Awards for heritage articles in The Times, Sunday Times

The prestigious 2006 Din l-Art Helwa Silver Medal for Heritage Journalism was yesterday awarded to Lino Bugeja for his article in The Sunday Times on "Birgu's Historic Pjazza".

A diploma was also awarded to Astrid Vella for her article Heritage In The Mine, published in The Times.

The DLH Award for Heritage Journalism, in association with the Institute of Maltese Journalists, is given annually to anyone who, through their written articles, underlines the vital contribution of Malta's built cultural heritage to its history and culture. The judges look for articles that propagate the significance and importance of Malta's built cultural heritage and the crucial need to safeguard it.

Both Mr Bugeja and Ms Vella had made an outstanding contribution through their articles to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of Malta's built cultural heritage, the heritage NGO said.

The awards were presented by President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici at the DLH premises in Valletta yesterday, while judging panel chairman Martin Scicluna encouraged newspaper editors to focus more on producing educational and campaigning articles that not only celebrated Malta's rich history but also the need to protect it.