One hundred and forty eight employees at Heritage Malta have petitioned the Minister of Culture to retain their present chairman, Mario Tabone, whose tenure expires at the end of the month, The Times has learnt.
The workers, who represent over 70 per cent of the administrative, curatorial, managerial, technical and clerical staff of the agency in charge of the country's historical and cultural heritage, believe that the departure of Dr Tabone would be a great loss for the agency and for Malta as a tourist cultural destination.
The petition was presented to the Ministry of Culture on Monday, noting that Dr Tabone symbolises Heritage Malta with his acute sense of direction, dedication and commitment.
The petition, written in Maltese and seen by The Times, says (loosely translated): "Dr Tabone is our inspiration and has inspired all that we have carried out and the work we are doing.
"We have not seen anyone with the kind of dedication he has. This is evident in the big amount of work that was carried out over the past years both in Malta and abroad during which time cultural heritage has become far more popular (on the island).
"This would not have been possible had it not been for Dr Tabone at the helm."
Sources added that although Dr Tabone still practises his profession - he is an ophthalmologist - he calls at the office daily and makes it a point to have a word with all members of staff.
"He is loved by every member of the staff, is extremely knowledgeable about culture and steers clear of political pressure.
"The morale at Heritage Malta is at a low ebb because of the sense of great loss that has overwhelmed the staff because of this development," the sources added.
Asked how the staff had concluded that Dr Tabone's term would not be renewed, the sources added that apart from rumours through the grapevine, last week Parliament discussed the budget for Heritage Malta and Dr Tabone, who makes it a point to be present in the House on such occasions, was not even informed of the debate.
"All the work that has been carried out over the past five years, including the high profile that the agency has managed to build for itself, particularly through the Terracotta Soldiers and the Caravaggio exhibitions - held practically back to back last year - would go down the drain," the sources said.
When contacted, Dr Tabone, who is on holiday in Girona, said he did not have the slightest inkling about the petition.
He has led the agency for the past five years.
"I was preparing to leave at the end of my term although, I must admit, my heart and mind are still with Heritage Malta.
"I have dedicated so much time and emotion to this venture that I would not be human if I were to say I wouldn't like to stay.
"Together with the staff - who have toiled extremely hard - we had worked out a common policy of how to safeguard and promote the national heritage. The petition, I feel, is an expression of solidarity with the common philosophy I, together with the staff, hold and practise."
Dr Tabone said he has not been informed officially or otherwise whether or not his term would be renewed.
Over the past five years, Malta has managed to break into the international exhibition circuit, something that was only a dream years ago.
"We have just had an exhibition on Maltese archaeology in Alicante in Spain and while there I got a phone call from Barcelona telling me the Culture Ministry wanted to collaborate with us," Dr Tabone added.
When contacted, a Ministry of Culture spokesman said Minister Dolores Cristina is indisposed but will consider the petition as soon as she returns to the office in the next few days.