An honour for Zejtun, an honour for Malta: this is how I described Dr George Vella's nomination to be Malta's next President.
Unanimously approved by the Cabinet and the Parliamentary Group, I welcome the Opposition’s decision to back and vote for Dr Vella as our next Head of State.
It could not have been a wiser choice. Dr Vella is respected not only by his fellow Żwieten who fondly recall his days as a GP (he is a Specialist in Family Medicine), but also nationwide and in the international diplomatic sphere from his time as Deputy Prime Minister and later as Malta’s Foreign Minister.
Elected for the first time in 1978, and in all general elections that followed, Dr Vella had a strong political career and excelled in diplomacy.
I also join the chorus of appraisals coming from people from all walks of life: George is humble but with unfaltering principles; embraces strong moral values and a gentleman. Most of all, he is a true patriot who always defended our country when needed.
It is interesting to note that Dr Vella will be the second member of the medical profession to take responsibility as Head of State after Censu Tabone, who served between 1989 and 1994.
George will undoubtedly do us proud from day one. As Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in the past days, "I believe that Dr Vella has the essential qualities that are needed for him to carry on the stellar tradition of this country's Heads of State," before praising him on his integrity.
I congratulate our new President and soon-to-be First Lady Mrs Miriam Vella.
It would be amiss should I not thank the outgoing President, H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. When we discussed her Presidency during our weekly Cabinet meeting, we all agreed that our ninth President of the Republic was relentless in her work, kept the presidency with the people and in close proximity to people, leaving a legacy to the nation.
I agree and support the decision that her role should not stop with her presidency, but should continue to give fruit through the foundation she had set up - the Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society.
Marie-Louise, thank you for giving so much to our nation during your political career but also as our 9th President.
+++
With yesterday’s very positive news that Dr Ramona Frendo was formally approved for the post of Judge to the General Court of the EU, Malta will now be represented by two judges to the General Court and another judge to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Dr Frendo was the Maltese nominee for the post of Judge to the General Court of the European Union, and was found to satisfy the necessary criteria by an expert panel and has been approved to perform these duties in accordance with the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
This was confirmed by the Conference of Representatives of Governments of Member States, which convened in Brussels on Wednesday.
This is another honour for our country, and underlines that notwithstanding our geographical size as a European state, we are reaching levels that are making us proud. The smallest country in the EU is giving results, not only in diverse sectors but is also putting forward names with competences to fill high level and important posts in the EU institutions.
I am confident that Ramona, who incidentally also hails from Żejtun, possesses all the necessary competences to fulfil effectively this key position to the best of her abilities.
Good luck Ramona!
+++
“Creativity is contagious, pass it on”, said Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein.
What a beautiful, inspirational and significant quote this is!
Let us all instil creativity in our young generation, lead them to delve into the world of art, and nurture them to grow into a generation of culture enthusiasts, hoping that some will master the art and honour us with their creations!
My ministry is doing just that. We are striving to make culture accessible to all, focusing on our little ones to embed the love of culture when they are still in their young days, but also giving them support in their endeavours.
Last year I was proud that a new scheme by the Malta Arts Council – the Young Talent Fund which supports the participation of young artists and performers in international platforms - festivals, competitions, exhibitions and performances – was beneficiary in helping 8 youths aged between 10 and 17.
This is a programme that complements Arts Council Malta’s vision of placing the arts and creativity at the heart of Malta's future, at a time when young artists are still largely dependent on family support. A fund that offers the same opportunities to all emerging artists, at a time when their talent and life choices are being shaped.
This week I was enthralled with the interest shown by children and youths when I visited workshops being conducted by the 2019 Malta Pavilion artists to bring “La Biennale di Venezia” closer to Maltese students.
Given by three artists taking part in the Malta Pavilion at the 58th international art exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia, Vince Briffa, Trevor Borg, and Klitsa Antoniou, these workshops captivated visiting budding artists of a young age.
I reiterate what I said during the visit, that thanks to making accessible such a high standard international aspect of the Arts Council Malta to students, we can educate and foster an artistic culture of the utmost standards, which looks at both national and international events. Whilst such an investment places Malta on the international map of the artistic sector, it is also contributing to educate our children on art appreciation, and to open their horizons toward the exportation of their talent.
The fact that the workshops are taking place at Għar Dalam, making use of this unique historical site and furthermore enhancing an international concept on a local level.
A uniquely important gesture by the Malta National Pavilion, one that asserts the importance of public engagement in the arts across all ages.
By means of this outreach programme, children, sixth form students, as well as University students in Malta and in Cyprus will participate in a set of creative workshops, supported by Bank of Valletta, to explore the concept of the Malta Pavilion. The students will also produce their own artworks.
A workshop by Vince Briffa, which will run between February and November, will focus on his film installation Outland. The workshops direct students to take a self-reflexive and introspective approach to their work, challenging themselves to work out of their comfort zones in a variety of media.
Artist Trevor Borg also conducted a workshop at the Għar Dalam Cave with students from the Żabbar Primary School.
The workshop consisted of an animated story-telling activity inside the cave followed by a creative workshop. Following this, the students proceeded to the educational room for a creative practical workshop. The artist introduced the students to the Venice Art Biennale and the theme of Malta’s Pavilion for 2019 and explained the task of the workshop and, together with the assistance of other team members, students created imaginary animal remains out of clay.
The other workshop by artist Klitsa Antoniou is being held in Cyprus with first-year Art students of the Fine Arts Department at the Cyprus University of Technology. Following an introduction on Klitsa’s installation at the Malta Pavilion, Atlantropa X, the students will be given the hypothesis that they have to build a bridge/land crossing on the sea. They will first conduct research using drawings and small constructions with various materials.
Maleth / Haven / Port - Heterotopias of Evocation is the title of the selected curatorial project that will represent Malta at the next La Biennale di Venezia in 2019.
The winning team is composed of Hesperia Iliadou Suppiej (lead curator), Vince Briffa (artist), Klitsa Antoniou (artist), Trevor Borg (artist) and Matthew Joseph Casha (architect/designer). The production manager is George Lazoglou.
The Venice Art Biennale is one of the largest exhibitions of contemporary art in the world, and Malta will once again be participating with its own pavilion during the 58th edition of this international art exhibition.
+++
If we pass on creativity, we all will be helping to promote arts and culture, not only to safeguard this important ever-growing sector of our nation, but also to pass on our cultural wealth to our future generations.
The Ministry is doing its part, not only through its entities, but also by supporting voluntary organisations and NGOs working in this sector.
Should we all give culture its due importance; we would continue to be a small but a big happy nation!