[MSN] Maltese heritage still 'under threat'

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Maltese heritage still 'under threat'
by Paul Cachia, di-ve news (pcachia at di-ve.com)

VALLETTA, Malta (di-ve news)--October 03, 2006 -- 1500CEST--The acts of
vandalism recently committed at the Rabat Catacombs are a reminder that
our historical monuments are still considered as a target by vandals.

Over the past years, there has been growing awareness amongst the public
with regards the uniqueness of our sites. Surveillance cameras and
custodians were introduced at our national heritage sites. Yet, our
cultural heritage is still threatened by vandalism.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was once recorded as saying that the Maltese
should rebel against attacks on our national identity and the senseless
destruction of our cultural heritage.

However, our heritage is being constantly stolen, defaced and threatened.
Vandals act without impunity and people in authority are tinged with a
sense of helplessness.

In the past years, Malta witnessed a spree of vandalism, including the
displacement of Neolithic stones at Mnajdra, the throwing of paint at
Portes des Bombes and the theft of the moon rock from the National Museum
of Natural History amongst others.

Can these acts of vandalism be prevented? I turned this question to the
Manager of Public Programmes at Heritage Malta, Mr. Pierre Cassar.

"Surveillance systems are to be used to guard our prime heritage sites.
However, we rarely have to report break-ins or vandalism", he told
www.di-ve.com.

Sacrilege at the Mnajdra temples

The turning point came in 2001, when some 60 megalithic stones at the
Mnajdra prehistoric temples site were damaged on the night of Good Friday
in what was described as the worst criminal act ever inflicted on Maltese
heritage.

"Ironically that incident paved the way for the Cultural Heritage Act
which gave birth to Heritage Malta", he explained.


Now, thanks to the work being done by Heritage Malta and Din l-Art Helwa,
there is greater awareness about our national heritage.

"Security was stepped up in practically all sites. Regarding to the
incidents at the Abbatija tad-Dejr catacombs, the site is under
restoration and it was locked", Mr. Cassar explained.

However, Heritage Malta is only responsible for 33 museums and sites, some
20 of which are open to the public.

The other cultural heritage is at risk as only remote surveillance systems
are used to guard the sites. But it is always too late too little as CCTV
are installed at locations where vandals have already struck.

A sense of frustration prevails whenever acts of vandalism occur as
culprits are never brought to justice.

"If there is no actual proof, then it's very difficult to nail someone",
Mr.Cassar said.

http://www.di-ve.com/dive/portal/portal.jhtml?id=251258&pid=23