Malta in European culture showcase

Malta will be represented very visibly in a five-month celebration of Europe's culture being organised all over Belgium.

Every two years, Europalia, an international non-profit making association, organises an international multidisciplinary arts festival to celebrate one invited country's cultural heritage in Belgium.

This year, Europalia will be parting from its usual format and instead will be presenting the cultural rhythm of all the 27 member states, celebrating the EU's 50th anniversary.

Sources close to the organisation said Malta has grasped the opportunity and is participating in various events presenting to an international audience some of its major cultural highlights.

These will include the exhibition of one of the Gobelin tapestries, currently displayed at the Tapestry Chamber of the Palace of the President in Valletta, and a classical concert by tenor Joseph Calleja in Namur.

"The fact that Malta will be sending over a world-renowned tapestry to be enjoyed by the European public is in itself quite a feat. We are sure this will make the island more appreciated for its immense array of culture," a Europalia spokesman said.

The Gobelin tapestry Animal Fight will be exhibited along with another 150 works of art from all over the EU at one of the major events called The Grand Atelier - Pathways Of Art In Europe. It will open its doors next October at the Belgian Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels.

The exhibition, which will also include manuscripts, engravings, applied artworks, sculptures, drawing and paintings, will run until the end of January.

Malta's other "big event" will be the Joseph Calleja.

Accompanied on the piano by Daniel Blumenthal, Mr Calleja will be performing works by Verdi, Puccini and Nicolò Isuard among others on November 28 at the Theatre Royal de Namur.

The event is being co-produced with the support of Malta's Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.

Europalia will be hosting other Maltese artists during its events.

Architect Richard England will be participating in a contemporary artists event and Austin Camilleri will be taking part in Agorafolly, an open-air artists trail for 27 participants representing the EU member states.