Editorial

Judge Maurice Caruana Curran has been given the highest award by Europa Nostra for a lifetime achievement in the area of European cultural heritage. The award bestows well-deserved honour on Judge Caruana Curran and on Malta itself.

The European Union/Europa Nostra Cultural Heritage Award was given to Judge Caruana Curran "for his unwavering commitment to the ideals of conservation, for his ability to speak fearlessly for heritage and for his unflinching spirit of volunteer-ship".

The citation highlights Judge Caruana Curran's dedication over a period of 40 years to upholding the cause of cultural heritage in Malta. He is considered by all in Malta to be the pioneer and pillar of the national conservation movement, responsible in 1965 for founding Malta's national trust, Din l-Art Helwa, the voluntary, non-governmental organisation to assist the state in the conservation of environmental and cultural heritage.

In the citation's own words: "He succeeded in arousing the awareness of the public and of the government to the importance of Malta's extraordinary heritage, lobbying against the misuse of land, the destruction of traditional architecture, the effects of the increase in tourism and development, for improved legislation and for the listing of buildings.

"He toiled tirelessly to find volunteers, rally membership, raise funds and campaign on issues. Judge Maurice Caruana Curran organised conferences, lectures and educational initiatives, furthered international contacts, studied international legislation and wrote endless letters to the press."

He did all this entirely voluntarily in addition to his commitments to a long, full-time career as a distinguished lawyer and judge, then as president of the Medical Council of Malta and Chancellor of the University of Malta.

The European Heritage Award Scheme was launched by the European Commission three years ago.

Europa Nostra, the pan-European federation for heritage, of which Din l-Art Helwa was a very early member, is the representative platform of over 200 non-governmental organisations throughout Europe. It is the crucial voice of the vast movement in European civil society active in the area of cultural heritage.

Europa Nostra is dedicated to placing heritage and its benefits in the mainstream of public consciousness and to making heritage a priority for public policies both at the European and the national level. It encourages exemplary initiatives and outstanding personal endeavour in favour of cultural heritage conservation by recognising publicly outstanding heritage achievements and by promoting, at a European level, high standards of quality in conservation, architecture, urban and rural planning and a balanced and sustainable development of the built and natural environment.

It is, therefore, a signal honour for Malta as a new member of the European Union that Judge Caruana Curran should be singled out for this distinguished award. Now 87 years old, Judge Caruana Curran has been a true son of Malta who has dedicated the last 40 years to upholding the cause of cultural heritage in Malta.

He was the inspiration for Din l-Art Helwa and its leader, mentor and advocate. His commitment to Malta's heritage - and, thus, to European cultural heritage as well - has been total and overriding.