Heritage 'yet to be seen' as major community asset

Developing a comprehensive inventory of underwater sites and other cultural assets is one of the priorities highlighted in the State of the Heritage Report.

The inventory of these submerged treasures would be an essential tool in protecting these sites and allow for better policing, as well as to provide the authorities with the data to plan protective measures.

The report was compiled by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and presented to Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.

"This report is an important stocktaking of the situation, which confirms our island's rich heritage. It makes us more conscious of our duties towards our heritage, which we administer on behalf of mankind and future generations," Dr Zammit Dimech said when contacted.

It picks up where the first report left off in 2003 and includes sections on defining and managing Malta's cultural heritage; social and economic aspects; education, research and outreach; and issues and opportunities.

The report points out that the drafting of the National Strategy for Cultural Heritage is clearly one of the most pressing priorities in the coming years.

"More than ever, the protection of our heritage requires strategic thinking that can embody public support and interests," it recommends.

This report comes at a time when national interest in cultural heritage issues is steadily on the increase, coupled with a growing desire among a number of stakeholders to involve themselves in the sector.

Malta's entry into the EU is also presenting the island with a degree of challenges and opportunities.

On the subject of underwater heritage the report says that over the centuries large quantities of archaeological material have been trapped in the heavy silting that occurs over the beds of enclosed harbours.

One high priority in this sector is to develop a standing public research programme on marine cultural assets. Without it Malta's ability to manage its cultural resources at sea would remain a purely reactive one, the report states.

Another topic tackled in the report is architecture, where it is highlighted that the loss of garden spaces, and subsequently the radical transformation of important town and country houses, is becoming common.

The report insists that it is fast becoming necessary to evaluate architecture through an interdisciplinary approach.

In the section on military heritage it was pointed out that the overall state of military architectural heritage is characterised by a widespread state of abandonment, misuse and an accelerating deterioration of the architectural fabric.

The absence of dedicated mechanisms and adequate resources, compounded by the sheer scale, magnitude and diversity of this kind of heritage has to date prevented the formulation and implementation of an ongoing conservation programme of restoration and rehabilitation of historic fortifications.

Such a programme now has to be designed to deal with both the short and long term issues.

On movable cultural heritage it was pointed out that while many Maltese museums follow international benchmarks on regulating the protection and accessibility of artefacts, the compliance with internationally recognised standards remains uneven.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage is exploring the introduction of a registration scheme for museums, which would increase professionalism in the sector.

There is also as yet no regulatory framework covering the movement, exchange and export of antiques and historic objects.

The report says it should be standard policy for Malta not to accept the importation of cultural property if this is not accompanied by a recognised export licence issued from the country of origin.

In a section on investment and costs it was pointed out that no comprehensive study exists to assess the sector's total economic turnover, its effect on employment levels or its full financial cost.

Even more elusive is the sector's economic impact on areas such as social inclusion, education, improvement to living and working conditions and environmental conservation.

On tourism and cultural heritage, the report states that the largest percentage of visiting tourists was registered at St John's Co-Cathedral and the Grandmaster's Palace, both in Valletta. However, it was a cause of concern that the major museums and other heritage sites in the city registered a low percentage of tourists.

While many visited the churches in Valletta, most remained closed throughout the day and were therefore not accessible.

Operators also complained that most historical attractions in the Cottonera were closed, inaccessible or under-utilised. The potential of this area as a tourist attraction remains largely untapped, according to the report.

The report also highlights the fact that the role of heritage as a major community asset has still not made an impact on the island's cultural heritage.

More substantial measures have to be taken in order to instil the idea that cultural heritage is, after all, a community asset.