Heritage Journalism Awards

Din l-Art Ħelwa recently announced the winners of the 2009 Built and Natural Heritage Journalism Awards. The awards were presented by President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, together with Din l-Art Ħelwa Vice-President Martin Scicluna.

The winner of the Prix d'Honneur for Natural Heritage Journalism was Alan Deidun for his article 'The Forgotten Islets of Filfla, Comino, Fungus Rock and St Paul's Islands', which vividly described the islets' wealth of flora and fauna as well as their unique history.

The Prix d'Honneur for Built Heritage Journalism went to Fiona Vella for her article 'Iċ-Ċimiterju b'għajnejn Oħra'.

Diplomas were also awarded to Lino Bugeja, for 'The Impending Rape of Our Arcadian Beauty', an appeal against the looming destruction of the valley of Ramla l-Ħamra and, more widely, the loss over several years of much of our natural landscape, as well as for his article, 'The Grand Harbour's Role in History', which told of the built heritage around Grand Harbour, highlighting the need fot urgent restoration of several fortifications and palaces.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici made an appeal for the media to take on a wider role in furthering awareness of built and natural heritage and stressed the media's responsibility to educate the public.