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13 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 SEPTEMBER 2024 MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt discovered in Marsaxlokk Malta to celebrate Republic Day with €2 million 50th anniversary event MALTA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary since becoming a sovereign republic in 1974, with a large-scale event that is set to cost at least €2 million. Festivities Malta (FCN) issued a public contest that is attracting bids for the design and produc- tion of a large-scale, crowd-puller event, that will be free to the pub- lic, together with an educational and marketing campaign, and a series of events "that instil a sense of national identity and pride." Malta become a republic on 13 December 1974, appointing Sir Anthony Mamo as the first Pres- ident. FCN said the significant junc- ture offers an opportunity for the government to orchestrate commemorative events that will pay homage to Malta's history and accomplishments. "reflecting upon our rich tapestry of histo- ry and achievements while also charting a course towards a pros- perous future." "This moment beckons us to unite as a cohesive entity, tran- scending political boundaries. By underscoring the non-partisan essence of this commemoration, we can forge a legacy that reso- nates across generations, show- casing Malta's resilience, cultural diversity, and historical richness," FCN said in its call for bids. FCN said it wants to highlight the significance of Malta's 50th anniversary as a republic, and share the myriad benefits it offers, both culturally and economically. The period leading up to 13 De- cember 2024, is earmarked for a comprehensive educational cam- paign aimed at fostering a deep understanding of Maltese history among our populace. The nationwide initiative will be visible on television, radio, out- door displays, and digital media, where key historical epochs will be spotlighted, underscoring piv- otal moments that have shaped Maltese national identity. The pinnacle of the celebra- tions will be marked by an official ceremony, culminating in a cap- tivating production staged on St George's Square, Valletta. The programme must include an educational outreach pro- gramme, to showcase the signif- icance of the historic date. The winning bidder will also produce audio-visual communi- cation materials with video in- terviews and of testimonies from relevant stakeholders. "The pro- ject will be about fostering a deep understanding of Maltese history among our populace, and to instil a sense of local pride and nostal- gia," Festivities Malta said. Bidding teams will have to field an impressive array of key experts who will harness the myriad as- pects of event organisation and audiovisual production, digital marketing, music composer and lighting designer, and logistics coordinators. The transition to a republic marks a pivotal moment in Mal- ta's history, which upon becom- ing independent in 1964 still retained Queen Elizabeth as its head of state, with a governor as the sovereign's delegate. Republic Day in 1974 symbol- ised Malta's newfound autonomy as it shifted to a democratic form of governance with a Maltese head of state. "Understanding the signifi- cance of Malta being a republic is crucial as it reflects the collec- tive will of its citizens to govern themselves and shape their own destiny," FCN said in its tender document. "By becoming a republic, Mal- ta affirmed its independence and asserted its place among the community of nations as an equal partner. This shift in status was not merely symbolic; it carried profound implications for Mal- ta's political, social, and cultural landscape… "Furthermore, the establish- ment of a republic signifies a commitment to democratic prin- ciples. It underscores the impor- tance of civic engagement and active citizenship, as well as the responsibility of every citizen to contribute to the common good." Unlike a monarch who inherits their position, the President of a republic is elected by Malta's par- liamentary representatives, serv- ing as the head of state and the guardian of the Constitution. Understanding the role of the president in Malta is essential as it highlights the checks and bal- ances within the country's polit- ical system and the importance of upholding democratic norms and institutions. "Fostering a deep understand- ing of Malta's history as a repub- lic is vital for cultivating a sense of national identity and pride," the FCN said in its tender document. "It allows citizens to appreciate the sacrifices and struggles of pre- vious generations who fought for Malta's sovereignty. Moreover, it empowers individuals to active- ly participate in the democratic process, safeguarding the princi- ples upon which the republic was founded and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come." Sir Anthony Mamo (second from left) with Dom Mintoff (third from left) of material in a small area indi- cates that the site is extremely archaeologically sensitive and must be protected and investi- gated further, according to the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage (SCH). Although some material may have been brought to the site through wave action, the depth at which the artefacts were found suggests that they were thrown into the water at the location where they were discovered. Two trenches were also ex- cavated to an average depth of 50cm and 125cm below the seabed, respectively. The exca- vations suggest that one of the trenches was constructed us- ing carefully stacked limestone rubble. The structure predates the artefacts found below it, but it is currently difficult to accurately date the structure itself, and further work is re- quired. In its submission on the ERA project, the Superintendence acknowledged that the pro- posed coastal works to com- bat erosion and protect the surrounding ecology are nec- essary. However, it also noted that the proposed works will alter the coast and significant- ly impact the underwater ar- chaeological features. In view of this, the SCH has recommended several mitiga- tory measures, including the use of geotextile material to cover archaeologically sensi- tive areas. While granting its approval for the project, the SCH recommended archaeo- logical monitoring throughout the works. The Superintendence will continue to investigate the ar- ea, primarily underwater, in the coming months to address various research questions arising from this initial in- vestigation. This phase of the archaeological investigation is not expected to impact the proposed works, as it will be completed before the project begins in the affected area. Prior to the archaeological investigation, it was already known that the footprint of the proposed revetment over- lapped with the location of recorded ancient archaeolog- ical structures on the seabed, extending towards the shore, and also overlapped or abutted large ashlar masonry blocks arranged in a regular pattern on land. The Magħluq area is charac- terised by its shallow waters and has historically been as- sociated with salt production, as indicated on maps dating towards the end of the 19th century. In the 1911 Ordnance Survey Sheets, il-Magħluq is also labelled as a location for fishponds. Top: Underwater investigations at Il-Ballut in Marsaxlokk Left: Evidence of a wall in Tench 2 Above: A bowl found in the seabed