In recent years, thanks to the efforts of a few individuals, there has been a tremendous improvement in the ethics of restoration and conservation projects in Malta. We had started to see better respect for conservation principles, making sure that as much of the original appearance is kept and making sure that intervention is kept to the lowest minimum necessary thus ensuring authenticity and integrity.

However, in recent months we have seen some projects being inaugurated that are a far cry from these principles. In particular I wish to refer to the work being done in St John's Co-Cathedral.

The gilding of the Cappella d'Italia was beautifully done, respecting the original gilding and with the new gilding toned down as much as possible. The gilding recently done in the other chapels is simply too overdone and too "loud".

What is more worrying is the project of the Crucifixion sculptures. The result is too blaringly white with a very plastic texture. This project cannot be called a conservation project and is almost even beyond a restoration project.

Under modern conservation and restoration ethics we must respect the original work of art and not make it look at if it was done yesteday.We should be much more careful in the way these projects are done and we have no right to make our own interpretation.