A cultural event “in favour of peace and a two-state solution” is being organised by the Ministry for Lands, Culture, and Local Government following Malta’s recognition of the State of Palestine which took place on Monday.

The event, known as ‘Qalbna Maghkom’, which will be taking place on September 27th at 6:30PM at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, will have the involvement of various people and groups, including a live concert by Jolene Samhan and her band, an exhibition of pictures from inside Gaza taken by Rene Rossignaud, and participation from the Palestinian Youth Group, among others. The Grand Master’s Palace will also be open for free to all those attending.

Speaking at a press conference announcing the event, Minister Owen Bonnici said that through the event, culture is being used as a medium to deliver a message of peace. He remarked that “culture is the opposite of war,” as war “brings pain, suffering, and death, while culture brings the opposite”. He said that culture brings people together, uniting people and bringing hope. “There is no other medium that delivers messages so strongly,” he said.

Bonnici stated that the recognition of the State of Palestine by Malta and other countries is a point which needs to be marked. He said that the government believes in a two-state solution and strongly wishes for Palestine and Israel to live together in peace. “They deserve a future based on peace and prosperity,” he said, continuing that this occasion is one with which the government is sending a message in favour of peace and a two-state solution.

The minister commented that in moments such as this, “perhaps the most courageous and radical position is to call for peace”.

“Our hearts are with the Palestinian people. Our hearts are in favour of a two-state solution, and we are sending this message with the strength of culture,” he concluded.

Arts Council Malta Chief Executive Luke Dalli said that the world is currently going through a lot of hurt and destruction, as he spoke of how Ukraine is in a similar situation as that of Gaza.

Dalli commented that he represents an entity which regulates the thing which unites the most in the world, that being the arts. He said that arts and culture are a tool to unite all peoples, and added that everyone has the right to express themselves through art. He stated that this event is being done to raise awareness and continue what the Prime Minister started by recognising the State of Palestine.

With that said, he remarked that this is not a celebration, “as there is nothing to celebrate at this moment because children are still dying and left without food”. Minister Bonnici echoed this sentiment, commenting that “there is nothing to celebrate in this”.

Heritage Malta CEO Noel Zammit also spoke, as he remarked that wars bring terror, death, as well as the destruction of culture and identity.

With that in mind, he said that Heritage Malta’s mission is to safeguard Malta’s identity, and added that it is participating in this activity primarily to safeguard the identity of a country and a people. “I urge the public to attend this event and show their solidarity with the Palestinian people,” he said.

Daniel Cauchi, an artistic director, spoke about the strength art has in uniting communities and raising awareness. He spoke of how he had visited Palestine before and was impressed by the strength of the arts when working and interacting with Palestinian artists.

Jolene Samhan, a Maltese-Palestinian singer who will be participating in the event on Saturday, talked about how this moment is one which is very personal and emotional for here, as she said it is an honour to see Malta and Palestine coming together in this manner.

Samhan said that Palestinians face the daily reality that they do not know if they will live to see the next day, or whether their family will survive. She said that this event is being done to honour their humanity and support their right to live free and with dignity.

“We also remember the need to end the 77 long years of genocide, oppression, and the suffering of Palestinians… I have always been proud of being Maltese, but this week I can say that I am a little prouder… We are here to stand with the side of justice, and I hope that Malta continues to fight for the justice of the Palestinian cause until Palestine is completely independent,” she said.