First Maltese art exhibition at European Parliament

On the initiative of Nationalist MEP David Casa, a group of Maltese artists last week had the opportunity to show some of their works to members of the European Parliament, staff members of the EU institutions and thousands of visitors who thronged the EP building's corridors during the week.

This was the first Maltese exhibition ever to be hosted at the EP building.

Over and above numerous plenary sessions, parliamentary committees and group meetings, MEPs also have the opportunity to use the space offered by the EP building as a showcase for their respective countries.

The artists, who exhibited a wide spectrum of works, included Lino Magro, Lawrence Buttigieg, Anna Galea, Celia Borg Cardona, Patrick Dalli and Lino Borg, whose paintings ranged from landscapes and still lifes to depictions of the village feast and other traditional aspects of Maltese life.

The exhibition struck a chord with many foreign MEPs who were invited by Mr Casa to the exhibition's opening.

Speaking during the reception organised for the occasion, Mr Casa said that as a member of the European Parliament he felt that it was his duty to project the voice of Maltese citizens even through the works of Maltese artists. He said that even in this field, the Maltese are very talented and it was a good thing that these artists are also given exposure outside Malta's shores so that foreigners can appreciate what the island has to offer.

"In our modern world today, with our fast moving pace and lack of individual time, it is a pleasure to be reminded of the natural beauty which is present on our island. This was presented so eloquently to us by the artists that it seemed a breath of fresh air from the day to day struggles of life."

Mr Casa said that the artists whose work can now be appreciated by fellow MEPs, have with their patience, love, ability and skill, managed to capture the most beautiful and meaningful moments of Maltese life and thus gave all visitors of the EP the privilege to understand the subtle intensity of the beauty that lies around the Maltese islands.

The opening of the exhibition was also attended by members of the Maltese in Benelux Association, an organisation of Maltese living and working in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, invited by Mr Casa for the occasion.

Most of MIBA's members work with the EU institutions in Brussels.