Caring for treasures and historic buildings

The Institute for Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage (ICMCH) of Heritage Malta felt the need to help professionally all those in charge of collections and historic buildings - whether private, state, church or conventual - to safeguard their treasures. The institute is thus organising a certificate course in "Caring for your treasures and historic buildings" for the general public that explains in layman's terms how one can look after one's treasured possessions.

The same course will be held at three different dates in three locations to reach the needs of as many applicants as possible. The first course, which will be held at Heritage Malta Conservation division, Bighi, started last Wednesday and will go on until May 10, between 5.30 and 7 p.m.

The second will be held at Heritage Malta's head office,Valletta, from Tuesday to March 18, between 9 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

The third course will take place at the University of Malta, Gozo Centre, Xewkija, on Saturday mornings, from Saturday to April 29, between 9 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

Lecturers are experts professionally trained in the field with several years of experience.

Included in the course fee of Lm80 (Lm50 for student card or karta anzjan holders) is a start-up pack, reading/tip lists, coffee break coupons and the use of the institute's reference library on lecture days.

The certificate course will start with a general introduction to Heritage Malta and its various functions. It will then introduce general notions on care of collections and historic building, including the importance of knowing what you have; the effects of climate, light, moisture, ventilation, heating, storage, handling and transport methods; display; housekeeping and maintenance; and knowing what is possible to do yourself and when the professional conservator needs to be called in.

Through the various sessions, organised according to the material or type of artefact or monument, participants will receive authoritative and practical advice about looking after collections and historic buildings.

Lectures will also help owners and custodians recognise and deal with the problems relating to the preservation of their artefacts and monuments.

They will provide insight into how to care for collections and historic buildings, and will give tips that will help reduce risks, and increase the value and enjoyment of such treasures.

Lecturers will include conservation architects Claude Borg and Jevon Vella, director of the Institute of Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage Martina Caruana, and conservators Frank Chetcuti, Michael Formosa, Joseph Schirò, Ray Spiteri and German Ursula Rothamel.

For further information, call 2180-7675 ext. 262/271, e-mail joseph.schiro@gov.mt or visit www.heritagemalta.org