Dr Zammit Dimech was opening a seminar entitled The role and training of the conservator in Malta. He said that Malta was a country with more than 7,000 years of history. “Our history is older than the time of the pyramids or Stonehenge. We have a fantastic heritage, especially when we consider the small scale of our islands,” he said.

All the cultures of North Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Europe had left their mark on the Maltese Islands.

“Our country is a living museum of temples, fortified cities, auberges, palaces, churches and many other monuments,” he said, but pointed out that, in previous years, Malta had neglected its heritage. “However, in more recent times we have realised the riches we have around us and we want to look after them because our culture distinguishes us from others and makes us Maltese,” he said.

Over the past 15 years, said Dr Zammit Dimech, government had created an infrastructure to protect our heritage through restoration, prevention and rehabilitation. He also pointed out that there were three rehabilitation projects: for Valletta and Floriana, Mdina and Cottonera.

In addition, he said that the Restoration Unit had also been set up and government had also implemented a system whereby old buildings involved in capital urban projects must be restored as part of the project.

He said government had also embarked on various capital projects including the restoration of St James’ Cavalier, the Mediterranean Conference Centre and the Auberge d’ Italie – three projects that had involved investment of close to Lm9

million.

The Malta Centre for Restoration was opened five years ago after agreement between the University of Malta and the Education Ministry. The centre serves as the national agency responsible for conservation and restoration of heritage pieces. In addition, said Dr Zammit Dimech, the centre trained people in the art of conservation and restoration.