this amazing spectacle set on a Turkish gullet which acted as a floating stage.
I thank all the local and international artists participating in this year’s festival which made it a memorable one.
I look forward to the remaining events Berberio at the Valletta Campus this evening and Aquasonic at Il-Foss also in Valletta on Saturday evening.
This festival also reflects our commitment to make arts and culture accessible to all and also to give our local talent the opportunity to showcase their talent on the same level with their international counterparts.