A dramatic installation – ‘Minn Fejn Int, Where Are You From’ – of some 50 portraits by Norbert Attard is dressing up Freedom Square to raise awareness among Valletta visitors, estimated to be some 50,000 daily, about the different physiognomies of the Maltese people. The aim of the installation, which celebrates the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, is also to highlight the complex history of the Maltese islands as a central meeting place of populations throughout the centuries.

As preparations for launch of the installation were underway today (September 24), Mr Attard explained to Vodafone and HSBC representatives, main sponsors of the exhibition, how his creations are intended to engage the viewer with the question of identity and the complex relationship between physiognomy and culture, exploring the notion of diversity and assumptions of “who we are” and “where are we from”.

“The installation is a collection of portraits from Maltese society to celebrate the diversity of physiognomy in all its forms, challenging stereotypes and acknowledging the reality that irrespective of our different looks we all belong to the same whole,” said Mr Attard. “The intervention in Freedom Square has also come about as a intended statement to create a positive and colourful moment to people entering the Capital City.”

‘Minn Fejn Int, Where Are You From’ is an initiative of the European Parliament Office in Malta in collaboration with St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity and the Valletta Local Council, supported by Vodafone Malta Ltd, HSBC, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.

The installation will be officially launched tomorrow and will run until January 8, 2009.