New national archives centre among plans to preserve Malta’s history

A new national archives centre is among the measures outlined in a long-term strategy to modernise Malta’s National Archives.

The strategy, which sets out the institution’s priorities until 2035, also aims to improve public access to historical records and expand digitisation efforts.

The ministry for the arts, culture, and national heritage launched the National Archives’ Strategic Vision 2035, setting out plans to improve infrastructure, expand digitisation, and strengthen the preservation of Malta’s heritage.

The strategy, developed following a year-long consultation process, identifies four key priorities to guide the institution’s development over the coming decade.

Among them is the development of a new national archives centre, designed to provide a secure, sustainable, and accessible space for the preservation of historical documents.

The strategy also includes plans to improve infrastructure at the Gozo Archives.

Another priority focuses on expanding digitisation efforts, including the preservation of digital records and the introduction of new technologies to improve the management and accessibility of archival material.

The National Archives will also seek to improve its services for researchers and the wider public, making historical records more accessible while creating new opportunities for research and education.

The fourth priority centres on strengthening public engagement with Malta’s archival heritage through educational initiatives, research, and community participation.

Alongside the strategy, the ministry unveiled a new institutional identity, titled It-Tila Minsuġa, intended to reflect the role of the National Archives in preserving the country's collective memory and identity.

“The National Archives are not merely a place where historical documents are kept; they are the living memory of our country,” Arts and Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea said.

“We believe that investment in our documentary heritage is an investment in our identity, in transparency, and in future generations.”

National Archivist Professor Charles Farrugia said the strategy would build on existing progress to make the institution more accessible and digitally advanced.

“By strengthening the preservation of, and access to, our collective memory, we provide future generations with the foundations upon which to build a better future,” Farrugia said.

The strategy will be implemented in phases, with action plans and performance indicators used to monitor progress towards its objectives.