Foreword

In my foreword to the last Annual Report, I set out several targets. Topping the list was the launching of the MEMORJA portal and the fruition of the European Digital Treasures project, including the exhibitions. I also mentioned the project of a new national archives building, one of the electoral targets of the outgoing legislature that is crucial to our future. I look back with satisfaction as we achieved several targets – at least those that depended on our institution and personnel.

The MEMORJA project reached an important milestone through the launching of the online portal. This made it possible for the public to start enjoying the wealth of data that has been gathered. It also gave new visibility to the project, widening the network of collaborators in terms of interviewees, donors of records and other stakeholders. We are currently analyzing the user interaction within this portal and training more interviewers who can keep up the momentum with the capturing of the people’s memories.

The European Digital Treasures (EDT) project, that is supported under the Creative Europe programme also reached all its targets on time and within budget. During the last year, we developed three exhibitions that will span throughout 2022. This involved the planning, tendering, refurbishing of the chapel and anteroom, the writing of the six catalogues, and the assembly of the exhibitions. We were also directly or indirectly involved in the twenty‑seven actions of the projects. I can report our satisfaction with all actions, particularly the competition for youths where they interpret documents from the exhibitions. I congratulate the three Maltese participants who successfully represented Malta.

I cannot say that the last year did not bring some disappointments. We had hoped to present to the public the concept design of the new national archives building prior to the end of the legislature. Due to a few setbacks, this did not materialize. However, the work that went into the internal planning and consultation is still an investment we will rely upon in the coming months. I would like to thank the National Archives of France for the technical support they have provided us and the Ministerial Committee that also did its best to try and see this project materialize.

During the year under review, we were also asked to take over the running of the Notarial Archives. This was a vision we had expressed more than fifteen years ago but was not entertained at that time. This challenge came at a time when the Chief Notary to Government had already invested heavily in turning the institution into a state‑of‑the‑art research facility. During 2021, Parliament enacted the necessary legislative amendments to vest all the legal powers of the running of this institution onto the National Archives. We also welcomed three conservators and two paleographers who were employed with the Chief Notary to Government but are now employees of the National Archives. The project also involved us in hundreds of meetings with all stakeholders, mainly the contractors working on the project, Architect Jean Frendo who is monitoring the technical side, and Notary Dr Keith German who is the person responsible for the European funded project. Other meetings were held with the Notarial Archives Foundation on the best possible collaboration procedures we need to forge for the future.

The various projects together with COVID‑19 did not keep us from continuing with our long‑term plans. These included the extensive up‑keeping of the repositories and the gradual development of the National Audio‑Visual Institute. The latter project was enhanced through the recruiting of an audio‑visual archivist who has already carried out an extensive assessment of all our audio‑visuals. It is envisaged that during the coming year, we will formalise the parameters of this project.

2021 was also the year during which we commemorated the centenary from Malta’s Self‑Government Constitution. The publishing of a calendar and book to commemorate this event were successful both in terms of the publications produced but also in forging greater collaboration with other stakeholders in the sector, such as the History Department at the University of Malta. In terms of publications, we also launched a new initiative – the National Archives of Malta Monograph Series.

Another stakeholder we collaborated with was the Department of Library, Information and Archive Sciences at the University of Malta. This collaboration helped in the establishment of new Master courses in the library, information, and archives domain. This will make it possible for specialisation and more doctoral studies in this sector.

I look forward with optimism for the coming year. It is a year during which we will open the research facilities of the Notarial Archives, resulting in the first reading room managed by our entity in Valletta. Another project which we hope will assume utmost priority is that of the new national archive building. This is not a building that will cater only for the wishes of the lovers of the sector or to fulfill the crave of enthusiasts of a particular hobby. This is a national institution without which democracy would be limited and the memory of the nation would risk falling into a state of amnesia.

Our firm commitment is to see a state‑of‑the‑art national archive building that offers adequate protection for our archival treasures and the audio‑visual component of our cultural identity. Without the new building, such targets cannot be achieved. Future generations will condemn us if, during a phase of extensive funding for culture and widespread construction all over the country, we do not find the space, funding, and motivation to provide the country with such a core infrastructure.

Dr Charles J. Farrugia

National Archivist and CEO