Over €60 million investment into the cultural sector announced

Oct 31 2022

Addressing a press conference with the theme of Malta, Certainty and Stability (Malta, Ċertezza u Stabbiltà), Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici said that for next year’s budget, the government will be investing more than €60 million to strengthen the artistic and cultural sector of our country.

There will be an emphasis on more projects which the families of Malta and Gozo can enjoy though new cultural spaces which highlight our national heritage.

The Minister addressing the conference at the Valletta Design Cluster, which is a family-oriented regenerated building. He said that there will be more restorations pertaining to historical buildings across the islands.

Among these projects, the balconies and the sculpture garden for the contemporary art space in the San Salvatur Floriana zone will be complete so that the public will have four acres of open space to utilise.

This is but one of 25 other restoration projects planned for 2024, with a capital investment of €3.35 million.

The projects also include the restoration of the Victoria Lines, the Jesuit Church in Valletta, works on the front of the Ġieżu Church front and the Lunzjata Chapel in Siġġiewi.

The Minister also highlighted the restoration of the Grand Master’s Palace and the Guardamangia Villa. The Planning Authority have issued the necessary plans to allow the restorations of the latter.

During the same press conference, the minister also kicked off the Culture Pass, through which local students can undergo a cultural and artistic experience whilst also pushing art professionals to create new works for a younger audience.

The Minister highlighted how throughout the past five years, 171 productions were held and showcased to around 156,000 students.

The Minister took the opportunity to salute all the workers of the Public Broadcasting Services in the wake of it’s 60th year of television broadcasting. He praised the workers and the ongoing work aimed at modernising the modus operandi of the station. Dr Bonnici said that, throughout next year, the cultural and creative platforms will be further strengthened.

‘We have the mission of continuously improving the local cultural and creative industries onto an international scale’ said the Minister.

‘For the first time in our country’ history, Malta will be participating in the London Design Biennale so as to act as an example of our cultural and creative forces.’

Bonnici also emphasised how the government will continue to recognise the voluntary work in musical societies and those tied with local feasts. The work in Valletta will also continue through the allocation of €3.6 million through events such as operas, environmental festivals and gastronomical festivals, artistic installations and other events which will attract all types of people.

With the allocation of €5 million, a calendar of festivals will be produced, aiming at tackling all genres of art and thus place value on quality. ‘When one takes care of art and culture, one would be taking care of the soul of an entire country’ said the Minister.

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There should be no more construction on Comino says Tourism Minister

Oct 31 2022

Speaking during an interview with Fabian Demicoli, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said that there should be no more construction on Comino.

The Minister was asked what was done, given the pledge that this summer will be different for the little island in between Malta and Gozo when compared to previous years.

Bartolo responded by saying that, to start off, Comino is not just Blue Lagoon. He said that there is a lot of potential on Comino that was unfortunately disregarded from an environmental and sustainable standpoint.

The Minister then clarified that what has been built on Comino should be the last of any construction on the island.

However, Bartolo said that it was this government, during the previous legislature, that started removing sun beds off of Kemunett. He said that this work will continue to give more public space for tourists and visitors to enjoy.

He also said that there needs to be better management as to how tourism is handled on the island and Blue Lagoon. This will help better the situation and not repeat the mistakes of previous years.

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We need another hospital on the level of Mater Dei says local doctor

Oct 31 2022

Taking to social media, Dr Frank Portelli expressed his call to build a new hospital of the same calibre as Mater Dei in Malta.

Portelli said that Mater Dei Hospital provides an excellent medical service to the Maltese population and to foreigners, whether tourists or workers.

‘Since MDH first opened its doors to patients 15 years ago, the demand has increased dramatically’ he said. This has made the hospital far too small for our needs, said Portelli.

To also tackle the issue of overworked staff, Portelli proposed building another general hospital of the same calibre as MDH. He went on to give more reasons why this could be useful, saying that we need to abandon the idea of a ‘one site’ hospital.

This is the principle of not putting all our eggs in one basket. ‘The new hospital should ideally use the same type of equipment as Mater Dei so tha staff will be at home when they move and instruments being duplicated (act as) backup.’

This would also ease the pressure off of MDH. ‘We need to act now as it takes time. Employ local contractors & it will stimulate the economy for a few years.’

As per a site for the new hospital, the doctor also proposed modernising St Luke’s Hospital and to purchase property on the Pieta Sea Front to create multiple access.

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€3,002.40 raised during late Puttinu Cares patient Miguel Borg’s funeral

Oct 31 2022

Following the passing of 22-year-old Miguel Borg on the 27th of October, a whopping €3,002.40 were raised during the late youth’s funeral.

Puttinu Cares, who had been a massive part in providing aid to Miguel as he battled his terminal illness, revealed the wonderful charitable act on social media.

Puttinu Cares thanked everyone who attended the funeral and contributed to the generous donation as they celebrated the life of the young man.

Tributes had poured in for Miguel upon the news of his passing. This included the University of Malta’s Rector Prof. Alfred J. Vella who had held a special private graduation ceremony at Miguel’s home to award the 22-year-olds success in Mechanical Engineering.

#MaltaDaily