In a recent event organised by the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government (MHAL) at the Malta Maritime Museum, the Hon. Owen Bonnici, Ministerfor the National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, addressed the heritage organizations under the umbrella of E-RIHS.mt.
E-RIHS, the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, is a collaborative network spanning 14 EU member countries, including Malta. Its mission is to provide transnational access to cutting-edge fixed and mobile laboratory facilities, archives, digital resources, and expert knowledge across various domains of heritage science.
Minister Bonnici affirmed the government’s unwavering support for E-RIHS.mt, stressing that such collaborative efforts should become standard practice rather than the exception. He highlighted the importance of nurturing local talent and expertise while fostering close cooperation with European partners.
The event also featured insightful presentations by Prof. JoAnn Cassar, Head of the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage at the University of Malta and National Coordinator for E-RIHS.mt; Mr. Joseph Magro Conti from the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government; and Mr. Kevin Borda from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. They showcased the achievements of E-RIHS.mt, provided updates on NARCH (the National Research Agenda for Cultural Heritage), and introduced the E-RIHS.mt Pilot Training School held in April 2024. The new Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Mr. Kevin Mahoney was welcomed as a keynote speaker during the opening session to the training school (more details on the event can be found here).
The evening concluded with a Maltese-themed Taste History dinner organized by Heritage Malta, offering a valuable networking opportunity for the professionals in attendance.