A new immersive exhibition was inaugurated at the Maritime Museum in Birgu, which shows the great connection that our country has with the sea. This exhibition is being staged at the end of the first phase of the restoration project being carried out in the Maritime Museum, which project is co-financed by Norwegian funds.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection Chris Fearne praised the way in which the rich history of our country, which found in every Maltese town and village, it is being preserved even through European funds and Norwegian funds, as was the case of the Maritime Museum. He reiterated that the Government is committed to continue using European funds wisely, in order to continue to give life to the cultural heritage of our country. Among others, he mentioned the ongoing discussions regarding the restoration works of Villa Guardamangia, another cultural project that will be carried out with the help of European funds.
Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici said that the Maritime Museum is a very important site for our country and congratulated Heritage Malta who are implementing this project. He also spoke about the artifacts that are being exhibited in the exhibition which vary from different paintings, including what is believed to be the oldest one that we know of in our country that shows the Battle of Lepanto, to ancient instruments for -sea travel.
The minister recalled that the Maritime Museum closed its doors in 2020 so that a most ambitious restoration project could begin. “The first phase of the works, with an investment of €2 million, included the regeneration of the parts that most needed restoration in the building and the establishment of the Digitization Section within Heritage Malta,” explained Minister Bonnici, while thanking all the workers who were involved in this project.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli said, “The restoration work on historical places is not only about the preservation of old buildings, but it is a way of honoring the historical past of our island, enriching the present and building a sustainable future for future generations. This investment on this museum will continue to increase and strengthen the touristic and economic sector of Birgu and its surroundings”.
The parliamentary secretary added by appealing to the public to visit the museum and the exhibition so as to continue increasing the knowledge on the cultural heritage of our country.
Present for this inauguration was also an official delegation responsible for the EEA Norway Grants. In her speech, the Deputy Director of the Section for EEA Grants and Central Europe, Torill Johansen, emphasized that Norway is proud to have contributed to this project managed by Heritage Malta where the historical heritage will continues to reach the public. She mentioned that the maritime and coastal heritage is an integral part of the cultural identity framework of our country and Norway and both countries are committed to protect this heritage and see it enjoyed by the generations to come.
The CEO of Heritage Malta, Noel Zammit, expressed satisfaction that through funds from the EEA Norway Grants and national funds it will be possible to complete this project successfully. He mentioned that once the project is completed, the Maritime Museum will offer the visitor an unforgettable experience including the most modern technology.
Work is also underway on the second phase of the project, which includes the restoration, modernization and design of the rest of the spaces in the museum.
From February 9, the Maritime Museum will be open every day, apart from Tuesday, from 9.00am to 5.00pm during February, and from 10.00am to 6.00pm between March and December. The museum is also accessible to people using a wheelchair. For more information you can visit: https://maltamaritimemuseum.mt/
