SPEECH
BY THE HON. GIOVANNA DEBONO, MINISTER FOR GOZO, DURING THE SEMINAR
REGARDING BROCHTORFF EXCAVATIONS ENTITLED: XAGHRA
STONE CIRCLE
– VICTORIA, GOZO – SATURDAY,
25TH SEPTEMBER 2004
I
have been requested by my Minister to convey her regrets for not being
able to attend for this seminar since she is abroad and I will therefore
read her message sent for the occasion.
Today
marks the beginning of the fulfilment of a dream for Gozo. A much
desired wish is becoming a reality.
When
way back in 1996 the finds from the Xaghra Stone Circle were exhibited
for the first time in Gozo during an exhibition organized by the Fondazzjoni
Patrimonju Malti in association with the National Museum of
Archaeology, the wish to have these treasures found in Gozo exhibited
permanently here became a need and a mission of the Ministry for Gozo.
Gozo
boasts of a rich cultural heritage disproportionate with its small size.
Notwithstanding its limited resources it has always strived to preserve
and promote its heritage as a source of national pride and as an
attraction to tourism so much necessary for the wellbeing of our
islands.
But
on our own, we cannot be expected to shoulder the enviable burden of
preserving and conserving the immense legacy forwarded to us by our
ancestors, which we hold in trust for the rest of humanity.
It
is therefore with great pleasure and satisfaction that the Ministry for
Gozo has associated itself with Heritage Malta in the
organization of this seminar, a very important step in a series of
initiatives being taken jointly in favour of the heritage of Gozo.
Since
the setting up of Heritage Malta, the National
Agency responsible for the heritage of the Maltese islands, the Ministry
for Gozo has collaborated closely with Heritage Malta in a number of
initiatives intended to preserve and promote our heritage. A joint
committee has been set up between Heritage Malta and the Ministry
for Gozo in order to serve as a forum were issues related to Gozo will
be discussed.
The
Ministry for Gozo has also submitted a project proposal for EU funding
under the Gozo Axis of the Structural Funds. A number of state of the
art showcases will be procured for the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, which
will enable the most significant finds unearthed during archaeological
excavations at the Xaghra Stone Circle to be exhibited permanently in
Gozo in environmentally controlled and properly secure showcases. This
project, on which my Ministry and Heritage Malta have collaborated
closely, is expected to start off in the coming weeks with the
publication of the call for tenders for the supply of the required
showcases. This project will be supplemented with a general
refurbishment of the same museum, which is to be carried out by Heritage
Malta.
The
two organizations are also working closely to identify other sources of
funding for the restoration and conservation of historical sites in Gozo
and some funds have already been secured.
At
the close of today’s seminar, I feel in duty bound to officially thank
all those who have been involved in this unique experience for Gozo. I
start with Mr Joe Attard Tabone whose interest in archaeology coupled
with the love for his home island have led to the conclusive relocation
of this important site on Gozo. Thanks are also due to all those who
insisted on having the site excavated and those who led the excavation
namely Dr Simon Stoddart and Dr Caroline Malone from the University of
Cambridge, Dr David Trump – former curator at the National Museum,
Professor Anthony Bonanno from the University of Malta and Dr Tony Pace
– formerly Director of Museums and now Superintendent of Cultural
Heritage. A special thanks to all those students and volunteers from
different countries who worked for long hours under our scorching summer
sun painstakingly excavating and recording the finds. A word of thanks
goes also to all the Universities and institutions who supported this
project and provided academics, equipment and funding to carry out this
excavation and study the finds of the Xaghra Stone Circle.
Last
but not least I should like to thank the Chairman and Board Members of
Heritage Malta who have clearly understood this Ministry’s mission and
together we are now closely collaborating on projects in favour of our
heritage. I greatly appreciated their decision to hold this seminar in
Gozo and assure them of our continued support and cooperation.
I
trust that during the very near future we will meet again for the
inauguration of the Gozo Museum of Archaeology project, where the finds
from this excavation will take pride of place, and where they may be
viewed and enjoyed by all.