“A culture in favour of culture and the arts is called for. We need to understand and appreciate the talent of and the hard work put in by artists in different fields, be it in the production of different forms of music, choreography, drama, film making, visual arts, animation, and broadcasting”

Budget 2010 has been approved through all its stages. One aspect of it should not go unnoticed. It’s the first to pay considerable attention to the concept of creative industries.

We are all used to measuring wealth and the state of our economy by referring to the number of gainfully occupied, Gross Domestic Product and whether or not the national economy is expanding or contracting. These gauges of measurement remain important and the priority of the government remains that of safeguarding and creating jobs. Having said that the trend in modern economies has been to shift attention to new units of measurement that take into consideration not only what a person is earning, but also that person’s lifestyle, and in turn do that from a national perspective.

Culture and the arts are deserving of our attention, whether or not they generate wealth in the traditional sense. It is moreover proven that investment in these fields does lead to further economic growth apart from emphasising a country’s national identity. The argument applies even more strongly in our case when we can use our culture as well as a vibrant visual and performing arts’ scene to act as magnets that attract to us more tourists.

In his budget speech, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech was clear: “Creativity is the engine of the global economy. Those countries capable of developing and supporting an environment where the creative talent of the population is brought forth and prospers are the countries most capable to support their economic and social development. The creative areas of the economy, which include ICT, films, arts and design, as well as performing arts and others, create a lot of high value added work, support other sectors within the economy like tourism, manufacturing and other sectors, and at the same time create a vibrant and innovative environment in those contexts where these sectors develop. Thus, even the people’s quality of life improves. We will therefore continue to offer incentives to this sector consistently with the Vision 2015 to make our country a centre of excellence in various sectors, including that of creativity.”

Various specific incentives follow that statement, ranging from offering fiscal benefits to assist Maltese authors publish their works, to offering the right assistance for production of Maltese films.

A culture in favour of culture and the arts is called for. We need to understand and appreciate the talent of and the hard work put in by artists in different fields, be it in the production of different forms of music, choreography, drama, film making, visual arts, animation, and broadcasting.

When St James Cavalier was set up, it was not merely about transforming a Cavalier that had been used as a printing press into an open centre for different forms of art, it was also about setting up a multi functional Centre for Creativity. It was meant to become over time part of a far bigger picture by linking it to the Opera House site which was earmarked for development into a performing arts’ centre of the highest calibre – including but not limited to Opera. The use of the same site for the Malta Arts Festival again pertained to that design and proved that Valletta and the rest of the country can benefit even in economic terms through such initiatives, as manifested by ‘Notte Bianca’, ‘Notte Magica’ and many other events that have become part of our annual calendar and way of life.

Towards the end of his speech on the budget, the Prime Minister emphasised that he assured persons who believe in the performing arts’ scene, including opera lovers, will not be let down. One of the best ways to address that target would be to ensure that the Opera House site becomes an all-year-round venue for events and for the performing arts.

Investing further in culture and the arts enhances our national identity and gives added value to what political life must be about. It is about expressing the legitimate aspirations of the people – remaining close to them. That is what has always lured me into the political arena and what makes me determined to remain active within that arena. It is not merely a question of contesting general elections as I have every intention to carry on doing – it is also and more importantly about keeping a sincere contact with the people in between one election and another.

The message in favour of promoting the arts’ scene especially within the context of plans for the regeneration of our capital city is one of the messages that is being strongly made to me by the people with whom I am keeping closely in touch.

Francis Zammit Dimech is a Nationalist MP