I have been given the privilege to shadow the sectors of Culture, the Arts, and Valletta Capital of Culture 2018. Many have argued that these areas are somewhat less important than the sectors of Health and Education, which I was responsible for and shadowed respectively. In the ambit of the novel type of politics that the new PN is ushering in, Culture and the Arts take a central role in the molding of the society to be. Yes, culture is also about our village festas, about the luzzu, and about pastizzi and it will be my mission to nurture these symbols of Maltese society, but they are only a small, visible part of the whole wealth of knowledge, experience and values that have made Malta what it is.  

My task is to look to the future, to promote the sowing of the seeds of a new society, a new Maltese society – proud of its past and ready to stand out in the future.In order for this to happen we have to start now.We owe it to our citizens, present and future.  The PN has always been a positive agent – the promoter of change and achievement for Maltese society.  Simon Busuttil represents the new PN, his vision builds on the good that the PN accomplished for Maltese society, that good that Joseph Muscat flaunted so opportunistically in the run-up to the last general election.The PN will not wait to be returned to Government to start sowing the seeds, we are determined to see our vision become reality from now. It is why we are spelling out our vision immediately so that everyone can be part of what we want the future Malta to look like.

To begin with, let’s focus on the aspect of culture, what is culture?

Culture manifests itself in the ways we behave with each other, our work ethos, the priorities that we choose for ourselves, how we achieve our common objectives, and the way we adapt together, as a nation, in order to be relevant for tomorrow.  This impacts across all sectors of society, from the farmer in our fields to the magistrates and the lawyers in our law courts. Simply put, it is the way of life in Malta, the way people live in Malta and the way people in Malta do things.I chose my words carefully.  I wrote people in Malta, not the Maltese, forthese islands will be increasingly inhabited by people, families and groups that do not originate from Malta.Consequently, Maltese culture will evolve in order to embrace these new influences.  But will these influences be assimilated or integrated?Will they be imposed or will they be welcomed and embraced?

Maltese culture is best described as a ‘melting pot’ of Mediterranean cultures.  There is nothing new, what has happened before will continue to happen, only at a faster rate – after all we are living in a globalized and boundary-less world.Let us therefore start now shaping the 'way of life' of anybody living and working in Malta.

Now, if there is a political party in Malta that symbolizes education, learning and empowerment it is the PN, and it is through these powerful tools that the new PN wants to pass on a winning culture to the next generations.It recognizes the importance of working upon culture, which helps Malta, as a nation, to choose the ways its citizens are to behave towards each other, to grow and thrive together as a nation, to cultivate common interests, to establish and attain common goals, to compete with each other wand with the rest of the world fairly and respectfully but with determination and competence.  This is why my work will permeate across all the shadow cabinet, the seeds will be sown across all the field and not in a solitary pot.Simon Busuttil has asked me to start helping him from now, to start shapingpositively the outlook, attitudes, values, morals, and aspirations of Malta’s present and futuresociety.

Of course, I will be actively working on the concept of high culture, that is, the rich palate for the arts and humanities. We have a glorious heritage and we have to leverage on the wealth that we have, because it is the envy of other nations, and what gives us special.  We also have unique traditions, and an arts scene that deserves to be taken to more professional heights. This is why culture and the arts are so interlinked, and why this country has a unique opportunity with Valletta Capital of Culture, which should nurture professionalism and help our artists deservedly attain more international recognition. Unfortunately, the decisions that Joseph Muscat has taken in relation to this subject do not augur well.The PN is committed to helping the Government make a success out of this event. With our help and collaboration, Government will be able to shift its vision and target excellence. The PN does not intend to let Malta down. It is ready to contribute actively and positively towards national success that will make all Maltese proud.  Will Joseph Muscat take up this offer, or will he again take a negative approach and go it alone 

 

Culture is what makes our nation unique, it is shaped by what we believe in and by the values of the people that live in Malta and Gozo. It reflects how we understand what is happening around us and what is affecting our lives. Appealing to these wants and feeding on these aspirations is what a marketer does.Hats off to Joseph Muscat for his sales skills. However, wanting to shape these needs today in order to ensure that we are collectively prepared for tomorrow,even if one may not reap the benefits oneself, is the hallmark of a statesman.  This is why I consider it a privilege that Simon Busuttil has asked me to focus on Culture and the Arts.

Dr Joe Cassar is Nationalist Party spokesman for arts and culture