Through a scheme launched by the Ministry for Gozo a project is being funded, to purchase a number of display cabinets for use in the residence of Karmni Grima, which is to be a Museum [1]. This is being coordinated by a committee within the Ta’ Pinu National Shrine.
The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono visited the museum, which is currently undergoing works of conservation and restoration being undertaken with the support of an EU financial grant of 85% on a project cost of €400,000, under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for Malta 2007 -2013.
The Minister said “that the Ministry for Gozo fully supports this project and will be helping through the purchase of four showcases for displaying the religious and traditional artifacts which belonged to Karmni Grima and her family. The scheme was launched as part of the action plan eco-Gozo from 2010-2012.”
“Through this project, the Ta’ Pinu National Shrine will be joining the Ministry for Gozo as well as others who are collectively working to protect and promote cultural heritage on Gozo. Religious tourism is an important niche in the tourism sector of the island and undoubtedly sites like this museum will be instrumental in improving the experience of visitors who seek out this type of tourism in Gozo,” the Minister concluded.
The project of restoration and conservation of Karmni Grima House Museum includes structural work, the installation of new lighting systems with an audio-visual presentation of the life of Karmni Grima and the message received from our Lady from the Ta’ Pinu Chapel, the installation of a lift so that the museum is accessible to everyone, as well as installing a solar powered electricity system.
This is all part of the project ‘Discovering Cultural and Religious Tourism in Gozo’ and also involves the restoration of 12 paintings, by Maltese artist, Joseph Briffa, which are worked in mosaic.