Vittoriosa monument

I thank Mr A. Farrugia (The Sunday Times, January 2) for his appreciation for the work carried out on the important Victory monument in Vittoriosa.

A Greek restoration company, TIME Heritage, conducted the work, while the scientific investigations were done at the Malta Centre for Restoration.

This was indeed a very difficult project in view of the very serious deterioration as a result of the numerous layers of green paint that used to adorn the statue. Also, parts of the statue were restored in the past by using cement. The stone base itself was also in serious need of restoration.

As for the sword, we are informed that this is being kept at the local council offices after it was stolen from the statue and somehow returned to the council. We agree that it should be returned to the statue.

Once the whole square will be paved, in the near future, we could include an interpretation of the statue, such as a translation of the Latin inscription.

Mr Farrugia also mentioned the statue of St Lawrence in the same square. This statue, which has serious structural problems, is being restored in the coming weeks.