Emma Borg
Strada Stretta is arguably one of Malta's most well-known streets due to it historically being a centre of indulgence and promiscuity. It is famously known as a street that was home to many brothels and drunkard deviants alike, yet a forgotten element of this street was its role as a space for the dissemination and exchange of knowledge. Due to its proximity to the port, people of various cultures and backgrounds inevitably conversed with locals of different social classes sharing songs and stories of their homeland. Strada Stretta become a centre for cultural exchange and debate and this is the aspect that Dr. Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci, the artistic director of the Strada Stretta Concept, wants to bring back and let flourish.
The Strada Stretta Concept, under the auspices of the Valletta 2018 Foundation, is now being turned into a multicultural artistic hub. This is possible due to the numerous events which include artistic exhibitions, theatre productions, seminars, symposia, talks, street theatre, night events and jamming sessions all which take place within various sites of the street itself. Two events coming up in particular show the diversity of projects the Strada Stretta Concept is willing to tackle.
One is called 'Mosaic-Għana-Mużajk' which will feature the work of French photographer and artist Katel Delia, aka Katelia who will be joining forces with an għannejja group from Żejtun, who will be performing live on the night. Katel was introduced to Ta' Ġanna bar in Żejtun, where she has family ties, where she got to know għana and the għannejja who frequented the bar. She swiftly began to take photos of the għannejja and to record their life at the bar. Katel now has a collection of over 800 photos which have been turned into a mosaic that highlights what għana means for her. The purpose of this event is not only to exhibit the fantastic work of Katel Delia but to also to showcase għana which is described by Dr Schembri Bonaci as "one of the last remnants of our Malteseness." He truly wants to bring one of Malta's most subversive cultures forward into the present and show it for what it is after years of it being forced to remain on the margins of Maltese culture. The aim is to present a genre of music that is free as well one that is brave, intricate and, without a doubt, intelligent.
The other event that the Strada Stretta Concept will be organising is called 'Strada Stretta Sieged ... by the Turks'. This will be an evening of readings by Dr Schembri Bonaci and music by pianist Emel Hasanoglu. The title itself is a pun, as the event will be exploring Turkish poetry and literature. The main theme of the event is the loss of roots, an unfortunate reality that has been ever-present in human history and is something that has affected almost every nation at one time or another. We see this throughout history with the numerous revolutions and genocides that have unfolded, people losing their homes and all that is familiar, yet somehow within all that adversity hope stays alive. This event will be highlighting the Turkish history of loss and cultural transformation and the hope that results nonetheless. This adversity will be demonstrated with the recital of true stories and Turkish literature as well as Turkish and Balkan classical music being played on the piano by Hasanoglu.
Without a doubt both events will surely open people's minds to subjects which are unfortunately neglected. Even when subjects do not deal directly with Maltese culture, they may still emphasise the common elements between people of varying backgrounds and cultures, showing that all can somehow relate to the same questions. Such events pay homage to Strada Stretta as a place of exchange, evincing new cultural trajectories by not simply bringing the street to life but also by showcasing interesting and varying conversations.
'Mosaic-Għana-Mużajk' will take place on 26 April and 'Strada Stretta Sieged ... by the Turks' will take place on 1 May at Splendid, Strait Street