ICCROM's 50th anniversary

ICCROM (the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural of Cultural Property), an agency founded by UNESCO, has just celebrated its 50th anniversary during ceremonies held at its homebase city Rome.

The celebration was held at the Italian Parliament under the auspices of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Romano Prodi, and was addressed by Deputy Prime Minister and Culture Minister Francescco Rutelli, among others.

During the week-long celebrations, ICCROM also held its annual council meeting and its bi-annual general assembly. Ray Bondin, who has been an ICCROM council member over the past six years, led the delegation from Malta.

Dr Bondin was one of the persons introduced to Minister Rutelli due to his responsibilities at ICCROM. In particular, at the last council meeting, he was unanimously re-appointed as co-ordinator, on behalf of the council, of the €4 million project to restore the ex-convent of San Francesco a Ripa in Trastevere, which will house the new ICCROM offices and lecture rooms.

ICCROM is presently situated in Via San Michele. The new office will bring together under one roof the library and laboratory.

Dr Bondin's report was approved without discussion.

Ray Bondin is manager, Corporate Projects, at Heritage Malta.