Malta’s bid to repair image at UNESCO

The comparative speed with which the Maltese authorities took remedial action in the wake of the damage to the Mnajdra temples last year might have gone some way to repairing the island’s image with heritage experts and enthusiasts abroad.

When the 5,000-yearold temples were desecrated a year ago, there was public outcry, both in Malta and abroad, not only at the damage done, but also at the evident ease with which the perpetrators were able to enter the area and vandalise over 60 megaliths.

According to Karalyn Schenk, a spokeswoman for UNESCO World Heritage Centre, at the twenty-fifth session of the World Heritage Committee in Helsinki, Finland which was held in December, the organisation expressed its satisfaction at the speed with which remedial action was taken following the acts of vandalism.

Ms Schenk explained that a request was made for the committee to be informed on progress of actions undertaken following the damage and a report on the restoration project of the megalithic temples was sent by the Permanent Delegation of Malta to the Secretariat on 18 October 2001.

"This report informed that a strategic restoration plan had been prepared by the

Department of Museums and implemented during May to July 2001," she said. "It also informed that security measures had immediately been undertaken following the acts of vandalism, as well as a general reinforcement of security at the

site. The report also contained information concerning ongoing and long-term

protection and conservation projects for the megalithic monuments."She added that the committee took note of the information contained in the report and expressed its satisfaction as to the speed with which the remedial actions had been undertaken and for the conservation and protection measures established to protect all the megalithic temples of Malta.

"The Delegate of Greece noted that, in these cases, appropriate measures should be undertaken to combat vandalism," she said.

After the attack on the temples which happened on Good Friday last year, the education ministry and museums department prepared a restoration plan, while simultaneously launching a work programme to put essential infrastructure, such as electricity, in place at various archaeological sites.

There is now a radio link and a telephone line at Hagar Qim, alongside other important sites, while Mnajdra has a much more secure boundary fence. Both Hagar Qim and Mnajdra also have watchmen cabins and additional staff to man them.

The restoration plan adheres to strict guidelines based on the technical principles adopted by UNESCO, which has given the museums department a grant for the conservation and preservation of the temples.

The temples have now been re-opened to the public.