Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542822
TOO often, heritage is spoken of as something distant, sealed behind glass cases, anchored to dates in history books, or con- fined to silent monuments. Yet this perception does a disservice not only to the past, but also to the present. Malta's heritage is not a stat- ic inheritance frozen in time; it is a living, evolving presence that continues to shape who we are. This is the powerful message at the heart of Herit- age Malta's 2026 campaign— Heritage Alive/Ħaj. Safeguarding more than eight millennia of human his- tory is no small responsibility. But preservation alone is not enough. Heritage must be ex- perienced, interpreted, and continuously reimagined if it is to remain meaningful. Her- itage Malta's approach recog- nises an essential truth: Herit- age survives not because it is old, but because it is relevant. Every exhibition opened, every guided tour offered, and every creative initiative launched breathes new life into sites that might otherwise be per- ceived as relics of another age. The 2026 Calendar of Events, boasting over 200 activities, is a tangible expression of this philosophy. It transforms heritage from something ob- served into something lived. Museums and historic sites become spaces of discovery and dialogue rather than pas- sive repositories of objects. Visitors are invited not only to learn, but to connect emotion- ally, intellectually, and even sensorially with the past. Crucially, this calendar re- flects a deep commitment to inclusivity. Families, children, and young people are offered hands-on workshops and dis- covery tours that foster cu- riosity and creativity. These initiatives ensure that herit- age is not inherited passively, but is actively shaped by new generations. At the same time, wellbeing sessions set within historic environments remind us that heritage can also be restorative—a source of calm and reflection in an increas- ingly fast-paced world. The programme also breaks free from the traditional boundaries of the museum. Guided walks, cruises, and themed tours invite partici- pants to experience heritage across landscapes, streets, and coastlines, reinforcing the idea that history is woven in- to the very fabric of everyday life. Meanwhile, Taste History events demonstrate that food is itself a powerful historical narrative—one that connects memory, tradition, and com- munity through shared expe- rience. Accessibility remains a cen- tral pillar of this vision. By de- signing activities for persons with different abilities and cultivating a strong members' community, Heritage Malta affirms that patrimony truly belongs to everyone. This in- clusive ethos ensures that no one is excluded from engag- ing with the nation's collective story. Highlights such as the sec- ond edition of the Malta Art Biennale and the return of Museums by Candlelight fur- ther underline the agency's ambition. These events do more than attract visitors; they reposition heritage spac- es as dynamic platforms for contemporary dialogue and artistic expression, bridging past and present in meaning- ful ways. At a time when societies across Europe are rethinking how culture can support sus- tainability, wellbeing, and so- cial cohesion, Heritage Malta's approach feels both timely and necessary. By activating his- toric spaces through diverse programming, the agency en- sures that heritage contributes meaningfully to contemporary life rather than remaining on its margins. These initiatives align closely with broader national and international vi- sions that recognise culture as a driver of education, in- clusion, and resilience. In this sense, the calendar of events is not merely a schedule of activ- ities, but a statement of intent: Heritage can inspire dialogue, nurture community bonds, and help us navigate the pres- ent while remaining rooted in our shared past. At its core, the 2026 calendar is an invitation to participate, reflect, and experience herit- age. It acknowledges that heritage endures not because it is pre- served behind barriers, but be- cause it is shared, questioned, enjoyed, and reinterpreted. In doing so, it reminds us that Malta's heritage is not sim- ply something we look at. It is something we live with, and something that lives within us all. 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 JANUARY 2026 OPINION At its core, the 2026 calendar is an invitation to participate, reflect, and experience heritage. It acknowledges that heritage endures not because it is preserved behind barriers, but because it is shared, questioned, enjoyed, and reinterpreted Noel Zammit CEO Heritage Malta Heritage that lives,breathes, and belongs to us all