Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said a Labour government would continue investing heavily in the restoration and preservation of Malta’s cultural heritage, while also introducing new initiatives aimed at strengthening accessibility and the use of the Maltese language.

Speaking during the news conference, Bonnici referred to a number of major restoration projects currently underway or planned, including works on the Grand Master’s Palace, the Jesuits’ Church, the Cottonera fortifications and the Chapel of Salib tal-Għolja in Siġġiewi.

He also announced plans to extend the Heritage Passport initiative, for all, to make cultural heritage sites more accessible to the public.

“The Labour Party has always promoted Maltese traditions and the cultural sector,” Bonnici said, stressing the importance of preserving the country’s historical and cultural identity.

The minister added that support would also be provided to private companies wishing to introduce bilingual signage, including translation assistance.

Bonnici further highlighted investment in digital tools for the Maltese language, including speech-to-text technology in Maltese that will be done in conjunction with Microsoft, and a Maltese reader pad aimed at assisting people with dyslexia.

He also announced that Villa Frère in Pietà would be restored so that it could be enjoyed by the wider community.

Parliamentary Secreatry Alison Zerafa Civelli spoke about the Fort Tigne and Manoel Island which has been returned to the people by a Labour Government, adding that it will be accessible to visitors and organisations involved in cultural heritage. She also spoke about the Cottonera bastions restoration amounting to 10 million euro.

Fort Benghjasa, she said, will be used by the Scouts Association, local organisations and the Birżebbuġa local council itself. Fort Binġemma will be transformed into a national space park. This concept will replicate the success of Esplora and will serve as an educational, training and research infrastructure in the fields of space and astronomy.

Zerafa Civelli said negotiations on San Salvatur will start during the next legislature in a bid for the site to be returned to government and in turn, the government will evaluate the best possible use for the site.

The final nomination for the Knights’ fortifications in San Ġwann to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site will be submitted. Labour has committed itself to seeing this nomination through and to increasing Malta’s presence on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

PL election candidate Mariah Meli encouraged locals to make use of the heritage passport and visit cultural places and museums. She also spoke about the Birgu Maritime Museum whereby people will be able to learn more about its deep rooted naval history and the different epochs of its history that is inadvertently tied to the sea. She added that a Labour government will invest in the Archaeology Museum in Valletta in a bid to give it a new look.