A number of activities related to art on the theme of poverty and social exclusion will take place next week in Valletta, with the participation of Wot Art – a tuition group which seeks to interact with participants and society through the common medium of art.  

A spokesperson for the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry said the one week of activities is being held between 9-14  September, when art and culture will be juxtaposed to create greater awareness about poverty and social exclusion. This follows a month of public consultation meetings in July and following which a strategy to address poverty and social exclusion is being drafted with the coordination of Yana Bland Mintoff.

At present around 88,000 people in Malta are living at risk of poverty, hence the government’s commitment to tackle this situation, according to its electoral pledge.

The strategy, being drawn up with the involvement of professionals, academics and NGOs, who met the government during the public consultation meetings and others held with the ministry’s consultants, will be finalised by the end of the year. It will also be discussed by the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

A main activity during the awareness raising week will be an art exhibition by Xandru Mallia and Ryan Galea, tutors at Wot Art. This will be officially opened on Monday at 5pm and will remain open daily between 9am and 7pm, till Saturday.

Every evening, a number of activities including discussions will be held.

Themes for discussion include ‘Poverty and education’ whereby members of the public will be protagonists. Moreover, different bands including No Snow No Alps, Alles Klar, Msleads, and Infinite Loop, will be performing live and the group Freespirit Acting will be producing a short sketch to introduce the daily discussion. 

Throughout the evenings, Wot Art students and children will be invited to draw live on the stairs of Pjazza Teatru Rjal (the opera house ruins). Out of all the drawings, 12 will be chosen to be published in the ministry’s calendar while all students will receive a participation certificate.  

Saturday morning will be entirely dedicated to children who will take part in the final discussion entitled Ninghaqdu Kontra il-Faqar.