FWA launches 'Hands On Heritage Project'

As part of its ongoing commitment to increase appreciation of the nation's cultural heritage, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (FWA) is organising a new venture entitled "Hands-on-Heritage Project".

This project is aimed at providing young students with an innovative way of learning more about heritage, through direct interactive activities different from those usually employed in the classroom - 4,000 students attending Skola Sajf are set to benefit from this scheme over a period of ten weeks. This was made possible through an agreement reached with the Education Division and the financial support of the Bank of Valletta plc.

The project was launched last Friday week during an official visit to the Kordin III megalithic site by Education Minister Louis Galea, Shadow Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, Igino Xuereb, chief officer retail banking of BoV, and Mario Farrugia, FWA executive director.

Mr Xuereb presented Mr Farrugia with the bank's sponsorship towards this initiative. Mr Xuereb said that BoV was keen to be associated with this project for two main reasons - the project had both an educational as well as a cultural dimension and also adopted a practical and innovative approach towards learning and self-development.

Each of the activities involved in this project is designed to acquaint the student not just with the respective monument where any of these sessions may be held but also to serve as an introduction to subjects and themes related to the original daily use of the site. In this way FWA hopes to project in a more colourful and lively dimension locations which at times can be drab and indiscernible historical sites.

During a typical four-hour session, a student is offered the opportunity to try and learn some of the patterns of life, crafts and skills of the original builders or occupiers of the individual buildings.

For example, at Kordin III megalithic site, students are thought how to make ancient pottery ware using original skills. At Fort Rinella they are introduced to similar aspects of late 19th century military life. They are also introduced to elementary basics in archaeology, mapping and heritage audits of historic buildings and sites.

So far, only two of the current 14 heritage sites directly managed by FWA are being used in this scheme, namely Kordin III megalithic temple at Paola and Fort Rinella in Kalkara. However, FWA plans to introduce a similar service at all of its other sites in due time.

FWA is grateful for the support it has received for this project from the Ministry of Education, the Museums Department and the Bank of Valletta plc.