The National Museum of Archaeology today provided the perfect setting for the launch of Malta’s World Heritage Sites 360°. The new publication, supported by HSBC Cares For Malta’s Heritage Fund, is the first to showcase all of Malta’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites together.
The launch of the new book was coupled with the opening of a special exhibition taking place at the museum.
The exhibition, featuring impressive images taken from the book, was opened by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi together with HSBC Bank Chief Executive, Michael Geoghegan and Miranda Publishers’ Eddie Aquilina.
“The list of historic sites in these islands, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Valletta and the Neolithic Temples, seems to be almost endless. I am well aware that HSBC Malta, through its Cares For Malta’s Heritage Fund, is already working to help this country look after these treasures,” said Mr Geoghegan
“Now through the fund’s substantial support towards this new publication, the latest in the renowned 360 degrees series, the bank is once again contributing to increasing knowledge and awareness about Malta across Europe and beyond. Books such as these serve to attract more visitors and therefore more revenue for this country, which then can be invested in the sites themselves,” said Mr Geoghegan.
Among the images included in the exhibition at the Museum of Archaeology, entrance for which is free, are two measuring seven and nine metres in length depicting the temples at Mnajdra and the Hypogeum. Also included is an impressive aerial image of Valletta. The exhibition will remain open for the next two weeks, until 14 July.
“The quality of the 360 Degrees Series is well known. The impressive imagery they contain really does bring out the beauty and history of our islands in a way that is difficult to match.
This latest publication, focusing on our World Heritage Sites, some of which date back more than 5,000 years, is another feather in the cap for Miranda Publications. In its brief history the HSBC Cares For Malta’s Heritage Fund, has already proved its determination to help this country protect its many treasures and I have no doubt that the fund’s support for this publication is the first of many excellent initiatives, said the prime minister.
With the publication of Malta’s World Heritage Sites 360°, Miranda’s series now contains eight publications. The first, Malta 360°, published in 1989 has been followed by Malta 360º by Night, Gozo 360º, London 360º, Underground Malta 360º (volume 1), and in 2005, Welcome Malta to Europe 360º. In November 2005, the second volume of Underground Malta 360º was launched.
“Malta boasts an impressive list of world heritage sites. It is something we should be proud of and something we should shout out about to the rest of the world. Producing the books in the 360 degrees series is certainly a costly business but in this case, thanks to the excellent support we have received from HSBC Cares For Malta’s Heritage Fund, the process has been made a lot easier. I hope that the book will indeed play a role in raising awareness about Malta’s heritage internationally and that all those who purchase the book enjoy it,” said Mr Aquilina.
The Malta’s World Heritage Sites 360° exhibition taking place at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta is open to the public from Monday to Sunday between 9am and 5pm.