In a news conference with the theme “Malta, Certainty and Stability”, the Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici stressed that in the Budget for next year, the government will invest more than sixty million euros to strengthen the artistic and cultural sector of the country, with an emphasis on more projects where families can enjoy new spaces linked to the cultural heritage of the country.
In the Valletta Design Cluster, a regenerated building for families, Minister Bonnici stressed that more historic buildings will be rehabilitated. “It is necessary to keep improving the sustainability of our country’s historical heritage while making it more accessible to the public”, stressed Minister Bonnici while also talking about the need for more recreational spaces for families.
Among others, next year the galleries and the sculpture garden of the space for contemporary art of Malta in the area of the San Salvatur ramparts in Floriana are expected to be completed so that the people will have four acres of land in open spaces. This is apart from twenty-five other restoration projects planned in the country for 2023, with a capital expenditure of €3.35 million. This investment in the historical heritage through restoration includes work on the Cottonera lines, the last phase of restoration on the Victoria Lines, restoration in the Jesuit Church in the City, work on the in front of the Church of Gieżu in the City, and restoration of the Chapel of the Annunciation in the limits of Siġġiewi. Minister Bonnici also referred to the restoration in the Grand Master’s Palace and on Villa Guardamangia, for which the necessary permits have been issued by the Planning Authority.
Minister Bonnici relaunched the Culture Pass where through this program students are being offered a cultural and artistic experience while professionals are being incentivized to create and developing works for a young audience as well as adding cultural programs to the students’ curriculum. Over the last five years 171 productions have been staged and shown to around 156,000 students.
Regarding national broadcasting, Minister Owen Bonnici greeted all the workers of the Public Broadcasting Services on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of television broadcasting, and praised the ongoing work to modernize it.
Minister Bonnici claimed that during the next year the platforms of the cultural and creative sector will be strengthened. “We have the mission of continuing to expose the local creative and cultural industries on the international platform. For the first time in the history of our country, Malta will take part in the London Design Biennale to serve as a showcase for the artistic and creative sector and field of our country, while the work for Malta’s participation at the Venice Biennale for the next edition of 2024 will continue”, said Minister Bonnici. He stressed that in the same way the government will continue to recognize the role of volunteering in musical societies and associations linked to festivals in Maltese and Gozitan towns and villages and will continue to be there for them.
He also spoke about the cultural investment in Valletta and explained that this will continue through an allocation of €3.6 million with events such as operas, environmental and gastronomic festivals, artistic installations, and other activities that appeal to the tastes of ‘ everybody. With an allocation of €5 million, the production of a calendar of festivals in different genres will continue to enhance quality while leaving a strong legacy through the creation of new opportunities for artists and the -our creative. Minister Bonnici stressed that when one is taking care of art and culture, he is taking care of the soul of an entire country.
“We are a government that has not stopped working in the interest of art, culture, and the protection of our national heritage. I am convinced that with this work we are doing we will continue to strengthen this sector and give more opportunities to artists”, concluded Minister Bonnici.
