List of Contents 1. The Chairperson’s Statement 3 2. The CEO’s Statement 4 3. Mission Statement 5 4. Board of Directors and Management Team 6 5. Strategic Objectives 2004-2005 7 6. Safeguarding Óa©ar Qim and Mnajdra 10 7. The Re-Opening of the Domvs Romana 11 8. Consolidating our Corporate Identity through sound HR Policies 13 9. Capital and Rehabilitation and Maintenance Works 15 10. Events and Exhibitions 21 11. Research, Conservation and Collections 27 12. EU and other International Projects 38 13. Heritage Malta Services Limited Activities 42 14. Heritage Malta Conservation Division 44 Appendices I HM Diary of Events 2004-2005 54 II Visitor Statistics 70 List of Abbreviations MCR Malta Centre for Restoration CRPMO Conservation and Restoration Projects Management Office EU European Union HM Heritage Malta ICMCH Institute of Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage MEPA Malta Environment and Planning Authority MMM Malta Maritime Museum MTA Malta Tourism Authority MTAC Ministry of Tourism and Culture NMA National Museum of Archaeology NMFA National Museum of Fine Arts NMNH National Museum of Natural History SCH Superintendence for Cultural Heritage UCL University College of London UOM University of Malta The Chairperson’s Statement As can be seen from the contents of this Report, this year, once again, has been one marked by an incessant rhythm of activity. Dynamism alone is no sure formula for success; it has to be focused, creative, innovative and inspired by an over-arching vision. We believe that we have this spirit in Heritage Malta. Our fundamental mission remains that of giving a This year, Heritage Malta was entrusted with the future to our past. Together with other organisations, absorption of the Malta Centre for Restoration at we have spotlighted cultural heritage in the popular Bighi, following an amendment of the cultural imagination by means of exhibitions, lectures, heritage act 2002. This was a taxing task and it is tours, seminars, publications and press coverage. now complete. Heritage Malta intends to sustain Heritage, unlike its status a few years ago, is no and develop its conservation division as a place more a Cinderella in the national agenda; people talk of excellence. We intend to invest in technology, about it, it features prominently in national budgets expertise and provide our national collections with on- Heritage Malta Annual Report 2004‐2005 and vandalism on heritage sites evinces universal going conservation services vitally needed. Bighi will outrage. also, following the imminent signing of an agreement with the University, provide professional training for The role of Heritage Malta in projecting the conservators and conservation scientists. credibility of our country abroad can be seen by the enviable success of two exhibitions over the period This year demanded patience, persistence and of winter 2004 – spring 2005; Monaci in Armi at flexibility to re-organise the management structure Castel Sant’ Angelo in Rome (which drew 200,000 of Heritage Malta. This was done not only to have visitors) and Malta Temples and Tombs at the a logical mechanism but also to provide long-term Allard Pierson University Museum in Amsterdam, scope for development of human resources on whom, visited by 25,000 people. The role of heritage in after all, the ultimate success of an organization promoting tourism in general, and cultural tourism depends. We firmly believe that the integration of in particular, is obvious. This year, our sites were an over-all strategy, staff professional development, visited by about one and a quarter million visitors. sound financial management, promotion of academic There is now no gainsaying about the economic and scientific practices, creative thinking and utter potential of heritage and therefore the necessity of commitment to the national value of Heritage will investment in heritage. render Heritage Malta worthy of the public trust invested n it. Heritage Malta is engaged in a number of capital projects, apart from routine maintenance and Lastly, I would like to thank publicly the Board refurbishment in practically all our sites. This year of Heritage Malta, the Chief Executive Officer, we opened the Domus Romana to public and critical Antoinette Caruana, the Curators, Managers and acclaim; we are working hard on a rather massive all the staff of Heritage Malta for their commitment project, partly funded by the European regional and selfless dedication. We have yet more to do development fund, at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra to together. conserve, rehabilitate and resent this unique site; we have carried out the first total temple laser scanning f Ìgantija, which will also soon have a temporary visitors’ centre’. In this respect, we signed, this year, a sponsorship agreement with International Vodafone Group Foundation for a donation of 202,000. In the last budget, the government dedicated Lm100,000 specifically