Local councils' scheme gives cultural boost

Over the past few months, a number of cultural activities focused in various Maltese localities have involved more than just the average passer-by.

These often specialised events were part of an initiative of the Parliamentary Secretariat for Public Dialogue and Information within OPM called the Local Councils Scheme for Cultural Activities to which €138,000 has been dedicated.

Since the beginning of the scheme, 33 local councils have applied, out of which 26 were selected for funding through a selection process. So far, 14 local councils in Malta and 12 in Gozo are benefitting.

The latest instalments took place over a couple of weekends in May, namely Military Mtarfa and the Senglea Maritime Festival.

This is the first time financial assistance is being given to local councils for cultural initiatives.

The idea is to bring out each locality's identity, and to tie it with tourism. One of the prevalent aims is to develop the tourism "product" within localities, to enhance the diversification of the product, to address seasonality issues and regeneration of income around different localities, so that the focus would not remain always on the primary sites.

The aim of the scheme is to assist in enhancing the visibility and create awareness of Malta's cultural diversity. This financial assistance will hopefully further encourage local councils to embark on cultural activities, which, if organised outside the peak months, would help tourist decongestion while promoting social, cultural and environmental sustainability of localities.

The organisation of cultural activities highlighting Malta's diversity would, in turn, also assist in easing the problems of seasonality as well as to help in promoting tourism flow towards non-traditional locations.

Localities in Malta and Gozo have great potential emanating from the wealth relating to tangible and intangible heritage.

The scheme is directed towards: positive socio-economic impacts resulting from the proper development and promotion of the initiatives being proposed;

The respect and enhancement of the communities' ways of life ensuring that any development performed would not conflict with the character of the natural, social and cultural resources already present within the localities; and Eligible initiatives were those that aimed at promoting their cultural characteristics to visitors on a national, European and international scale; represent innovative ideas; identify, appreciate, safeguard and promote local cultural assets; develop their locality as a new touristic offer; incorporate and provide important aspects within the locality itself; involve various stakeholders and collaborations while aiming to enrich the cultural calendar; consider and ensure visitor satisfaction while preserving and maintaining the traditional aspects of the locality; follow quality service standards; promote social inclusion; follow sustainable implementation methods; and aim at narrowing the information gap through the publication of promotional material.

For this year the activities had to be organised in the winter and shoulder months - from January to May and from October to December.

Some of the events listed below are examples of the diversity of initiatives which have already been organised: Festa Frawli at Mġarr - to expose the rural and agricultural aspect; Mediaeval Mdina - to bring out the historical aspects of the city; Birgu by candlelight - to create a different atmosphere at night linked to the past; Għajnsielem - an open-air activity tied to the Christmas crib using live actors and real animals; Kerċem - exposing the religious traditions tied to the feast of St Gregory.

This scheme also involved a number of local NGOs and organisations without which these activities would not have been possible.

The next round of call for applications for 2010 is already in the making and the aim is to double the amount granted for this year and to extend the scheme to 52 weekends of activities.