HERITAGE MALTA (HM) ANNUAL REPORT 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword 5 Capital Works 6 Exhibitions and Events 19 Collections and Research 23 Conservation 54 Education, Publications and Outreach 64 Other Corporate 69 Visitor Statistics 75 Appendix 1 – Calendar of Events 88 Appendix 2 – Purchase of Modern and Contemporary Artworks 98 Appendix 3 – Acquisition of Natural History Specimens 100 Appendix 4 – Purchase of Items for Gozo Museum 105 Appendix 5 – Acquisition of Cultural Heritage Items 106 Foreword 2020 has been a memorable year. For all the wrong reasons, some might argue. And they could be right on several levels. However, the year that has tested the soundness and solidity of cultural heritage institutions worldwide, has also proved to be an eye-opener and a valuable teacher, highlighting a wealth of resourcefulness that we might have otherwise remained unaware of. The COVID-19 pandemic was a direct challenge to Heritage Malta’s mission of accessibility, forcing the agency first to close its doors entirely to the public and later to restrict admissions and opening hours. However, the agency was proactive and foresighted enough to be able to adapt to its new scenario. We found ourselves in a situation where cultural heritage had to visit the public, and not vice versa. We were able to achieve this thanks to our continuous investment in technology and digitisation, which enabled us to make our heritage accessible to the public virtually. In this way, we facilitated alternative access to our sites while also launching our online shop, making it possible for our clients to buy the products usually found at our retail outlets in sites and museums. The months of complete closure did not go to waste, as Heritage Malta seized the opportunity to boost works on several major projects with renewed impetus and vigour. The ongoing restoration of the Grand Master’s Palace, the ambitious Maritime Museum project, the acquisition of Villa Guardamangia, the extensive restoration of the Main Guard in Valletta, the works at Għar Dalam and the Inquisitor’s Palace, are just a few of the challenges that saw Heritage Malta rising superbly to the occasion. All employees contributed to the upkeep of our museums and sites during the “lockdown” months. Thanks to this effort, the quality of the visitor experience in all our locations has drastically improved. In the meantime, we have also kept the renovation of our internal structure constantly ongoing, by reinventing ourselves and challenging the status quo in order to always remain at the forefront of our market. In spite of the past year’s setbacks – or possibly because of them – optimism and determination reign supreme within our agency. We are aware of our strengths more than ever before, equipped with the precious lessons garnered from the pandemic’s experience, more resilient and more open to new ideas so that we are well-prepared for future hurdles. We have a very busy year ahead of us, during which we shall continue to fulfil our mission of making history and culture accessible to the public and ensuring a future for our past while placing our clients at the very centre of all our operations and providing them with an ever- enhanced sustainable experience. Noel Zammit CEO 1. CAPITAL WORKS Cottonera Region Following the approval of the Cottonera Strategy prepared by the Agency, following the issuance of the vision for the area by the central government, the Agency prioritized the various aspects of the vision and started to establish a way forward in its implementation. Mainly, a proposal for an ERDF project, for the 2021-2027 funds, was drawn up to include three elements: 1. The Three Cities Experience 2. The People’s Museum 3. Accessibility strategy at the Inquisitor’s Palace The visitor centre, as part of the Three Cities Experience, and a People’s Museum shall be located at the Birgu Old Armoury, which has just been transferred to the Agency. On the other hand, the project at the Malta Maritime Museum, after the completion of the phases funded via the EEA mechanism, shall be implemented via local funds. The museum was closed in March in view of the planned restoration and construction works. During the year under review, works on the restoration of the back facade of the museum were completed and the restoration works on all the external timber apertures are progressing as per programme of works and should be completed in 2021. A newly discovered underground tunnel was cleaned, documented and explored. Furthermore, as part of the restoration of the building, a planning application was submitted for the reinstatement of parts of the original yards and terrace along St Lawrence Street, which were backfilled in the 1950s. Apart from providing access to the Naval Bakery from St Lawrence Street and reinstating the back façade configuration, this intervention shall also address