The restoration of monuments dedicated to nine persons who during their lives contributed so much to Malta’s history, is part of increased efforts to protect our heritage, Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said.
Speaking during the launch of the ‘Project for the Conservation of Maglio Gardens Monuments’ in Floriana, organised by Din l-Art Ħelwa and FIMBank, Dr de Marco said these people are and will remain ‘shining examples’.
He referred to the monument of Sir Ugo Mifsud, who suffered a heart attack while delivering an impassioned speech against the British Government’s intention to deport several Maltese citizens.
The other monuments, all by some of Malta’s finest sculptors, commemorate Aloisio Pisani, Sir Luigi Preziosi, Marquis Josepho Scicluna, Sir Hannibal Scicluna, Filippo Sciberras, Marquis Vincenzo Bugeja, Sir Adrian Dingli and Giovanni Di Nicolo Pappaffy.
Furthermore the Mall, which was built by Grand Master Lascaris, had the function of a recreation area then, something which is evermore important today, when urban development has become what it is.
Dr de Marco said this project was a case in point of a non-governmental organisation and a bank working together, for a common cause.
Fimbank President, Margrith Lutshg-Emmennegger, said Fimbank has been in Malta for over 16 years and would like to give something back to Malta and to the community, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme.
Just last year Fimbank had sponsored the refurbishment of the Great Siege monument in Valletta, which Ms Lutshg-Emmennegger said was done excellently.
“We want to spread the word about Malta’s culture and history,” she said, adding that in this case they picked the monuments of nine personalities who all contributed to Malta’s social development.
Dr de Marco pointed out that tourism is extremely important for Malta, with around 1.3 million tourists per year, around 37% of which come for history and culture.
James Licari, part of the Heritage Resco team together with Ingrid Ross and Frank Chetcuti, who are carrying out the necessary historical research and the restoration works, explained how they have found that the gardens were originally built as a recreational area for the knights.
The monuments have unfortunately sustained considerable damage through the years, ranging from corrosion, black crust and bird droppings to graffiti, chipping and vandalism.
“It must be stressed that conservation, without maintenance, may be futile in regard to preserving the monuments for future generations, since as the saying goes ‘prevention is better than cure,’” he said.
Floriana Mayor Nigel Holland said he was very pleased at the news that there was to be a project to restore these important figures of Maltese history.
Over recent years the council has worked to change the perception of Floriana, from a place known only for St Anne Street and the granaries, to a place which has so much more to offer, including the gardens and various monuments.