Conference on French military engineer Vauban

A two-day conference on the French military engineer Vauban will be held today and tomorrow at the Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana.

The participants will be discussing the influence of Vauban on the development of Maltese fortifications and compare the conservation of his fortifications in France with the current restoration projects of the forts and fortifications in Malta.

The seminar is being organised by the Embassy of France in Malta and the International Institute for Baroque Studies within the University of Malta in collaboration with the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure, the Malta Tourism Authority and the Kamra tal-Periti, among others.

The aim of this international forum is to mark the 300th anniversary of Vauban's death and his influence on the development of the fortifications in Malta during the 18th century.

Today's speakers include Dennis De Lucca from the University of Malta; Alain Montferrand, President of the Association Vauban; Claude Busuttil; Maria Giuffre from the University of Palermo, Stephen Spiteri, Superintendent of Fortifications, the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure and Michele Virol, CNRS, France.

Tomorrow's speakers include M. Emilie d'Orgeix, military historian; Philippe Prost, conservation architect and member of the Association Vauban; Hermann Bonnici from the Restoration Unit at the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure; David Mallia from Din l-Art Helwa; Alex Torpiano, MIDI consortium; and Alain Montferrand, President of the Association Vauban.