Restoration work on the stained glass windows at the Ta’ Pinu National Shrine is well underway.
The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, visited the National Shrine to view the ongoing works on the windows, which are being carried out by Mr Joseph Meilak, a master glass artisan from Gozo.
These works are being carried out under the project entitled ‘Discovering cultural and religious tourism in Gozo, 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 and the co-financing from the office of the Parliamentary Secretary for Consumers, Fair Competition, Local Councils and Public Dialogue. This financial aid includes also the restoration works on 12 works of art by Maltese artist, Joseph Briffa.
The restoration works at the museum included minor structural and conversion works, new electrical installation, an audio visual presentation on the life of Karmni Grima, the installation of a lift to make the museum accessible to all and the installation of photovoltaic cells to improve the energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
The Ta’ Pinu National Shrine was also the beneficiary of a grant of €50,000 from the Ministry for Gozo under the funding schemes launched in 2011 for eco-Gozo projects being implemented by NGOs. The project, entitled “Religious artifacts on public display to add value to the Gozo Cultural and Historical Heritage & Tourist Product,” were utilised to purchase a number of display cabinets as part of the restoration and conversion works at the residence of Karmni Grima [1], which will further this cultural and religious experience by displaying the many religious and traditional artifacts found in this residence and which belonged to Karmni Grima and her family.