Prime Minister Robert Abela addressed an event where culture and Maltese identity was on the top of the agenda on Sunday, saying that safeguarding this identity is the utmost of priorities.

The event was organised by the Labour Party and saw the participation of the Prime Minister, three panellists, and a number of stakeholders in the audience.

In his opening address, Abela noted how one of his government’s most senior ministers is responsible for the culture sector and how the government had invested €19 million in order to purchase 12 band club properties so the clubs are not lost.

He said that what is important is that what distinguishes us as Maltese remains alive.  He said that even when speaking about the labour market and participation of foreigners in it, everything must be done to safeguard the Maltese identity.

The discussion panel was made up of the CEO of the Centre for Maltese Language Maris Camilleri, historian Mario Coleiro, and the Secretary General of the De Paule Band Club in Paola Gordon Dalli.

Camilleri spoke of how the Centre had carried out a survey last year in order to gain a snapshot of how the Maltese language is being used on a day-to-day basis, and then drafted a strategy which focused on how it can be improved.

Coleiro meanwhile said that for its size, Malta’s history and heritage is enormous, noting that feasts in particular, for example, are something that cannot be found abroad. The fact that 90% of the work done in village feasts is done voluntarily, he said, is a sign of how much people love their identity.

Dalli meanwhile praised the government’s decision to purchase band club properties where the clubs were set to be evicted, saying that this is a clear example of the government’s commitment to the whole sector.

“Without the government’s intervention in this case and others, we would have lost these buildings. We cannot just see this as a building; we’re talking about people and identity.  Today things are being taken for granted. God forbid it wasn’t the culture department because a lot of things wouldn’t happen,” he said.

Various points and proposals were made by those who addressed the event.

TV producer Ben Camille praised the government’s support of the initiative to purchase the rights of the popular cartoon Peppa Pig so that it could be presented in Maltese, and said that the second season of the show is now on the way.

Carlos Farrugia, the founder of the company and school of Drama 'Freespirit Acting', offered a proposal for the government: that it assists youngsters wanting to get involved in theatre by producing their own work by offering rehearsal spaces inside theatre halls which already exist at schools.

Abela said that this was a proposal that he would be considering.

Noel Camilleri, the President of the National Association for Band Clubs, meanwhile called for the formal recognition of voluntary work in order to attract more people to it. He also said that the Maltese feast needs to be protected from certain elements which are infiltrating it.

“We need to protect the feast: some elements are coming in that are damaging feasts and the communities – we want feasts which show what Malta is, but which are also clean,” he said.

He also called for the establishment of a National Music Board in Malta, lamenting that today anyone seeking qualifications in music must sit for exams with standards from abroad.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici commented that being Maltese in today’s world is something to be considered with pride.

“If we want to keep moving forward in international society, we need to believe in ourselves; that we can contribute, especially in our region filled with conflicts, and to do that first and foremost we need to know who we are.  Without culture we do not have the moral strength to speak. Culture is something which must be placed at the centre of our work,” he said.

He said that one cent of investment in culture gives a lot more back in terms of national unity, people’s happiness, and jobs in the sector.

He said that from the start of summer a one-stop shop will be slowly opened in order to aid volunteers as well.

Abela meanwhile told those present that the best time for the cultural sector is still to come, because the commitment to invest in culture is very much present within the government.

He announced that Malta will be putting forward Mdina and Gozo’s Cittadella as candidates to be placed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Prime Minister also thanked all those volunteers who keep Maltese culture going, saying that this is a very important part of society and that it is these people who are making incredible change to people’s lives.