Within the framework of the programme Interreg III A Italy-Malta and supported by the European Union, the Comune of Ragusa in partnership with Mosta local council, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, CESIS – the Centre for Studies and Initiatives for local and integrated development – and Cinema Nuovo Italiano, are working on the transfrontieral project SMART “Sicilia del Sud-Est–Malta: radici comuni e tradizioni popolari e religiose” (Southeast Sicily–Malta: common roots and religious and folk traditions).
The main aim of the project is the evaluation of the roots and historical traditions common to the two localities, of which any strong element of one could help in the possible development of the socio-economic development together with other local potentials in the agricultural, artisan and, first and foremost the tourist sectors.
Smart’s primary objective is the diversification of the local tourist packet, so that the project focuses on the discovery of local and intercultural identity aspects and the diffusion of the knowledge of the common roots and different traditions in order to help sustain them.
The main objectives of the Smart project are to work for the socio-economic integration of the south-eastern coast of Sicily, with particular reference to Ragusa, and Malta; generate various processes of cooperation between the two countries with the aim of reviving the immaterial cultural heritage of transfrontieral interest; promote an innovative management of the immaterial and material cultural heritage reaping major results.
Therefore, the main aims of the SMART project are expected to be the identification of the most important folklore aspects (including the popular and the religious) common to both areas; the organisation of specific meetings to create intercultural dialogue and debate; the promotion of a cultural, tourist circuit by means of initiatives in the most important cultural sites from the historical and architectural perspective; and the actuation of a development plan to value and promote the identity of the transfrontieral area.
A seminar was held on 2 and 3 December at the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, and another one is being organised by the Mosta local council at the Sala tal-Kunsill, Mosta on 16 and 17 December.
Papers will be presented by Dr Domenico Arezzo on Giufà, the Sicilian wise fool, Brian Bonnici on Malta’s carnival celebrations, Anna Borg-Cardona on large cowries in the Mediterranean, Prof. Joseph Brincat on linguistic aspects of Maltese, Prof. Carmel Cassar on cheese in folk culture, Miriam Cremona on Maltese folk dancing, Dr Joseph F. Grima on the cult of St George in Qormi and Ragusa, George Mifsud-Chircop on Maltese high-pitched folk singing, Marlene Mifsud-Chircop on L-Imnarja, Giovanni Portelli on Sicilian costume, Rev. Carmelo Tidona on St John’s festa celebrations in Ragusa, and Julian Zarb on Maltese gastronomy and tourism.