The very good cultural events which are taking place during this very busy Summer are breathing life back in our communities.  They come in all kinds and cultural genres and show first of all the fantastic cultural talent we have on the island, and secondly they are testament to the support the Government is continuously giving to that same talent.

Some events are organised by the Government itself, others are collaborations with the private sector and others still are organised by the NGOs or private entities with our financial support.  Be it jazz, dance, ghana, opera, performing arts, concerts, visual arts, drama, musicals, you name it you have it.

I am really proud of the work which is being undertaken and I believe that this Summer will be one of the best ever in terms of cultural events.

Children’s voice is crucial

A discussion was held in my office with several students aged between 9 and 13 years, during which they shared their thoughts about art and culture in an informal manner. 

This meeting aimed to gather various ideas and suggestions, raising awareness about what our students want when it comes to culture. Amongst the recommendations made during this meeting, there was the need to strengthen Maltese cultural traditions and our identity, as well as the need to understand better the different types and aspects of the cultural sector.

I stressed the importance of giving children a voice and the opportunity to express their views and thoughts. Adults must recognise the need to give due priority to what the upcoming generations think while at the same time involving them in our communities.

We will keep listening to children’s ideas, as it is crucial to place art and culture in their lives from a young age.

Giving kids a voice fosters their sense of worth and self-esteem. Giving kids a voice through their choices, opinions, ideas, and emotions helps them grow and discover their importance. The learning curve of a young boy or girl is intimately linked with how much they feel valued. 

They must feel secure in their surroundings and be assured that their voice and method of making their voice heardwill be taken into account if they are to play, learn, and think critically. We adults can give children a voice in various ways.

Listening to our children goes beyond just giving in to their supposedly childlike demands. It involves accepting the possibility that they may have valuable thoughts and concepts we haven't yet uncovered.

VCA Cultural programme

With Valletta Cultural Agency, we launched its cultural program for the second half of the year and what a program it is.

The programme includes new productions and collaborations with the involvement of several artists, which mark the essence of Valletta’s cultural, artistic, and social fabric. We will continue to strive to push the Maltese product and identity on every occasion through these cultural programmes. We want to continue to deepen our Maltese identity in the hearts of all those who care about Maltese heritage and culture. This programme will provide the public with a stellar programme that celebrates life, joy and meaning while focusing on celebrating local talent and highlighting the beauty of our capital, Valletta.

This programme includes the very first in-house musical theatre production as a collaboration between Teatru Manoel and the Valletta Cultural Agency ‘Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,’ currently running at Teatru Manoel.

Also currently ongoing is the Malta Fashion Week and Awards, the fashion event that transforms the capital into a platform for Malta’s top talent and all that the local fashion industry has to offer. September will see the first edition of The Valletta Local Food Week, happening at the award-winning Valletta Design Cluster. This event aims to promote and celebrate the local food and culinary scene.

The Valletta Design Cluster programme continues with open days, opportunities for members, and much more. The colourful South Street installations, selected via open calls for proposals, bring on a change every four months. October brings on a concert with one of the most sought-after artists in the world – José Cura.

An all-rounded musician, Cura will perform a wide range of songs from his homeland Argentina and an original composition of a song cycle based on Pablo Neruda’s poetry.

Christmas is also an important period in Valletta even from a cultural point of view.  The Valletta Cultural Agency’s (VCA) Christmas Programme will take place from the 8th till the 24th of December in the main squares, strategic locations, and the quaint streets of Valletta, while Christmas lights and decorations can continue to be enjoyed throughout January.

The Christmas Tree near Parliament, the crib that narrates Christ’s birth, and the various family activities held to celebrate the Christmas spirit. The Valletta National New Year’s Eve celebration will provide a spectacle, including a special fireworks display at Grand Harbor.

Malta Fashion Week

The Malta Fashion Week 2022 is an upscale three-day event, and it was held this week starting on the 20th, with the grand finale tonight. It was held in Valletta at the Grand Harbour Terrace, on the rooftop of the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

Those who attended could explore new collections from already established local designers and severalnewcomers. Nadya Dzyak, a famous Ukrainian designer, also participated.

The dynamic force of culture creates various opportunities for the diverse art forms forming part of the creative economy. The Malta Fashion Week contributes to a solid annual cultural calendar. As a Government, we aredetermined to work hand in hand with the private sector to provide more opportunities for local talent.

The event was opened with South African designer Ferreira Couture, followed by newcomer and local swimwear brand Bajja. The first night ended with Parascandalo, who returned to Malta Fashion Week for the 8th consecutive year.

The second day opened with guests from Serbia Fashion Week – Morfium, followed by Blakkript, a local designer who returns for the second year to Malta Fashion Week. The day ended with designer artist James Dimech whoshowcased wearable fashion from paper.

The third day and final night will be hosted by the local brand Gagliardi, followed by Nadya Dzyak from Ukraine. The local duo Charles&Ron will close the night and the Fashion Week itself.

I want to thank The Malta Fashion Week organisers, especially  Adrian J Mizzi, supported by a Partnership Agreement for Large-Scale Events and Initiatives with the Valletta Cultural Agency within the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government. The Malta Tourism Authority also supports it within the Ministry for Tourism.