for Ìgantija. Mario Tabone The CEO’s Statement There is no doubt that this year has been a memorable one for Heritage Malta. It has proved to be a year of many new beginnings and exciting projects. Foremost among these has been the absorption of the previous Malta Centre of Restoration within Heritage Malta’s remit following the announcement by the Prime Minister during the budget speech of 24 November 2004. This was the start of a challenging process of integration, which is the Óa©ar Qim and Mnajdra Structural Fund negotiation and discussion aimed at ensuring more Project, is also encouraging. We have also succeeded in synergy for the benefit of Malta’s cultural heritage as well exceeding our objective tied to admissions and raised over as an organisation that will, in time, be able to provide LM1,100,000 towards our budgets and various projects. more satisfaction and a rewarding environment, to its employees. Indeed this is proving to be a time of looking This year has not been without its challenges. We continue at new systems to help us deliver improvements to the to raise awareness among all stakeholders about the Heritage Malta Annual Report 2004‐2005 way we work. importance of investing in our heritage. We welcome the recognition of heritage as one of Malta’s importance It is undoubtedly the case that such a sensitive process will niches with respect to tourism, and the always increasing present a fair amount of challenges and leave a number collaboration between tourism and culture. There is no of scars. However, I am confident that we have emerged doubt that our heritage is a vital part of the social glue a strong organisation as a result of this process. This is that bins us together as a nation and it brings so many an agency that will continue to evolve and build on the other benefits with it – developing skills, creating new foundations that have been built on firm ground. As part careers, and promoting a better quality of life. We have of the restructuring that we have undergone while not sought to promote conservation within our museums, sites quite yet into the third year of operation, Heritage Malta and our collections while increasing access. Yet we must has consolidated its organisation structure and formed its also continue to focus on ensuring financial sustainability senior management team. This team represents the key and making sure that our new agency runs as efficiently roles of Heritage Malta – its curatorial role, conservation and effectively as possible. We need hard-work, tough role, academic and vocational studies, visitors’ services visionaries and the enthusiasm, support and investment as well as finance and business development. A strong necessary to ensure we achieve our objectives on an team of professionals and experts in various areas supports ongoing basis. this senior management team. The new Heritage Malta today has around 300 staff members who are increasingly We hope that this annual report not only provides an committed to its enhanced vision for the benefit of Malta’s account of our work for the past year, but that it will also cultural heritage and its enjoyment by current as well as prove beneficial to interested parties and researchers. future generations. The amazing can-do attitude of our staff is much appreciated. I add my thanks to that of the Chairman for all the support received from the Ministry, our board, our staff and all our As I read through this annual report, I am overwhelmed. different stakeholders. All this is possible because of your Despite the obvious challenges of the absorption process commitment and encouragement. that has taken much of our energies and time, so much more has been achieved. The following pages bear witness to this. Due acknowledgement must go to the entire staff of the new Heritage Malta agency and all our stakeholders who support and encourage us along our mission. Foremost among our achievements is the inauguration of the Domvs Romana at the end of February 2005 as well as the various Heritage Malta events and activities aimed at raising further Antoinette Caruana awareness about Malta’s heritage, encouraging debate and Chief Executive interest. Our involvement in EU projects, notable among Mission Statement Heritage Malta Annual Report 2004‐2005 Board of Directors and Management Team Dr. Mario Tabone Chairperson Ms. Simone Mizzi Deputy Chairperson Rev. Mons. John Azzopardi Prof. Anthony Bonanno Dr. Ray Bondin Ms. Cynthia Degiorgio* Mr. Mario Farrugia Mr. John Cremona Prof. Alfred Vella ** *Ms. Degiorgio replaced Mr. Leslie Vella as Director in August 2005. ** Prof. Vella replaced Mr. Joe Schiro in March 2005 Heritage Malta Annual Report 2004‐2005 Management Team Ms. Antoinette Caruana Chief Executive Dr. Martina Caruana Head Academic and Vocational Courses Mr. Mario Cutajar Head Visitor Services and Human Resources Mr. Kenneth Gambin Head Curator Mr. Pierre Sammut Head Finance and Business Development Mr.