Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1113313
7 A site formerly used by the British military to strengthen the defences of the western part of Malta has undergone painstaking restoration and will now be used for didactic, research and outreach purpos- es as an observatory and field centre. A collaboration between the HSBC Malta Foundation, the University of Malta (UM), and Mġarr Local Council, the I-Land Observatory and Field Centre represents a unique new concept in natural and cultural heritage management in Malta. The parties had orig- inally embarked on plans for this project nearly eight years ago with restoration works getting underway in 2013. The I-Land Observatory and Field Centre overlooks Fomm ir-Riħ Bay and spans the area formerly known as the Kunċizzjoni Electric Light Engine Room, built between 1897 and 1917, and features rare military building charac- teristics. According to Prof. Alex Torpiano (UM), the site used the latest military technology available for its time. Although only a few upright sections remain in the perim- eter, the site made early use of barbed wire for coastal de- fence. Other defence features in- cluded prickly pear plants, the scarping of part of the perim- eter slope, rubble wall infantry field defences, a musketry gal- lery, a fire trench, and maxim machine guns. Professor Louis F. Cassar, from the UM, said that the Centre will be used to show- case not only the site's his- tory and heritage, but also the various assets that occur in the vicinity, notably the unique landforms, the geol- ogy, the rural landscapes and the very context within which this extreme end of the Victo- ria Lines defence of was con- structed. HSBC Malta CEO Andrew Beane, who was formally edu- cated in History, said: "This- sproject has been a labour of love for us. It reminds us that we can learn something to- gether if we keep one eye on the past while keeping one eye on the future, and to do so in a way that brings together the community, the University, and other partners." University Rector Prof Al- fred J. Vella said: "This pro- ject extends University's work outside of campus and into the community, and affects research that will circle back into cutting-edge studies." Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Com- munities Silvio Parnis said: "Today's initiative is another example of how important Lo- cal Councils are for their lo- calities and for the residents. This Local Council, in col- laboration with the University of Malta and HSBC, is turning this building into something beneficial for the residents and for all those who visit this locality." Mġarr Mayor Paul Vella said: "This building was built for keeping 'the other' from coming in and invading the area. Today, we are opening it up for all to come, visit, and explore the bravery and bril- liance of those who planned and erected this building." An exhibition featuring the history and the various stages of the often-complex restora- tion works is now open to the public. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 MAY 2019 CULTURE DURING the sixteenth centu- ry the Spanish Crown granted Malta to the Order of St John, which immediately set off a process of transformation of the islands from a backwa- ter to a cosmopolitan hub in the Mediterranean. On Wednesday, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar is organ- ising a presentation at Hotel Phoenicia, during which Ryan Grech shall explore Maltese society on the eve of the Great Siege, as expressed in notarial acts of the period. This is a great opportunity to come as close as possible to the indi- viduals of the time and get to know them better. Thanks to these documents, Ryan Grech was able to re- construct the social, political and economic situations of the time, as Notary Matteo De Brincat travelled to differ- ent villages in Malta, preparing deeds which included people from different levels of the so- cial scale from nobles to cler- gymen and commoners, and which throw light on women's role in society, business trans- actions, property and inherit- ances, reflecting dynamic six- teenth century Maltese society. Ryan Grech is a University of Malta history graduate, as well as being an alumnus of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (Uni- versity of Malta). He has recently carried out an analysis on sixteenth-cen- tury Maltese society and also examined European politico- economic and technological aspects in the first half of the nineteenth-century. Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) is an independent vol- untary organisation, reg. VO 101 which does not receive state funding. We work to preserve Malta's heritage, environment and quality of life - your support of our events, your donations and membership ensure a bet- ter, healthier Malta for all. The presentation starts at 6.30pm and guests are re- quested to be seated by 6.15pm. Bookings can be secured on https://culturemalta.org/ Exploring Maltese society before the Great Siege through the Acts of Notary Matteo De Brincat Noblemen in a Maltese kaless, passing Maltese peasants on the roadside Historic former military installation restored as observatory and field centre A commemorative plaque was also unveiled on the occasion An exhibition featuring the unique history of the site is now open to the members of the public