Bringing Standards to the Forefront: National Seminar Highlights the Future of Heritage Conservation in Malta
The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) played an essential role in co-organising a national seminar focused on the critical role of conservation standards in protecting Malta’s rich cultural heritage.
Held at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, the Local Seminar for Heritage Professionals on Standards for Conservation brought together experts and stakeholders from across the heritage sector to explore how standards can guide conservation efforts and ensure that best practices are followed in preserving Malta’s cultural assets.
The seminar was organised through the local technical committee for CEN/TC 346, the European committee on standardisation for cultural heritage, with the involvement of key partners including the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government (MHAL), Heritage Malta (HM), Restoration and Preservation Department (RPD), and the University of Malta (UM). This collaborative effort highlighted the importance of working together to ensure the long-term preservation of Malta’s heritage.
Kurt Farrugia, Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, opened the event by stressing the importance of maintaining rigorous, ethically grounded conservation practices. Also opening the seminar was Carmen Ciantar, CEO of the MCCAA, who spoke about the authority’s ongoing efforts to improve access to standards for the local heritage community.
The keynote address by Antonio Sansonetti, Chair of CEN/TC 346, offered an overview of the European framework for conservation standards, emphasizing the benefits of cooperation across borders and the collective wisdom that shapes these guidelines.
Other notable presentations included:
- George Cutajar, Director General of the MCCAA’s Standards and Metrology Institute, who explained the broader role of standards in various sectors.
- Professor JoAnn Cassar, Head of the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage at the University of Malta, who discussed how standards are integrated into conservation practices.
- Dr Jeanine Rizzo, a legal advisor in cultural heritage, who addressed the intersection of Maltese legislation and conservation standards.
A dynamic panel discussion titled “Standards or No Standards?” was a highlight of the seminar. Moderated by Joseph Magro Conti, Cultural Heritage Advisor at MHAL, the panel featured a diverse range of experts from the field, including:
- Kenneth Cauchi, Conservator and Unit Head at SCH
- Amanda Degiovanni, Chief Architect and Civil Engineer, RPD
- Veronica Micallef, Architect and Project Manager, HM
- James Licari, Conservator and President of MapCoRe
- Nicholas Doublet, Curator and Archivist, Archdiocese of Malta
- Paul Dalli, Architect and Policy Secretary, Kamra tal-Periti
- Antonio Sansonetti, Chair of CEN/TC 346
The discussion delved into important topics such as the flexibility of standards, their accessibility, and their role in guiding high-quality interventions. Education and outreach were also prominent themes. Speakers discussed the need to extend awareness of standards beyond heritage professionals, calling for greater involvement from property owners, contractors, and the public to foster a broader culture of conservation.
The seminar concluded with remarks from ministry representatives who reaffirmed the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Malta’s conservation framework and supporting the adoption of recognised international standards.
This successful seminar was made possible by the collaborative efforts of the SCH, the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government (MHAL), Heritage Malta (HM), the Restoration and Preservation Department (RPD), and the University of Malta (UM). Their collective contributions demonstrate the strength of partnership and shared commitment to preserving Malta’s cultural heritage for future generations.
