Proposal Call For Former PM Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici Monument Design

Jun 22 2023

Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, together with Heritage Malta and under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister, launched a call for proposals for the design of a monument to Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici who served as Prime Minister of Malta from 1984 until 1987. The monument will be located in Castille Square, Valletta.

During a press conference announcing the call for proposals Minister Bonnici lauded Dr Mifsud Bonnici’s values and attributes, particularly his honesty and great humility, the strong sense of altruism, and his steadfast loyal to the principles he believed in and worked for. He said that through this gesture, the Government is giving due recognition to the contribution Dr Mifsud Bonnici – a well-loved and esteemed gentleman – gave to his country.

Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive Officer, Noel Zammit, said that Heritage Malta is privileged to announce the creation of another monument which will find its rightful place under its wing, to be preserved for generations to come. “We hope that the people at large will appreciate the artistic talents of the creator of the eventual monument. Indeed a monument’s highest value is to be able, across the centuries, to evoke a nation’s collective identity and be a link between the past and the present,” Mr Zammit said.

Through this call, interested artists are being invited to submit designs for a figurative bronze sculpture in honour of Dr Mifsud Bonnici. The style of the monument will be the prerogative of the artist. The scope of the works includes the pedestal and ancillary works, comprising lighting. The indicative budget for the design and construction of the monument is circa €150,000, all inclusive.

A jury will evaluate the submitted projects and will also review the tentative breakdown of costs submitted with each entry. All relevant information may be downloaded from https://heritagemalta.mt/public-calls/.

Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici was born in Cospicua on the 17th of July 1933. He was a lawyer by profession and also lectured in industrial and fiscal law at the University of Malta.

On 2nd May 1982, Dr Mifsud Bonnici was co-opted to Parliament and appointed Minister of Labour and Social Services. The following year, he was appointed Senior Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education. He was sworn in as Prime Minister on 22nd December 1984.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici passed away on 5th November 2022.

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Central Public Library Phase 1 Renovation Completed

Jun 22 2023

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary from the founding of Malta’s Central Public Library in Floriana, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici inaugurated the first phase of renovation works of the library, with an investment of €340,000.

Works during the first phase of this project included the restructuring of the ground floor section; namely new ceilings and floors, the restoration of apertures, a modern glass partitioning system which creates a dynamic space for different functions and several interventions to ensure complete accessibility to the building.

Minister Owen Bonnici explained that, over the past ten years, Malta Libraries’ services have undergone substantial upgrades; namely the shift to a computerised system which nowadays serves over a hundred libraries, be they public, parastatal as well as private, and the introduction of the free electronic book service for members of all ages.

“We are investing directly in the renovation of the building itself which serves as the administrative base for the entire Public Libraries Network,” stated Minister Bonnici, whilst praising the hard work being undertaken.

The National Librarian and CEO, Cheryl Falzon, reiterated that they have always recognised the great potential of the library and the services it offers. Therefore, over the years, a plan was drawn up and works started being implemented to upgrade both the services and the building itself.

She explained that the second phase of renovation works have started in the adult library section and, in the coming months, aside from shelving with books in the traditional formats, the space will include reading hubs, a makerspace where the public will be able to experience 3D printing as well as Virtual and Augmented Reality and regular educational and recreational courses and activities.

For the day, Malta Libraries has organised a programme of events for the public in collaboration with Heritage Malta’s Digitisation Unit, Saving Our Blue Campaign and the National Literacy Agency.

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Love Island Malta: Emotions Soar as Islanders Finally Meet the Parents

Jun 21 2023

In today’s episode of Love Island Malta, it was finally time to meet the parents. After weeks of getting to know the islanders, everyone was eager to meet them.

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A lot of emotions were running wild as the islanders had been separated from their parents for the past few weeks. The parents were also given a tour of the villa and were briefed on how their children had been spending their time inside.

Who were your favorite parents?

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Massive Tuna Swims Into Għadira Bay

Jun 21 2023

Beachgoers were momentarily terrified by a massive tuna which swam into shallow waters at Għadira Bay, with some even mistaking it for a shark.

The fish can be seen swimming on its side as it attempts to swim into open water but to no avail. The massive fish splashes as beachgoers look on in disbelief.

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Kids can be seen running back onto the beach after having spotted it whilst on a platform. It is unclear what happened to the fish after the footage ended.

No fish farm has yet come forward to claim the tuna, which is a very common delicacy on the island.

What would you have done?

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