A different view of Freedom Square
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.
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l Galea
Sep 24th 2008, 20:43
@josef sammut
Good idea.
How about putting a reminder on the site on who is responsible for its destruction?
Who knows, maybe they will be ashamed and pay for its reconstruction?
C Attard
Sep 24th 2008, 20:23
Jaqqqq tafu xi kruha gew???
Hemm erbgha minnhom imbaghad, skuzawni imma zgur li ma jaqtghux figura tajba ma dawk li jixtiequ jkunu jafuna aktar mill-vicin bhala Maltin!!!
josef sammut
Sep 24th 2008, 19:30
Reminding us of Freedom Square, could one of our MEP’s embark on a mission to bring funds to rebuild the opera House as it was?
May I remind everyone that most probably this is the only of such buildings not rebuild in Europe after WW2.
I feel ashamed every time I pass by. If I could help, I would!
Charles DeMicoli
Sep 24th 2008, 17:25
Very interesting topic and a smart installation. Wish they could put the exhibition on line so that of us who can't make it in person will be able to appreciate it and artist Norbert Attard's work.
philip pace
Sep 24th 2008, 15:53
Looking at the picture, it reminded me of the phrase, "the sacred and the profane".
It is very ironic that where the gentlemen are standing is the what remains of one the most beautiful buildings ever to be built in Valletta-The Royal Opera House.
When shall we have it build as how it was- and no Renzo Piano plans-please?
It is about time something has to be done.
Who would re build it? Us or the German side of the EU?
No wonder our politicians are not bothered about it as they never go by it when they go to the Parliament.
Who cares!
But money is spent carelessly to bring back some of the thousands of tourists that we have lost due to the inept MTA!
Dr.Francis Zammit Dimech you had a great chance to work on the re building of ROH but you preferred to squander the money to launch the silly Brand Malta and those useless adverts on CNN. Thank you Dr.Gonzi for leaving him out..
Philip Paris
Sep 24th 2008, 15:09
Please! Like this is going to clean up Freedon Square.
Freedon Square looks like a movie set for some bombed out city.
When is somthing going to be done to bring it back to its original state and not just cover it up with pictures.
Please choose the reason of your report below: