A genuine cause for celebration
Tens of thousands of people literally packed Tritons Square to the brim last Tuesday. The imposing Fountain, which has been recently restored to its full glory, was almost dwarfed by a sea of well-wishers who responded to the call of celebration and unity
Owen Bonnici is the Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government
Elsewhere Workers’ Day is used as an opportunity to voice protest and anger against the status quo and this year was no exception. In various countries unrest ensued and scenes of violence and anger were caught on camera for all the world to see.
In Malta it is different. Workers and families in their thousands joined forces to celebrate the achievements we have done together.
In a very strong speech Prime Minister Joseph Muscat lauded the most important reforms which we have undertaken in the past five years, including measures which are aimed to strengthen the rule of law and justice. However he did not shy away from listing the challenges which lie ahead (such as housing) and explained what his Government is going to do to overcome those challenges.
Indeed, it was a truly remarkable event.
Walking out from the restored Square, I could feel a strong sense of optimism and positivism permeate through the hearts and minds of the people who attended this mass celebration.
Dom Mintoff
Dom Mintoff was another huge political persona who mesmerised the audience with strong speeches on Workers’ Day in the past.
In all honesty, I can only speak about what Dom Mintoff said and did from what I read and was told since I was too young to remember anything during his time. However, his legendary speeches are cast in the psyche of the vast majority of the Maltese population and last Tuesday Workers’ Day attendees could not resist drawing parallels and comparisons between their hero of the past and their hero of the present.
Dom Mintoff will have his official monument put up in Castille Square in the coming days. Heritage Malta has done a sterling job to bring this project to fruition and GHRC has offered its full support in its role as administrator of Castille Square.
I am sure that the event will revive a lot of memories for a lot of people about Dom Mintoff.
I thank sculptor Noel Galea Bason for the effort he has put in to make a brilliant piece of art, fitting for such a huge political persona. I also thank the family of Mr Mintoff, particulary Dr Yana, for their crucial assistance and co-operation.
The Grand Palace
This week we launched a EUR 10 million (EU-funded) regeneration project of the Presidential Palace.
The Presidential Palace is one of the most important landmarks of the Maltese islands and will see the greatest investment since Independence. Many people remember the Palace as the place where Parliament used to meet between 1921 and 2015.
Unfortunately, to this day, crucial areas of the Palace are still being used by offices – such as those of the Office of the Attorney General. All those offices will be relocated elsewhere and the Palace will be given back in its entirety to the general public.
The highlight of the restoration works will be the Armoury which will be relocated to the main Hall of the Palace as it was in the past.
All this could be made possible by means of crucial and planning and application works which were undertaken in the last legislature by our teams at the Culture Ministry, Heritage Malta and the Restoration Directorate. It is indeed a huge personal pleasure for me to be able to reap the benefits of the planning works which we have undertaken in the last five years. The results will, of course, be evident for all to see once the project will be finished in four years’ time.
This is not the only project which will be undertaken in the field of culture through EUfunds. Apart from the Valletta 2018 flagship project MUZA (which is nearing completion), we will also undertake capital projects such as the Contemporary Art Space (MICAS), the Gozo Museum and the Design Cluster. Each project is capably being headed by dedicated team leaders and experts in the field and will be duly inaugurated one after the other in the coming months and years.
This is the difference we are making for a better Malta.
Cultural Activities in Local Band Clubs
In the last couple of days we also launched the second edition of a fund aimed at assisting local band clubs.
This fund is managed by Għaqda Każini tal-Banda and by Arts Council Malta and focuses on strengthening the work done by band clubs. These clubs can be described as vital centres that organise ongoing cultural activities. Their role in local communities is of significant importance and they form an integral part of the country’s cultural and social fabric. Not only do they offer music lessons at no cost, but they also organise cultural activities all year round which help to safeguard our cultural traditions. Our strategy is to ensure an inclusive and accessible culture and through this fund we’re aiding the community to safeguard traditions and objects of historical value and the professionalisation within the sector as well.
Band clubs play an important role in a community as they often serve as the stepping stone for children and young people to be introduced to the world of the arts and culture. Whilst their main activity is the village festa, cultural and traditional activities are organised all year round which include teaching music at no cost, musical concerts, exhibitions during different periods in relation to Catholic feasts, launching of musical productions which include funeral marches and traditional ones as well, and their annual publication to name a few.
This fund is modelled on the previous one which was issued last year, and aims to strengthen the work done by Band Clubs by supporting various initiatives proposed by themselves. This fund aims to support, amongst other initiatives, the restoration of historical objects found in band club buildings, collaborations between band clubs and promoting innovative projects both locally and overseas.
We are already seeing the fruition and ongoing work of the first call in relation to this fund and we would like to keep on encouraging the hard-work done by Band Clubs, who not only strengthen our music culture but they safeguard our cultural traditions as well. All of this work is done on a voluntary basis, and we are committed to keep supporting it.
Our Intangible Heritage
Of course, culture is not only about creative communities but also about the crucial fabric which makes us what we are.
As part of the Government’s strategy to ensure the guarding of our heritage, this year we have started the process to include aspects of our intangible heritage in the renowned UNESCO list of intangible heritage. This list includes items such as gastronomic elements, music, dance and craftsmanship amongst others. A Board which will be tasked to implement the national intangible heritage policy was set up, following the advice to the Culture Directorate, of UNESCO nominated expert Marina Calvo who provided the Directorate with guidance on how to establish a national structure to start the process of a national inventory.
Our islands are bestowed with a rich cultural heritage and it is our duty to safeguard and preserve our intangible cultural heritage for our benefit, and mostly for future generations.
This Board is tasked to receive applications and can also make its recommendations on proposals forwarded by the public to be part of the national inventory. This process will then lead to the proposal for nomination of a number of elements of our cultural heritage to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, hence gaining worldwide recognition.
As a small island nation, we should feel lucky to have such a vast and rich history which in turn provides us with a booming cultural sector. The preservation of our traditions and heritage should always remain at the forefront of our cultural strategy and the strengthening of this sector ensures that our children will inherit a better country with a healthy vibrant culture.