‘Hands on Heritage’ 2014 was launched today at Fort Rinella by Mario Farugia, Chief Executive Officer of Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and Michael Galea, Chief Officer Operations at Bank of Valletta.

The Hands on Heritage Programme 2014 will run between June and September 2014 and will see over 300 school children participate in this engaging programme. This is the 17th year in which this programme is being organised thanks to the collaboration between Bank of Valletta and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna.

‘Handling tools and weapons from different eras, trying out armour and equipment and walking in the footsteps of the military of the time are some of the ways school-children experience the past through the ‘Hands on Heritage’ Programme,’ said Mario Farrugia.

‘Although safe-guarding our historical treasures and sites is of the utmost importance, it is of equal or higher importance to instill a love for our past in our younger generations, to ensure that they will treasure our past and continue in our footsteps for the next generations’ continued Mr. Farrugia. ‘Venturing into the turbulent life of War-time Malta, experience living in air-raid shelters, while trying to lead a normal life through rationing and air-raids is indeed a unique and unforgettable experience for our students,’ concluded Mr. Farrugia.

In a short address, Mr. Galea said that Bank of Valletta was delighted to collaborate with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna on this programme that provided a unique opportunity for school children to have a hands on experience of Malta’s rich heritage. “Hands on Heritage seeks to go beyond the traditional ways by which our children get exposed to Malta’s rich history. This programme seeks to provide a more holistic and enriching approach by enabling the children to actually evidence, at first hand, some of the historical aspects linked to various periods of Malta’s rich history,’ said Mr. Galea.

‘Bank of Valletta is Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna’s main partner through a collaboration that goes back a number of years promoting various events and restoration projects annually’ continued Mr Galea.

Further information about the programme can be obtained through the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna website at www.wirtartna.org.