The restoration project of the organ of the Basilica of Gharb was inaugurated with an investment of around € 121,000 with co-financing of 80% from European Union funds. The project was inaugurated by Archpriest Mons. Trevor Sultana and Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi. Present for the inauguration was also the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri.
Through this restoration project carried out on the organ dating back to 1910, it will be able to be enjoyed again by Maltese, Gozitans and tourists who visit and attend functions in this area. the basilica. This restoration work was carried out through work carried out by the Diocese of Gozo through the KURA Association.
The Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said that it is gratifying for him to see such a legacy of this 1910 organ preserved. “The fact that € 97,000 from the Gharb organ restoration project was funded by European funds shows how what Malta has managed to acquire in recent years from the European Union is really being enjoyed by the Maltese and Gozitan citizen. This time for the organ that forms a large part of the rich history of the basilica and the very picturesque village of Gharb “, said the minister.
While thanking Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi for the importance he attaches to such projects on the island of Gozo, he also thanked all the volunteers who offer their time for this village and reiterated his commitment to more help.
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said the restoration carried out at the Gharb Basilica is part of a much larger project. Through this investment, the KURA Association is carrying out a number of interventions to be able to further improve the cultural portfolio offered to tourists who come to visit the island of Gozo.
Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi concluded that, “Thanks to these European funds, we are continuing to preserve and promote the cultural heritage we have in our country so that it can be enjoyed by future generations.”
Project Manager Noel Formosa, on behalf of the Care Association within the Diocese of Gozo, expressed satisfaction that this project which is being inaugurated is another project from a series of EU co-financed projects being carried out in several Gozitan parishes. With this restoration project of the main organ of the Basilica of the Visitation in Gharb Gozo, we are guaranteeing that what we have left before us will not only be able to be enjoyed by us but will be passed on to our successors for following generations.
Thanks to European funds we are giving a chance for important projects to be professionally restored. He said that it was gratifying for us to see that through these funds we would be an opportunity for Europe to get closer to its citizens and be able to reap the benefits.
A collection of artifacts dating back to the 18th century by renowned artists from the Bottega by Mattia Preti and Gian Nicola Buhagiar will also be restored in the Gharb Basilica. This restoration will also be funded by European funds.
