School for pyrotechnics

The new proposed EU Directive on Pyrotechnics should help to revive the need for an institute that could make the best out of local tradition and love for fireworks, which besides forming part of our culture could also develop into a thriving business.

The EU directive proposes to harmonise the conditions applicable to the area of pyrotechnics, especially on health and safety requirements in a similar manner to that in which health and safety rules and directives are applied to a number of other products.

Taking up such a proposal would not only increase safety in Malta's production of fireworks for our own use, but could be an opportunity to create an export market in this field. The assurance that the creation of a single European market in pyrotechnical articles could result in a high level of protection to consumers could create an increase in the use and demand for pyrotechnical articles, rendering this art a profitable market.

In Malta we also need to reduce accidents. The commission's proposal of the requirement for CE marking should be able to contribute to a reduction in accidents from fireworks as far as possible.

It is also wise that Malta is proposing to adopt the regulations to the Maltese situation and not en bloc. The running of Malta's fireworks culture and habits are so characteristic to small villages that certain regulations do not apply to our situation.

It is now important to treat the subject in a more dignified and knowledgeable manner. There is no better way to do this than by starting a modest Institute of Pyrotechnics at our university. A number of university departments, which are already well established, could combine their knowledge in the field to promote a professional approach.

Departments like chemistry can apply scientific knowledge to the art, while the engineering departments could contribute to the mechanics involved in the movements of fireworks. It too can be harnessed in exact timing of displays, while the music unit could contribute to the background that today accompanies such shows.

The interest in fireworks is increasing in Malta. This year's fireworks festival is going international and is the first competitive edition with five fireworks factories from Malta, the UK and Portugal competing with their vibrant pyrotechnic displays.

A University Institute of Pyrotechnics could also go international, or perhaps just European to start with, and attract financing from European funds. The institute can be set up in collaboration with the Tourism and Culture Ministry, the Malta Tourism Authority and the Malta Pyrotechnics Association.

The opportunity, coming up at the end of this month where a number of international pyrotechnic professionals and practitioners such as the Italian Orvella Fireworks Company will be in Malta, together with most of the local enthusiasts, should be taken by all concerned to sit round a table and discuss this proposal at our university.

Private enterprise could also be involved in establishing the institute, considering that Valletta Waterfront is participating in the festival, opening the festa season by creating "a festa atmosphere while affording a spectacular view of the fireworks" on Saturday and Sunday.

Our university institutes' set-up has in recent years already proved a significant contributor to Malta. It is enough to look at the contributions of the Institute of Agriculture, the Mediterranean Institute and the Institute of Health Care, to mention three of the many highly successful institutes thriving in our university, all founded in recent years.

After a ten-year session of successful and painful consolidation of the enormous developments at the university, it is now time to develop new areas. We have already mentioned the need for a course in veterinary medicine to meet the demand for more vets. An institute of pyrotechnics is another idea to set the ball rolling again.