Three theatre spaces will be benefitting from funds for major structural works following the evaluation of applications submitted under strand 2 of the Theatre Spaces Funding Scheme - another electoral pledge fulfilled.
This is indeed a very important initiative as it brings to the forefront theatre within local communities.
Through this project, we are ensuring that these three spaces, found in the heart of the community, are restored back for their original purpose, and also are improved for better use in the local culture and arts scene. Our strategy as a government is to make sure that this sector is accessible to all, and through this programme, we are instilling a love towards theatre within the community by providing a regenerated theatre space for the public to explore their talent and garner a greater love for this art.
The three theatres, Teatru Salesjan in Sliema, Teatru Pandora in Żejtun and the Blue Arena Theatre in Żabbar will be benefitting from a total of €1,000,000 between them over the span of two years to address major structural works in the three theatre spaces.
The scheme in general aims at ensuring that there is a legacy to the study "Spazji Teatrali - A Catalogue of Theatres in Malta" which had identified and gathered important information about different theatre spaces around Malta and Gozo. The scheme provides the financial means to make significant improvements in the selected spaces leading to the spaces becoming more functional and professional.
In 2018, strand 1 of the scheme, aimed at smaller projects, invested a total of €60,000 in another five different projects. Amongst the beneficiaries were Teatru Metanoia in Luqa, Teatru Astra in Victoria Gozo and the MADC Clubhouses.
In response to a clear need within the sector, this year, strand 2 of the scheme was introduced with the aim of investing in larger-scale infrastructural works with the intention of restoring or improving the functionality of the theatre spaces whilst making them more in line with professional standards.
This was, in fact, the common thread linking the three theatre spaces selected for the scheme. The funds will specifically help the theatres to either become once again functional, or to change their functionality to accommodate a wider range of artistic activity. This in order to actively contribute to the creative ecology by now being able to offer an altogether new or different artistic programme within the different communities.
The three selected projects are potential performative sites and the awarded funds are an investment to make these theatres professionally functional. We will strive to have these funds available on an annual basis.
The Theatre Spaces Funding Scheme is managed jointly by Arts Council Malta and Teatru Malta.
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Restoration is an ongoing process. Even during these summer days, the Restoration Directorate is continuing with the vast projects of restoration around the island.
I visited two of these projects this week, the Fort Madliena and the Parish Church in Żejtun. Two different sites, but both a great gem of inheritance from our forefathers.
The Restoration Directorate - within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government - is restoring the entrance of Fort Madliena, which was extensively damaged, and partially collapsed due to heavy rainfall last April and also another phase of the Żejtun Parish Church - the north façade of the Cathedral of the East, as it is colloquially known.
Through the intervention at Fort Madliena, we are aiding to preserve further and restore our country's historical monuments and sites, which form an intrinsic aspect in the shaping of our identity as Maltese. Not only are we ensuring a safer passage to the Fort, which is another remnant of the British period in Malta, but we are also securing the entryway by making it more accessible and nearer to the original.
Collapsed material has been removed as well as safety hazards on site. Following the execution of these works, which were carried out with immediate effect, the Restoration Directorate will, in the coming weeks, take in hand the restoration of the entrance.
Fort Madliena dates back to 1878-1880. It is one of the three forts built by the British along the Victoria Lines and takes its name from the chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalene which stood on the site in the 15th century.
Works have also started on the north façade of Żejtun Parish Church - a project which is now in its second phase, as last year a total of 890 square metres of the south façade were restored.
Works on this façade are envisaged to be completed by the end of December with an investment of €150,000.
The Church of St Catherine is the seat of the archpriest of Żejtun and the mother church of various parishes established from the originally larger territory of the Żejtun parish. The parish church, its oratory and an adjacent pastoral centre form a complex of Grade 1 and 2 listed buildings in the centre of town.
The church, dating from the late 17th century, was designed in the Maltese baroque style by Lorenzo Gafà and its construction was part of an urbanisation programme in Żejtun spearheaded by Gregorio Bonici. The church is one of the most famous and most recognisable sights of Żejtun, with a dome which dominated the town's skyline for 300 years.
It also houses various important pieces of art, such as The Martyrdom of St Catherine, an 18th century copy of the artwork by Mattia Preti in the Church of St Catherine in Valletta.
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The Restoration Directorate is currently undergoing numerous projects to restore historic buildings found around the island, especially since these hold great historical significance. Our localities are filled with extraordinary buildings and monuments which map our history and culture and play an intrinsic role in the shaping of our identity as Maltese. Through restoration and conservation, we are not only honouring our heritage, but we can ensure that these sites are more accessible, especially to future generations.
Again I thank the Directorate and its workers for their effort to regenerate our localities and bring to the forefront the importance that these historic buildings carry.