I refer to the letter by the PRO of Wirt Għawdex (The Sunday Times, February 10).

Back in December 1987, an Art Committee - a sub-committee of the Gozo Cultural Council, within the Ministry of Gozo - was set up under my chairmanship to provide a set of guidelines to the ministry for a plan of work regarding Gozo's artistic heritage. The same instructions were conveyed to the other 10 members of the Cultural Council who were made chairmen responsible for areas falling under their designation and to draw up guidelines in these specific areas.

The guidelines drawn by the Art Committee and dated January 19, 1988 were passed on to the Gozo Cultural Committee. They included proposals intended to give a boost to artistic knowledge and awareness among students as well as measures which the Gozo Ministry could implement as regards the existing indoor and outdoor artistic heritage, and to provide innovative ideas that could be carried out to enhance the art sector in Gozo.

Some of the proposals were never heeded, for some unknown reason. Others were brought to fruition, especially that concerning the concept of an art school now known as the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts in Għajnsielem. I had already brought this subject to public attention in a televised interview on TVM in summer 1971 in the Gozo programme It-Tokk directed by Paul Mizzi. Further to the proposals, an art centre was also suggested at the Banca Giuratale and the establishment of a fine art museum was also proposed so that art appreciation would be more tangible.

Other proposed measures which were not fully implemented but which were taken up by private initiative included a series of public monuments to honour prominent Gozitans and the restoration of monuments. Even public places and civic areas were considered for embellishment purposes.

Hence, efforts were continually made for the artistic heritage of Gozo to be preserved for posterity while initiatives were being undertaken to promote the arts in all media. Maybe priorities unknown to us did not allow the initiatives to gain ground. Nowadays, thanks to a greater awareness of the arts, a number of projects are being promoted and appreciation of our heritage has flourished over the years.