Saying it through dance

At the launch of the European Dance Company foundation last Wednesday, Felix Busuttil, president of the executive committee, pointed out that dance is a language, a universal language that does not have boundaries. It is a language understood by all...

The fondation will be basing its philosophy on these principles. Classical dance in Malta is only some five generations old. Pioneers like Princess Nathalie Poutiatine, Tanya Bayona, Lilian Attard and Daphne Lungaro had a vision that has steadily and greatly improved the standard of dance in Malta.

It is really amazing to see how much has been achieved in such a brief period. The foundation will build on those achievements and aim higher.

The idea is to bring together a united group of young Europeans to produce works of choreographic excellence. The plan is to have a permanent core of 30 dancers, ideally one from each member state of the European Union and a further three, who will form this dance company. This core will be split up into two groups of 15 dancers each, alternating between periods of training and creating with active tours.

At the launch, I offered the wholehearted support of my ministry. I also referred to a study that was presented to European Ministers of Culture at our Council meeting last November. That study establishes that culture and the arts make up 2.6 per cent of the EU's GDP, and provide for the employment of at least 5.8 million persons. Culture and the arts are motors of creativity which in turn provides the platform for social and economic innovation.

I wish the promoters of this new initiative well. Malta does not only pride itself on its 7,000 years of history and cultural heritage but also on the fact that more than ever before it has a vibrant contemporary visual and performing arts' scene which is the best way forward for the country as a whole.

Another treat

The same day - but in the evening, I presented awards to this year's scholarship students at the end of the eighth annual production put up by the Dance Workshop at St Agatha's Auditorium in Rabat.

This Workshop was founded by Theresa Lungaro-Mifsud in 1999 to provide a creative home for young bodies, minds and spirits.

The first part of the production consisted of a choreographic rendering of Esmeralda, where students ranging from the very little ones to teenagers portrayed the story set against the background of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in 15th-century Paris through a feast of music, dance, costumes, light effects and above all a genuine love for offering quality to the audience. Tutors mingled with the tutored in this tour de force.

The second part portrayed creative movements to depict the different elements. The general theme of the evening was No Fixed Points.

My hearty congratulations to Theresa, to all members of the faculty, to the students, to those who worked back stage, to costume designers, to those who provided the lights and sound effects, to all who worked relentlessly backstage or front of house - together you created magnificent synergies.

I could see many a proud parent and even some proud grandparents delight in what their children or grandchildren could produce after months of hard work and preparation. Credit is due to them for understanding that the performing arts, and dance in particular, can be crucial elements in one's education and upbringing - apart from the techniques imparted, which are worth mastering in their own right, choreography helps students reach new heights of self-confidence, stage presence, teamwork, communication and expressive skills, a more healthy way of life and above all achieving human satisfaction that emanates from bringing to the fore one's otherwise hidden talents.

Three events linked to the arts in the space of two days (keep in mind the launch of the European Dance Company project on the same day, and the rendering of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony by our National Orchestra on the eve) cannot be regarded merely as a coincidence. It is symptomatic of a new awakening and appreciation of the arts that our country is experiencing - what I have no hesitation to refer to as a renaissance that is not just happening but is being encouraged, and facilitated.

Ode to joy

Wednesday evening's choreographic feast qualifies as an ode to joy.

A day earlier, the Ode to Joy, as expressed through Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was played to a packed Mediterranean Conference Centre.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.

What better way to celebrate the European Union's birthday than to offer a masterly rendering of the symphony that incorporates its own anthem?

The National Orchestra directed by Michael Laus, together with soloists Miriam Gauci, Claire Massa, Reiner Goldberg and Roman Grübner, did us proud.

"The magic power reunites all that custom has divided; All men become brothers, under the sway of thy gentle wings." Schiller's verses assumed a prophetic resonance since the European Union (originally set up as the European Economic Community) was born 50 years ago. On Tuesday night we could rejoice for that happening and for the fact that Malta now partakes of that reality.

Events in Bugibba and Qawra

On Thursday morning, on the invitation of the Bars and Restaurants' Association of St Paul's Bay, I presided over a press conference to launch tomorrow's Easter Monday Parades in Bugibba and Qawra.

The parades, which have the financial support of my ministry through the Malta Tourism Authority, and of the St Paul's Bay council, will include band marches, the scouts, animation, face painting, balloon modelling, 'bouncy castles', Easter competitions, and much entertainment.

Events are crucial to make any town or village more attractive and exciting to visit. This is what we're doing for all of Malta and I believe it makes sense to provide such an attraction particularly in areas that are not as yet benefiting from the improved performance of tourism.

My ministry assisted the same association to offer a taste of Carnival to the St Paul's Bay area and we shall with other events that will be organised throughout the rest of the year.

That is apart from product improvement initiatives such as the new perched beach at Bugibba that cost us Lm457,000 (€1,064,524). Plans for further embellishment projects have been drawn up. I believe that the St Paul's Bay area deserves such projects. A more positive outlook from the tourism industry needs to be reflected in that area as well.

Saying it through sports

Sports tourism is a fast growing sector attracting over 80,000 visitors to Malta a year.

On Wednesday morning, after launching the European Dance Company project, it was a pleasure to preside over another event, to launch the Eurohockey Cup Winners challenge tournament that is being hosted in Malta this weekend.

The eight teams that won last year's national cup are here to participate in the different matches that have been organised.

The Sliema BDO Hotsticks Hockey Club has been selected by the European Hockey Federation to host this year's prestigious cup. It is clear that they are doing a wonderful and dedicated job out of it.

Popular TV series

Having Malta chosen as the location for a number of episodes of popular TV series is another form of advertising that helps promote our country as a tourist destination. The Malta Tourism Authority has been successfully working on such initiatives over the past months and is yielding results.

I have been informed that ITV's Coronation Street confirmed one episode to be shot on location in Malta. Shooting starts around the end of June. Two characters come to Malta for a holiday. That is an appropriate story line to reach out to the series' viewership which last week stood at 11.5 million.

Happy Easter

My warm Easter greetings to all readers of this column. Easter offers a whole range of unique Malta attractions - ranging from the pageantry of the Good Friday processions to the countless exhibitions that portray different aspects of Holy Week.

Understanding better the wealth behind such traditions, not least from the artistic point of view, should help us appreciate better our own identity as well as reach out more effectively to visitors who opt for an Easter break in our country. Enjoying sunny weather in the process is an added bonus!

info@franciszammitdimech.com