Government is evaluating potential sites for new National Archive building, minister says
The government is evaluating potential sites for the creation of a new National Archive building, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said in response to a Parliamentary QuestionIn response to a Parliamentary Question regarding the situation of the new Nat
The government is evaluating potential sites for the creation of a new National Archive building, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said in response to a Parliamentary Question
In response to a Parliamentary Question regarding the situation of the new National Archives, with added pressure by the MaltaToday, the Minister for Culture revealed on Monday, in response to the Parliamentary Question, that though the plans for a new National Archive were put on the backburner for a concert complex, discussions on the new National Archives are currently ongoing.
Following the news that plans to build a new, centralised National Archive at Ta' Qali were scuppered, since, as MaltaToday reports, it was overtaken by the Ta' Qali concert venue that was built in place of a concert venue, questions emerged as to what will become of the project.
PN MP Julie Zahra questioned why the project of a new National Archive hasn't been done and went on to press Bonnici what the plans for this project are. She further inquired if the new National Archives would be built on the land as stipulated by the 2019 deed or if a new site will be given.
In response, Bonnici said that the decision regarding the Ta' Qali site was taken in November 2021 and based on environmental and operational considerations to the Ta' Qali National Park. He said that this doesn't detract from the need for a new National Archive and that, currently, the government is evaluating various potential sites, pointing out that every site has its benefits and drawbacks.
Bonnici said that the aim is to identify a site that doesn't only meet the technical requirements for the accommodation of priceless heritage and documents but also to improve public access to the archives and raise interest towards the project and work of the archives. He concluded by saying that internal discussion are ongoing at a good pace and stressed that it is crucial to take decisions which will effectively serve future generations.