We had promised that we were going to enhance further artistic freedom of expression prior to the summer recess of Parliament and that is precisely what we did.

We walked the talk.

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of putting forward a motion to read for the third time a Bill aimed at further enhancing artistic freedom and the House voted unanimously in favour of the same.  Minister Byron Camilleri and I acted expeditiously and delivered on our promises.

We had proposed the first reading of the Bill in sitting number 135 (19th June, 2023).  7 sittings later (4th July, 2023) the debate on the legislative proposal was undertaken and the last stage of the process was concluded last Wednesday.

This means that in less than a month we promulgated the necessary amendments.  That speaks volumes of our determination to make sure that artistic expression attracts the freedom and protection in deserves in a democratic country.

As soon as the Bill is signed by the President of Malta and immediately becomes law, artistic expression will start enjoying the greatest level of freedom and protection in the history of our nation.

This reform is not taking place in isolation.  I take pride in having the distinguished privilege of having piloted historic amendments which I passionately believed and still believe in: the striking off of criminal libel, the deletion of a whole list of laws which stifled artistic freedom and the promulgation of a very progressive Media and Defamation Act.

I am proud to form part of a Labour Government which, once again, was a change agent.   A change agent for the better.

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In Malta, this summer, is jam packed with artistic activities and literally one can find every day activities to enjoy. This is because various entities in the Government, including the entities within the Ministry I am responsible for, have prepared an extensive calendar of cultural activities for this period.

Naturally, the most popular activities feature singers or popular performers, including international ones, who bring joy to the Maltese and tourists. These are talented artists who manage to attract thousands of people to their shows.  However, culture is much more than that, and a country with a healthy cultural calendar should offer diversity and a comprehensive program.

That is why we have organized a number of cultural and musical events, covering a wide range of genres, which will spread across all corners of our islands.

Over the years, the summer events organized by our entities have become synonymous with their artistic diversity, resulting in an annual appointment for many local and international audiences.

For example, Festivals Malta's summer 2023 program has so far been a success and I am sure will be a tremendous success in the remaining weeks of summer. The program so far included the Ritmu Roots Festival and the Malta International Arts Festival, which have already taken place and were a great success. Now the Malta Jazz Festival has officially started and we eagerly await the second edition of Dance Festival Malta, where the public and visiting tourists will be provided with high-quality cultural events and activities. 

I thank Festivals Malta, led by Chairperson Aaron Zahra and CEO Frans Agius for their hard work.

Also, the concert of the Three Tenors by the Valletta Cultural Agency, which took place in a packed St George’s Square, was a resounding success and provided a unique opportunity for our three Maltese tenors and guest singer Chiara to showcase their immense talents to everyone. It is truly wonderful to see how many people came out in large numbers to support local talent.

I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to Alan, Nico, and Cliff for their fantastic performance, as well as to Jason Micallef and Catherine Tabone and everyone at the Valletta Cultural Agency for their continued efforts in building on this great success that we have all achieved together.

We are committed to investing in our culture and supporting the creative and cultural sectors so that more artists have the opportunity to grow and improve their talents, which are truly sought after by both the Maltese and international audiences. This clearly demonstrates the success of these cultural events and the importance of keeping them in our calendar.

I believe that over time and in recent years, these festivals have evolved, and with the hard work of everyone involved, the events have reached higher levels. It is crucial that we continue to strengthen our cultural products and never stop striving for more

We will persist on this path and relentlessly strive forward.

What lies ahead? The artistic program will embark on a magnificent journey as the highly anticipated Malta Jazz Festival makes its triumphant return at Ta' Liesse and the City Theatre. This incredible festival, under the artistic direction of Sandro Zerafa, has already commenced on July 10th and will continue until tomorrow.   Prepare to be mesmerized as internationally acclaimed jazz musicians take the stage, including Immanuel Wilkins, Kurt Elling, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Dmitry Baevsky, Laurent Coq, and the recipient of the prestigious Best New Artist Grammy Award, Samara Joy.

Following the Jazz Festival, we will move on to the second edition of Dance Festival Malta, taking place between July 27th and 30th. Under the artistic direction of Francesca Tranter, this festival will feature performances of various dance genres by both local and international professional artists.

Moreover, in August, the Summer Carnival will take place in various locations across Malta, continuing to build on the great success of this year's Malta Carnival.

The much-anticipated Għaxaq Music Festival returns, upholding a cherished tradition eagerly awaited by locals.

The festival commences on Thursday, July 27th, with a performance by the Grammy-nominated reggae trailblazers, The Wailers, as part of their remarkable World Tour. These musical pioneers have etched their names in the music history, embodying the iconic reggae spirit that defined the movement of the 70s. Experience the enchantment of their timeless classics and beloved Bob Marley repertoire at the captivating Ghaxaq Grounds in Malta. Led by the talented Aston Barrett Jr., their soul-stirring performance promises to leave an indelible mark. Maltese talent Mark Micallef Costa & Band will add to the romantic summer ambiance as the supporting act, while DJ Jonathan Gonzalez from the Dominican Republic and MC Badboy Stefan from the UK will host the event. The night concludes with a captivating set by Maltese DJ JJoy.

On Saturday, July 29th, the grand finale unites Malta and Italy as Marco Masini, a two-time San Remo winner, takes the stage with his T'Innamorerai-30 Anni Insieme Finalissima Tour. Masini's passionate love anthems and poetic "cantautore" music will weave a spellbinding atmosphere, allowing the audience to sing along to beloved classics such as "T'Innamorerai," "Bella Stronza," "Principessa," "Disperato," and "Ti Vorrei." Opening the show with captivating energy, Maltese talent Kurt Calleja and his band will immerse the audience in a mesmerizing experience that will ignite heartfelt singing. Hosting the night is Pierre Cordina, while DJ Sue will take attendees on a captivating musical journey during her closing set.

Admission to these concerts is free, with the public encouraged to make donations in support of Embrace Diversity Organization, a voluntary organization benefiting children and youths with disabilities. VIP tickets can be purchased from showshappening.com.

Transportation arrangements, including parking spaces and shuttle services, are currently being coordinated with Transport Malta. Stay updated through the official Għaxaq Music Festival Facebook page for further details.

The Għaxaq Music Festival receives support from the Arts Council Malta and Festivals Malta, signifying the government's unwavering dedication to preserving and elevating our cultural heritage in its diverse forms.

The remarkable creativity displayed this summer deserves recognition. Well done to all involved!