"The country should invest more in its culture since this is what gives the Maltese and Gozitans their identity", Glenn Bedinfield, Labour candidate for the EP elections said today when he visited Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. Mr Bedingfield said that, apart from promoting the Maltese identity, such investment would attract more tourism since it would aid in improving the Maltese product. He noted that although other European countries have embraced such a mentality, the government here is doing the opposite.

Mr Bedingfield was accompanied on a tour of the Foundation's headquarters. Mr Mario Farrugia, chairman of the Foundation, told Mr Bedingfield about the projects - now amounting to more than 30 - the Foundation is currently working on. He explained that although the maintenance and running costs of projects such as that of Fort Rinella and the Saluting Battery, the Foundation managed to keep them running. Mr Farrugia also told Mr Bedingfield that recently, Lascaris War Rooms were passed on to the Foundation.

Mr Bedingfield thanked the Foundation for the precious work it was carrying out and noted that government's help in such projects was vital. However, he said, investments that could help in promoting the Maltese culture were weak. Mr Bedingfield said that government is wrong in relying on what our ancestors left this generation without making any genuine effort in safeguarding our national heritage.