Talking of culture as a community value at a national level brings out interesting observations when looking at it through the perspective of the elderly and those with disability. Indeed, culture is an ongoing expression of a whole nation, encapsulating the centuries-old needs, beliefs and aspirations of successive generations.
It was my pleasure last week to address a distinguished gathering at a seminar organised by Gozo’s national and regional festivities council together with the Valletta 2018 Foundation. We discussed quite an intriguing theme, in that we evaluated the direct and indirect legacy that is to be achieved in Gozo through the celebration of Valletta as the European Capital for Culture during 2018.
Valletta 2018 and beyond
The meeting was, in fact, intended to look beyond V18 itself, which implies that all the preparatory work within the city and around both islands is aimed at benefitting future generations. Culture itself is the cumulative but dynamic heritage of successive communities that have inhabited Malta and Gozo over the centuries and millennia, noting particularly that our Ġgantija Temples lead us back around 5,500 years.
Culture is also composed of the characteristics and knowledge of our ancestors, blended with our own input, defined by everything – from language and religion to cuisine, social habits, music and the arts. In the case of our islands, culture in its widest meaning is the result of the many different societies that came into contact with the Maltese Islands, including lifestyles from neighbouring countries and the artistic expressions of nations that ruled this archipelago for long centuries.
The heritage they left behind, in the form of cultural wealth, can better define the real history of our people, over and above what historians may have written when commissioned by the rulers who, understandably, wanted to depict their stay as solely positive and beneficial to us poor natives. Nonetheless, our historic past of dependence can never be ignored, particularly because it delineates the great feats of our national heroes who led us to complete freedom. Our culture is, in fact, closely knit in our history, with the latter defining the former.
Gozo’s unique heritage
In my speech at the professionally restored Cittadella, I used the saying of the Greek philosopher Pluto: “This city is what it is because our citizens are what they are.” Plato stressed the fact that places reflect people’s lives and, in their physical character, reveal the abilities and aspirations of their inhabitants. It is in this sense that the choice of our capital city at European levels should, de facto, include a fair recognition of our own people on a wider scale, encompassing individual inputs, irrespective of disabilities and age or any other aspect.
The Valletta 2018 Foundation is certainly aware of this definition and the seminar held last Wednesday gave me the welcome opportunity to present further considerations about Gozo’s contribution to this national event. With its unique heritage, Gozo’s identity is an integral part of the national culture. Notwithstanding its insular and regional nature, Gozo has a character and cultural wealth that go far beyond mere demographic numbers or the size of the island.
Fully aware of this, in our own times we are committed to preservation and restoration initiatives, similar to those carried in our majestic Cittadella. Here again, such projects are not an end in themselves, as they are actually meant to be an ongoing process that aims further than set completion. Restoration stems out of appreciation and sets the best example for future generations to treasure the inheritance we leave for their admiration and use. It is a known fact that diligent use of historical buildings is the best form of conservation. It adds life to a legacy that would otherwise become obsolete and consequently ignored and left to decay.
My remit in the cultural scenario
The choice of Valletta as Europe’s cultural capital throughout the coming year has already created additional awareness and appreciation of our national and local heritage. I have always believed that our people need to be exposed to the cultural wealth that surrounds us and bringing people close to what our ancestors have bequeathed to us is the first solid step towards individual and collective appreciation.
Over the past three years, the Parliamentary Secretariat I lead has taken specific initiatives along these lines. We have regularly implemented schemes by which we have assisted and encouraged older people to attend operatic performances in Gozo’s two major theatres in Victoria. We also organise adequate seating for the elderly and people with disabilities to witness the pageantry of the Holy Week processions, as we strongly believe these events are part of our living culture. The memorandum of understanding we entered into with the Malta Council for Science and Technology is another way of bringing the ‘Esplora’ experience closer for these members of our community
A major aspect that gives me great satisfaction when referring to cultural events or tourist venues is that we ensure that they are all accessible to older people and those with a disability. We have, in fact, given legal force, through a specific law to the National Commission for the Rights of People with Disabilities as a regulatory body, to secure full adherence to specific rules in concerning accessibility and inclusion.
Voluntary work in Gozo
I have to mention that most of the cultural organisations or groups on a local, regional or national level are regularly manned by older people who voluntarily contribute through their active ageing to the various activities, be they social, artistic or religious. It is indeed such a positive experience to witness their enthusiasm and commitment to serve as catalysts that link the past with the future.
Voluntary work in Gozo is a precious resource. The high level of voluntary engagement is one of the distinctive features of Gozitan society. Whether acting in groups with an informal structure or others with formal structures, people offering a service on a voluntary basis play a vital role in promoting an inclusive society and an appreciation of our cultural and natural heritage and the long-standing traditions and values of the island.
The real collective culture
At the Valletta 2018 seminar last Wednesday I raised further points on the kind of culture we intend celebrating. Over and above the various monumental wealth we have inherited, we need to focus on – and appreciate more – the basic features of our personal culture, namely our hospitality, our family values and our invaluable sense of solidarity. In my opinion, apart from the prehistoric temples, the majestic basilicas and so many renowned works of art, our human values are the basic element of our people’s real and intrinsic collective culture.
The culture, heritage and identity of the island of Gozo need to be further valued and safeguarded. In the context of sustainable development, these factors need to be made to play a significant role in further developing the island’s potential.
Gozo’s particular identity, not too far from the Maltese identity yet very Gozitan in its own way, has always been what made the island so attractive to settlers from elsewhere, day-trippers and tourists alike. Be it Valletta 2018 or any other national or international event, Gozo is part of the whole and does not exist in a vacuum. We are all aware that the Gozitan lifestyle and its village customs and traditions are a central element in marketing tourism. Progress is also part of our regional and national culture, and we need to preserve and support further the rich cultural and social texture and love of the arts.
The island’s rich cultural calendar is in itself an expression of Gozo’s way of life, combining our people’s skills, beliefs and pride. We can claim a creative arts scene which is possibly, per capita, stronger than that on Malta and I believe that Wednesday’s seminar was, in itself, recognition of this reality, with a commitment to achieve a richer legacy both this year and beyond. In the end, this also forms part of the fair society we are building. The V18 legacy is therefore to make culture accessible to everyone.