In a statement, The Friends of the National Archives of Malta expressed their disappointment that even this year’s Budget has not allocated funds for a new Archives’ building. This project had been promised in the last two electoral manifestos of the Labour Party.
On 3rd June 2019, public land at Ta’ Qali was officially transferred to the National Archives for this purpose during a public ceremony to which all the press and media were invited. After some time, however, when several plans had already been drawn up, other structures started to be constructed on this land and not the promised new National Archives.
In their statement, The Friends of the National Archives of Malta emphasised they often insisted with the authorities and ministries concerned that this is a very essential project as in the present archival sites it is not possible to provide the specialised care necessary for the documents and other material deposited there. They also stated there is not enough space to house all the collections that are frequently being received for the national collection.
However, they are still hoping that the new National Archives will be constructed during this legislature. “It is only in this way that we can safeguard our people’s patrimony for the future in a professional and scientific way” they wrote. “These documents are unique and contain the story of our nation over the centuries. If they are lost due to deterioration processes because of the lack of adequate housing as demanded by archival science we would be losing precious primary sources for our nation’s history and part of our national identity.”
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