Mozartfest Malta

Having personally participated in Mozartfest Malta 2006, ably organised by the Renaissance Cultural Foundation last October to mark the composer's 250th birthday, it was especially remarkable for me that it was possible to reach young people to participate in the interpretation courses for chamber music and songs with Mozart in the centre.

The students who participated from Israel, Palestine, Syria, Malta and Germany were of a high artistic level and had a remarkable social-political accent. The exchange of students' concert with concerts of the invited professors gave an attractive input to the well-attended courses which put the work of Mozart in an interesting context from an interpretation, aesthetic, music and historical point of view.

Moreover, the panels and lectures gave new insights and approaches to the Mozart phenomenon, contributing at the same time as an exchange of musical practice and theoretical confrontation.

The art and music supporting atmosphere of fascinating Malta, which can definitely be an efficient "bridge" in culture in the Mediterranean, contributed significantly towards bringing Mozart's music alive - and in addition, in the wonderful atmosphere of excellent halls with very good acoustics.

I hope that the very successful concept and organisation of the festival is only a first step which other events will follow.

Malta is definitely a very attractive place for an annual international music festival, which can become, in the course of time, also a tourist attraction.