L-Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara tinnota b’sodisfazzjon li matul din il-ġimgħa ttellgħet konferenza stampa fejn ġie mħabbar li Xjenza Malta, b’kollaborazzjoni ma’ Infrastructure Malta, qed tniehdi xogħlijiet ta’ konsolidazzjoni fl-irdum u s-swar li jiffurmaw il-peniżola ta’ Bighi. L-għan prinċipali ta’ dan il-proġett huwa sabiex tiġi ndirizzata l-instabbiltà fil-blat li jifforma l-pedament għall-kumpless Esplora, iċ-Ċentru tax-Xjenza, l-uffiċji ta’ Xjenza Malta kif ukoll il-bqija ta’ din il-medda ta’ art. Dawn ix-xogħolijiet huma meħtieġa kemm minħabba s-sigurtà tal-inħawi, kif ukoll għall-preservazzjoni tal-wirt naturali u storiku tal-istess kumpless.

Preżenti għall-konferenza tal-aħbarijiet kien hemm l-Onor. Clifton Grima, Ministru għall-Edukazzjoni, iż-Żgħażagħ, ir-Riċerka u l-Innovazzjoni; l-Onor. Chris Bonett, Ministru tat-Trasport, l-Infrastruttura u x-Xogħlijiet Pubbliċi u l-Onor. Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Segretarju Parlamentari għaż-Żgħażagħ, ir-Riċerka u l-Innovazzjoni. Preżenti wkoll kien hemm Wayne Aquilina, is-Sindku tal-Kalkara; Silvio Scerri, il-Kap Eżekuttiv ta’ Xjenza Malta; Steve Ellul, il-Kap Eżekuttiv ta’ Infrastructure Malta, u Duncan Brincat, is-Segratarju tal-Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara, flimkien ma’ rappreżentanza mill-Kumitat tad-Direzzjoni.

Fi stqarrija l-Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara, filwaqt li tħares ‘il quddiem sabiex jitlesta dan il-proġett tant importanti, tisħaq li issa huwa l-waqt li l-banjijiet storiċi li jinsabu madwar l-istess kosta ta’ Bighi jiġu restawrati ukoll, qabel ma’ dawn l-istrutturi uniċi jintilfu darba għal dejjem. Fil-preżent jinsabu erba’ banjijiet minn sitta li kienu nbnew fis-sena 1876, flimkien ma’ strutturi li kienu jservu biex dawn jiffunzjonaw, li sfortunatament kollha jinsabu fi stat ta’ telqa kbira. L-iskop oriġinali tagħhom kien dak assoċjat mal-fejqan u s-saħħa relatati mal-ilma mielaħ tal-baħar fuq il-ġisem tal-bniedem, il-feriti u kundizzjonijiet oħra. L-Assoċjazzjoni temmet tirrimarka li jkun ħasra jekk tintilef din l-opportunità, filwaqt li kompliet tħeġġeġ biex tinstema l-karba tagħha u tal-poplu Kalkariż għal restawr u użu xieraq tal-Forti Ricasoli.

Link għal informazzjoni storika: https://wirtilkalkara.com/il-banjijiet-ta-bighi/

Restoration work on the bastion-walls of the Bighi complex in Kalkara

Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara satisfactorily notes that during this week a press conference was held announcing that Xjenza Malta, in collaboration with Infrastructure Malta, is launching consolidation works on the cliffs and walls that form the Bighi peninsula. The main aim of this project is to address the instability in the rock formation that forms the foundation for the Esplora complex, the Science Centre, the offices of Xjenza Malta, as well as the rest of the peninsula. These works are necessary both for the safety of the area as well as for the preservation of the natural and historical heritage of the same complex.

Present at the press conference were Hon. Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, Youth, Research and Innovation; Hon. Chris Bonett, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works; and Hon. Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation. Also present were Wayne Aquilina, Mayor of Kalkara; Silvio Scerri, CEO of Xjenza Malta; Steve Ellul, CEO of Infrastructure Malta; and Duncan Brincat, Secretary of Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara, along with representatives from the Directional Committee.

In a statement, Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara, while looking forward to the completion of this important project, emphasized that now is the time for the historic baths located around the same coast of Bighi to be restored as well, before these unique structures are lost forever. Currently, there are four baths out of six that were built in 1876, along with structures that served to make them functional, which unfortunately are all in a state of great neglect. Their original purpose was associated with healing and health stemming from the salty sea water on the human body, wounds, and other conditions. The Association concluded by remarking that it would be a shame if this opportunity is lost, while continued to urge its plea and that of the Kalkara people for the restoration and proper use of Fort Ricasoli to be heard.