the humidity and structural issues affecting the rear area of the building due to water infiltration. Preparatory works are also underway to commence with the restoration of the internal fabric of the ground floor spaces and clock tower, that do not form part of the EEA project. The Anadrian hall at ground floor was repainted. At the Inquisitor’s Palace, a detailed survey of all the building was prepared, this included also the underground wells and cisterns. Besides documenting this palace, the survey will be used in order to find the best means how to improve the accessibility within this building without impacting negatively on its historical fabric. These proposals are currently being drawn up. It is in this light that the two cisterns in the garden were emptied. The first dry shaft-like well, along the passageway overlooking the main elevation wall in the garden, proved to be a surprising 10 metre-shaft, with some very interesting finds and undisturbed layers dating as back as the late 16th /early 17th century. The second cistern to be emptied was the large well at the centre of the garden. This was emptied from water, debris and mid-20th century trash, with the help of a third- party contractor. All works were monitored by archaeologist Nathaniel Cutajar who also analysed and documented the excavation and finds. Major works undertaken included the restoration of the back façade along Pope Alexander VII street. This elevation wall was sub-divided into three phases, with phases 1 and 2 now complete and phase 3 planned for 2021. The works included structural consolidation, stone replacement and plastic repair of the masonry fabric, as well as cleaning of the surface, raking out and re- pointing of joints. The asbestos drainage pipework leading to the second-floor sanitary facility along the Pannellini quarters were replaced, and new upgraded facilities are being designed. Masonry restoration works were also carried out in other areas of the Palace, mainly in the kitchen, while paving works were carried out in prison cells area and deffun repairs carried out as required. The armoured cable from the main switch boards beneath the main staircase along the prison corridor leading to the scale segrete was removed and rerouted beneath the flooring. This proved to be a good opportunity to reinstate flooring and level the entire corridor using the same flagstones, making it safer and much more accessible. This will have to spill into next year, as the redundant switchboard adjacent to the Tourist Information Office next to the scale segrete will now need replacement as per the new disposition. This will in turn allow for the restoration of masonry work in this area. A lot of energy was invested in upgrading the sacristy and the adjoining small passageway leading to the Ruffo apartments along the piano nobile. This included replacing of the old metal electrical circuits, masonry repairs, pointing, treatment of the old wooden beams and general repainting. The most was made from the days the museum was closed to visitors. Works included finishing off the repainting programme for the museum shop furniture and plastering and repainting of walls in the same, upgrading of the IT infrastructure in the Tourist Information Office, painting and repairs of windows, doors and the metal stair and guard rails in the prison yard. One major milestone was the finalization and installation of the first phase of the reconstruction of the furniture of the Cancelleria, based on historic documentation and site information. Work at the Cancelleria also included the restoration of the wall paintings/decoration as an integral part of the room furnishing. This is a long-term project which shall continue in the coming years. At Fort St Angelo, apart from the continuous regular maintenance as per established maintenance plan/schedules, the works focused on upgrading/repairing the waterproofing system (including downpipes), including the deffun on the various roof areas and repairs to the staircase leading up to the Cavalier platform. The relocation of SMOM’s electricity cable from the fort’s sub-station, thus removing the cable presently attached to the rampart walls, has also been completed. Minor restoration works were also undertaken in St Anne’s Chapel. Valletta Region A number of internal working groups were set-up to plan the various projects forming part of the Valletta Vision that the agency prepared for all its sites in Valletta, approved in 2019, in view of securing the required funding. The core teams focused on four identified sites, including the Auberge de Provence (National Museum of Archaeology), the Main Guard, the complex at Biagio steps (presently the Fortress Interpretation Centre), and the underground spaces to be opened to the public. These plans are to be finalized by January 2021 to form the basis of a circa €40million ERDF project proposal.