The speeches during the Press Conference for the Memorandum of Understanding between Heritage Malta and the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation.

A Memorandum of Understanding detailing a collaboration between Heritage Malta and the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation has just been signed, signifying an important alliance between the two entities.

Among other goals, the National Agency and the Foundation will explore the possibility of integrating visits to the Co-Cathedral within Heritage Malta’s passport schemes for children, students and seniors. “This will open the Co-Cathedral’s doors to a significantly wider audience,” stated Michael Pace Ross, the Archbishop’s Curia’s Administrative Secretary. The entities will also explore ways of combining a visit to the Co-Cathedral with a visit to MUŻA, the Malta National Community Art Museum, a unique platform for the arts, bridging the gap between the artist and the public.

“I am convinced that this Agreement will help us enrich the services we offer to the public,” explained Mario Cutajar, Heritage Malta’s Executive Director.

“The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation continually aims to achieve the most excellent level of restoration and conservation of our heritage. Through this Agreement, we will be sharing our experience, knowledge and resources on the matter with the National Agency,” stated Wilfrid Buttigieg, the Foundation’s President. He mentioned that although the Co-Cathedral is Malta’s most visited tourist location and in a way can be deemed to be a stand-alone monument – in matters of collaboration the Foundation seeks to enter into a dialogue of mutual co-operation with other leading entities such as Heritage Malta. The President emphasised that the pandemic has reminded us how vulnerable we all are and the commonalities we have – even though the collaboration with Heritage Malta had started well before the pandemic and thus was already auguring well for a sound future between the two entities.”

The press conference was also attended by a group of children and their parents who had previously visited the Co-Cathedral. Mr Buttigieg said that during their visit the Foundation had heard how important the value of the Heritage Malta passport scheme is to them.

“Both MUŻA and St John’s Co-Cathedral share a very rich history, and are exquisite examples of high architecture and art,” emphasised Heritage Malta’s CEO, Noel Zammit. “By joining forces with the Foundation, Heritage Malta is once more increasing the accessibility of our national heritage to all.”

Video: The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation
Photos: DOI/MHAL

The inauguration and official opening of the Grand Masters’ Crypt was held on Tuesday 3 March 2020, at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta.The restoration and conservation project to protect this unique monument was financed by The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation – a project that amounted to approximately half a million Euro.Those for the inauguration were addressed H.G. Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna – Archbishop of Malta, the Hon. José Herrera – Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, the President of the Foundation Mr Wilfrid Buttigieg, and Curator/CEO Ms Cynthia de Giorgio.

H.G. Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna,  said that the Knights of the Order of Malta left behind them a very rich patrimony, which is synonymous to the words of Jesus Christ: ’…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit’ (Jn 12, 24). The Grand Masters have so much importance to their patrimony because they believed in the physical resurrection of the body, and wanted to be buried in the most sacred place of the conventual church of the Order. The Archbishop said that the Crypt holds the best European cultural expression where heritage meets faith.

The Hon. José Herrera mentioned that cultural heritage is priceless as it is a reflection of our history. With this knowledge, a national cultural strategy can be planned and strengthened that will lead to a visionary development for the future. Since there are those who do not value our cultural heritage enough, more awareness is necessary as it is the main source of our identity and national values.  New ways of financing needed to be found for conservation as the management of heritage site creates jobs. He sustained that the Government, together with the Church are committed to The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation – a success story that is carrying out prestigious restoration and conservation projects. He stressed that the investment in restoration including the protection of artistic jewels that this nation is blessed with is, an added value for tourists.  In the same manner, the environment should be conserved as the Maltese people deserve a better quality of life.

Mr Wilfrid Buttigieg, the President of The Foundation explained that the aim of the organisation was not only to restore, but also to conserve the historical, religious and artistic patrimony which lies at St. John’s Co-Cathedral.  On behalf of the Foundation, he thanked all those involved, for the excellent work done over the years.  He explained that the Grand Masters Crypt brought experts from diverse areas – such as architects, engineers, conservators, art historians and manual skilled workers to work together and achieve one aim. The President also thanked past Council members and the executive team of the Foundation who worked to make the Crypt accessible to the Maltese community at large as well as the numerous tourists who visit St. John’s annually.  Mr Buttigieg concluded by calling upon stakeholders in the field of culture and the arts, the media, the Church and politicians to stand alongside the Foundation in its mission of custodianship and protection of one of Malta’s most prestigious tourist locations and world heritage sites.

Photo Credit: DOI – Jeremy Wonnacott / Archdiocese of Malta – church.mt and The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation