Malta ARCH – is a collective group of citizens – whose goals are to “protect Malta and Gozo’s beautiful natural landscape from unnecessary development, to protect Maltese cultural heritage, and safeguard Malta’s numerous archaeological sites from destruction.”

In a statement, it highlighted the fact that “overdevelopment has become a prevalent and malevolent issue dominating Malta and Gozo. It seems like new construction sites are erected each week, and nowhere is safe.”

“From the iconic Temples of Ggantija to Dahlet Qorrot in Nadur, Gozo is quickly being overrun by unnecessary development that poses a serious risk to Maltese and Gozitan heritage, culture and ecology,” the organisation said.

In response to the “barrage of unnecessary, unsustainable and destructive development being planned throughout Gozo,” Malta-ARCH said that it is hosting an online art-exhibition taking place on Friday, the 23rd of April, from 6:30-8:30pm and will feature prominent artists like Angele Galea, Anna Grima, Marlene Saliba, and Renzo Spiteri.

This Zoom event – Our Voices, Our Land: Artists Unite to Save Gozo – will include film, music, poetry and visual art following the theme of protecting natural, cultural and archaeological beauty in Gozo.

It will also highlight up-and-coming innovators like Antonella Bugeja, Justin Cauchi, Martha Champion, Alessio Cuschieri, Nicola Dennis, and Chelsea Muscat.

MALTA-Arch said that it has also released a petition as a call to action for citizens across Malta and Gozo to speak out about this “plague of construction” and to “set the precedent for future developers who wish to desolate the beauty of our islands.” So far, the petition has garnered over 800 signatures from citizens across Gozo and Malta.

“We call on Maltese citizens and residents to unite together and work to protect Maltese heritage and landscape,” they said.

Through art and performance, Malta-ARCH explained that it draws attention to issues like the destruction of archaeological features of tal-Qares in Mosta or the proposed development looming over Ggantija (a report was recently submitted by the organisation to the World Heritage Watch who will consult with UNESCO on this matter).

“We also collaborate with other activist groups like Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar and Moviment Graffitti to call Maltese citizens together and draw attention to pressing issues regarding Maltese heritage and landscape,” it said.

For more information please view the facebook page or website.

Photo: Mario Xerri

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