Restoration of Vilhena Fountain in Floriana Unveiled

Apr 12 2024

A significant milestone in Malta’s cultural heritage was celebrated yesterday as the restoration project of the Vilhena Fountain in Triq Sant’Anna l’Floriana was officially inaugurated.

The project, spearheaded by the Department for Public Works, represents a commitment to preserving the island’s historical landmarks for future generations.

The inauguration ceremony, attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia, along with the Mayor and councillors of Floriana, marked the culmination of extensive efforts to revive the iconic fountain. Years of neglect had taken a toll on the statue, architecture, and functionality of the fountain, rendering it inoperable and in need of urgent restoration.

With an investment of approximately two hundred thousand euros, the restoration project aimed to breathe new life into the cherished monument, which holds significant cultural and historical importance for the people of Malta. Parliamentary Secretary Farrugia emphasised the fountain’s role as a symbol of national heritage and underscored the government’s commitment to safeguarding such treasures.

“This fountain is part of our national heritage, and therefore we could not allow this precious heritage to continue to be lost,” stated Parliamentary Secretary Farrugia. “Thanks to the very good work done by the Public Works workers, we are giving back to the people this wonderful monument so that it can continue to be enjoyed in the best possible way.”

Architect Marvienne Camilleri, the project coordinator, outlined the meticulous restoration efforts, which included delicate work on the pedestal, ornaments, lion statue, and fountain basin. Additionally, a new water and lighting system has been installed to enhance the fountain’s aesthetic appeal, honouring its nearly 300-year-old legacy.

Furthermore, to ensure the safety and security of the area, a state-of-the-art CCTV system has been deployed, providing 24-hour monitoring of the fountain and its surroundings. These measures underscore the importance of preserving the Vilhena Fountain, designated as a Grade No. 1 monument by the Planning Authority, the highest level of protection for cultural heritage sites.

Photo Credit: DOI

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Elderly Home Bids Farewell To Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Founder

Apr 12 2024

Casa Antonia elderly home has recently paid a tribute to former member Joseph Sammut who was the founder of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and who recently died at the age of 97.

They thanked him for being a part of their home during the past few years and stated that his spirit will always remain in their hearts. The also wished heartfelt condolences to his family.

They released a video of the former maestro rolling back the years and orchestrating a local band that came to play music to the elderly housemates.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici also paid a tribute to the musical legend saying Malta had lost one of its “musical giants”.

“He was the last conductor of the Orchestra of the Commander in Chief of the Royal Navy, and the founding conductor of the Manoel Theatre Orchestra, that went on to become the Malta Philharmonic”, he noted. “Thank you, maestro”.

Joseph Sammut will always be remembered for his incredible feats in the Navy and him creating the Manoel Theatre Orchestra which later formed into the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Nationalist Party State That Better Planning Is Needed

Apr 12 2024

The Nationalist Party has stated that better planning is needed in order to avoid hundreds of millions of euros being wasted.

The Party revealed that even though €700 million has been spent in the past 11 years nothing has improved and the overall road situation has actually worsened. They stated that roads that were opened for infrastructure work ended up being closed again less than a year later to undergo new work.

This was the message that came out of a press conference addressed by Shadow Minister for Transport and Mobility Mark Anthony Sammut, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Capital Projects Joe Giglio, as well as European Parliament Election Candidate David Agius.

The speakers all noted that one of these roads is Triq il-Kunsill tal-Ewropa in Ħal Luqa, which people remember being closed less than a year ago to lay down new tarmac, but is now being re-closed to pass Enemalta cables. Similar situations are occurring in Mosta, Żurrieq, Xgħajra, and Żabbar, among other places.

The speakers emphasized that this is nothing but incompetence and a lack of planning from the Labour Government even wasting millions of euros including money from European Union Funds.

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Sant’Antnin Plant Transformation: Turning Waste into Green Spaces

Apr 12 2024

WasteServ has announced a significant step forward in its ambitious plan to transform the Sant’Antnin waste treatment plant into a recreational green park. With the issuance of a tender for excavation and preparatory construction works, the project is on track to reclaim over 23,000 square meters of land for public use, marking WasteServ’s largest-ever greening initiative.

The Sant’Antnin plant, once a hub of waste management operations, saw most of its activities cease in December 2022. Since then, the infrastructure has been dismantled and recycled abroad, clearing the path for the creation of a green sanctuary in Marsaskala.

The tender encompasses a range of tasks, including the excavation of a three-storey car park equipped with electric park-and-ride facilities, the creation of an artificial lake to attract biodiversity, and the establishment of three reservoirs to meet irrigation, stormwater, and firefighting needs. Notably, 33% of excavated materials will be reused on-site, aligning with WasteServ’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy.

A key feature of the project will be a 175-meter-long retaining wall, separating the green park from its surroundings and sculpting a natural landscape adorned with mature trees and shrubs. This integration of nature into urban spaces reflects WasteServ’s dedication to creating environmentally conscious developments.

Minister of Environment Miriam Dalli lauded the project as a testament to the government’s commitment to green initiatives. “Through this project, the government aims to rehabilitate a site previously associated with waste management into a nature park accessible to all for their enjoyment,” Minister Dalli stated, emphasising the importance of repurposing industrial spaces for public benefit.

Preparations for the project’s second phase are underway, with additional tenders expected in the coming months for tasks ranging from soil delivery to the construction of a greenhouse with aquaponics facilities. These developments underscore WasteServ’s holistic approach to green infrastructure, integrating sustainable practices at every stage of the project.

Richard Bilocca, CEO of WasteServ, expressed gratitude to the public for their support in realising the ECOHIVE strategy and delivering transformative projects like the Sant’Antnin park. “Without such policies, the inevitable outcome would have been more landfills and further land consumption,” Bilocca noted, highlighting WasteServ’s pivotal role in advancing Malta’s circular economy agenda.

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