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.  

Thank You.
 

DOI – 25.09.2004