Photos credit: Andrew Grima
Cultural heritage has a track record of providing a good return on investment and it also has spill-over effects that lead to further investment and regeneration. This was the main thrust of the presentation of the Secretary General of Heritage Europe, Brian Smith. He was the key note speaker in a recent symposium on fortifications and walled towns.
Heritage Europe is a network of European historic towns, set up following a Council of Europe initiative in Strasbourg in 1999.
Over the years, Heritage Europe lobbied the EU about historic towns’ critical role for the international identity of Europe and also for its competitiveness in the world. With other partners, Heritage Europe drafted a strategy for tapping into the full potential of heritage by showing its value and impact, which is not just economic but also social and environmental. The EU accepted that case resulting in various EU policy and funding initiatives relating to historic towns.
Cultural heritage contributes to the quality of life, providing character and ambience to neighbourhoods, towns and regions across Europe. It makes them popular places to live, work in and visit and attractive to residents, tourists and the creative industries. In his presentation, Mr. Smith gave tangible examples from across Europe on how cultural heritage benefits communities.
The other speakers at the symposium included Joseph Spiteri, President of European Walled Towns, Leslie Vella of the Malta Tourism Authority, Perit Norbert Gatt of the Rehabilitation Directorate and Anne Scicluna , former Mayor of Chichester, UK. The Institute for Tourism, Travel & Culture's (ITTC) Dr Marie Avellino, Prof. George Cassar and Dr John Ebejer also gave presentations.
The symposium was organised by the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture at the University of Malta and European Walled Towns. EWT is an international association that promotes sustainable development of fortified historic towns and cities in Europe. Dr. John Ebejer was co-organiser on behalf of the ITTC.
