The Ministry for National Heritage has announced that the Artistic Heritage Scheme for 2025 will distribute an “unprecedented” €1 million towards beneficiaries working to support Maltese feasts this year.
83 applicants shall be awarded a sum of €800,000 between them; a second call for this scheme will be launched in August.
This marks an increase of €300,000 towards the Artistic Heritage Scheme when compared to last year – a 43% increase in funding.
Culture Minister Owen Bonnici praised the work carried out by voluntary organisations related to feasts, such as band clubs, fireworks associations, and feast decorators, labelling their commitments as “invaluable.” He assured that the government shall continue to support and safeguard these traditions.
Minister Bonnici said that with each passing year, the government continues to raise its investment towards these community-led activities, thus fulfilling its electoral promise to protect the Maltese cultural identity.
He added that the government is doing this through tangible investments that help creative sectors, like this one, to flourish in a sustainable manner.
“Traditions such as festivals, which are protected by UNESCO, are part of our intangible cultural heritage, as are fireworks, which form an intrinsic part of our cultural fabric, and we are committed to ensuring that they have the appropriate resources to grow,” Minister Bonnici said.
Art Council Malta’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of Funding and Strategy, Mary Ann Cauchi, stated that “our journey to strengthen Malta’s cultural heritage and resources continues in line with the principles set out in the Council’s Strategy.”
She sustained that these types of initiatives have made it possible for Art Council Malta (ACM) to sustainably offer ongoing support while improving the accessibility of these traditional events.
Cauchi concluded that through this approach, ACM continues to safeguard the artistic and cultural diversity of the Maltese islands while promoting heritage-driven regeneration.