Yesterday, Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment, visited the National Archives’ repository at Mdina.  During this visit, Mr Frans Said and Mr Paul Cilia donated a number of records to the National Archives.

Mr Said donated a collection of 2121 fables that he has collected over a number of years, from 22 different sources, and that he translated into Maltese from 9 different languages.  Over the last years, Mr Said has donated other records to the National Archives of Malta.

Mr Paul Cilia donated a collection of photos and other records related to his brother’s, Joe Cilia who was also present for the donation, career as a football player and coach in Malta and Australia between 1953 and 1996.

During the visit, Minister Bartolo was shown the works being undertaken for the digitisation of the Maltese Courts records of the French period (1798-1800) that is being undertaken with the collaboration of Hill Museum and Manuscript Library of Minnesota (USA).  He met Dr Daniel Gullo, Curator of the Malta Study Centre.

Mr Charles Farrugia, the National Archivist, explained to the Minister how these donations will fit into and enrich the National Memory Project as well as the plans for further co-operation between the National Archives and Hill Monastery Museum.

After thanking Mr Cilia and Mr Said for their donation and congratulating the National Archives, Minister Bartolo confirmed Government’s commitment to this sector. “A country that lacks memory is a country without a soul and without a future.  Government is committed in favour of the preservation of Malta’s and the Maltese people’s collective memory,” explained Minister Bartolo.