The Vodafone Malta Foundation, which aims to share the benefits of modern mobile communications technology with the Maltese community, has announced it is committing more than Lm80,000 to the protection and preservation of Ggantija Temples, a world heritage site.

The agreement launching the Vodafone Ggantija Project was signed by Mrs Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, who chairs the Vodafone Malta Foundation, and Dr Mario Tabone, chairman of Heritage Malta, in the presence of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Vodafone CEO Joseph C. Grioli, Heritage Malta CEO Antoinette Caruana and ministers Francis Zammit Dimech and Giovanna Debono.

The two main aims of this new project are to make the Ggantija Temples more accessible to people with special needs and to preserve the site not only for the people of the Maltese Islands but also for more than 150,000 tourists who visit the site each year.

An effective monitoring system to better understand the effects of the environment and the pace at which the temples may be deteriorating is to be established.

The data collected will help build a clear, factual understanding of the conservation requirements of the site, which will guide any interventions that take place. Other aspects of the project will include improving security and accessibility.

To this end, the funding from the Vodafone Malta Foundation will be used to install a remote security system as well as to design and install a walkway to make the site accessible to persons with special needs.

The project will make creative use of mobile technology to help safeguard this cultural jewel and make it more accessible. This will include the introduction of palmtop units that will enable people with hearing difficulties to enjoy the site through a portable, on-screen sign language tour of the site.

This palmtop will also give them the option of exchanging text messages about their reactions to the site with other visitors. The use of these technologies will also make the Vodafone Ggantija Project a pilot for the application of mobile technology to heritage sites elsewhere.

"Vodafone, as the world's leading mobile communications provider, operates at the cutting edge of modern technology," Mrs Mifsud Bonnici said. "One of its principal values, however, is 'Passion for the world around us'. This value, which also encourages us all to appreciate what previous generations have bestowed, guides the Vodafone Malta Foundation.

"As one of the world's most outstanding examples of pre-historic architecture, Ggantija Temples are a treasure which belongs to the whole of humanity and the foundation is delighted to be playing such a significant role in its protection."

"What is planned for Ggantija is an integral part of the mission of Heritage Malta - to conserve, restore and present our cultural sites to the highest international standards," Dr Tabone said. "The prehistoric temples are icons for our people and cultural assets for all humanity.

"Their rehabilitation will be based on sound scientific investigation and the highest academic criteria, and we want to facilitate the physical and intellectual access to these great monuments."

"Tourism is one of the main pillars of Malta's economy and, if there is one thing that makes our country unique, it is the sheer density of ancient temples, such as those at Ggantija, " Dr Gonzi said. "Through this important project Vodafone is demonstrating its awareness and concern for the preservation of our history and culture.

The Prime Minister said Ggantija Temples are the most popular cultural attraction on the Maltese Islands, with almost 170,000 visitors in 2004. In line with Government's work priorities, a strategy for the conservation, rehabilitation and presentation of the Ggantija Temples has been outlined over a period of five years.

The whole plan will be costing around Lm216,000 with Lm100,000 being voted out of the national budget this year.

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