Maltese and migrants 'jam' at Marsa open centre
Photo: Mark Casolani
Maltese youths gathered at an unlikely venue for a party last Saturday night: the Marsa open centre, where a large concentration of African immigrants live and congregate.
Popular hip-hop bands No Bling Show and Sixth Simfoni gave a lively free performance, supported by African rappers from the centre, who joined in along the way.
Jamming For Change, as the event was called, was organised by Get Up Stand Up, a new NGO that encourages hands-on activism and is working on projects such as setting up a library in the open centre.
"There's a lot of boredom at these centres and many migrants have difficulties getting into nightclubs, so this event gave them the chance to have some fun," vice president Alex Cachia said.
"But, more importantly, we brought a lot of young Maltese who had never been to an open centre to see what life is like and to get to know migrants through music and dancing."
She added that such an event helped bring migrants from different parts of Africa together, to forget tribal conflicts and tension that tend to exist in such centres.
Rappers from places like Burkina Faso, Sudan, Somalia and Congo took to the stage and gave impromptu performances to the delight of the migrants, many of whom were not residents of the open centre but came specifically for the event.
"Life can be difficult but, then, something beautiful happens and you cannot do anything else except feel happy and appreciate it," a man from Ghana, who has been in Malta for six years, said.
Another said this was the best night of his five-year stay in Malta.
The event was supported by the US Embassy.
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Frederick Abdilla
Apr 15th 2010, 09:15
Well done for this initiative!
I was present for this activity and it has been a very enjoyable night. It was great to visit the centre, get to meet some of the immigrants and dance all night. It was great to see people from different countries including Malta come together for the music. Also I was amazed by the immigrants hospitability who showed us around the centre and talked to us about their life, their difficult experiences and also about the good times.
I wish that Maltese people talk more with the immigrants so as to break any barriers that might exist. They would be astonished to learn that after all, they are not different at all from us. We all share life problems and good times through life.
Also well done to No bling Show for their consistent commitment towards such social issues!
Louise Vella
Apr 14th 2010, 21:43
Is Get Up Stand Up, the new star in the firmament of NGOs, helping illegal immigrants go back to their countries of origin? "There's a lot of boredom" in the open centres! So this is the new and most serious accusation against the way Malta treats illegal immigrants. If Get Up Stand Up thinks it can help Africans forget tribal conflicts, then it must be as naive as it sounds.
Jeremy Brown
Apr 14th 2010, 19:12
Unfortunately these events dont happen frequently. i think the only reason that it happened is because we are having a VERY important visitor coming soon.
Sharon Attard
Apr 15th 2010, 08:33
Can't we give credit to ONE good event, or engage ourselves in any positive activity of any sort, without insinuating that it might have something to do with the Pope's visit?
E Compagno
Apr 15th 2010, 09:03
Make that two.
I'm sure Gaddafi would like to see how his 'troops' are doing.
Go forth and multiply.
J S Borg
Apr 14th 2010, 17:15
I am sure that the pope is going to have a very long stay in Malta considering that, prisoners, illegal immigrants, victims of this and that, Gozitans (aren't they Maltese), village this and the other one, such building and so called world known churches etc etc; should meet the pope.
Is on year enough?
Aldo Sammut
Apr 14th 2010, 14:54
Rappers from Somalia? Came specially for the event? I find that comment interesting since Somalia has now made music and listening to music punishable by stoning.
Sharon Attard
Apr 14th 2010, 13:53
Well done to all involved in the organization of this event. It is truly a beautiful thing to read about, and we should have many more events such as this. I only wish I had known about the event in advance, to have been able to attend it as well!
J Azzopardi
Apr 14th 2010, 13:37
What a great initiative and foresight from this NGO. Keep it up guys!!
Victor Fiorini
Apr 14th 2010, 13:30
Well done to the organisers. Very interesting activity.
However, as to the patronising remark: "She added that such an event helped bring migrants from different parts of Africa together, to forget tribal conflicts" - some people should be told when to stop talking.
Denis Catania
Apr 14th 2010, 17:10
However, as to the patronising remark: "She added that such an event helped bring migrants from different parts of Africa together, to forget tribal conflicts" - some people should be told when to stop talking
I ask you WHY should she stop talking. What are you trying to hide ?
gabriella klein
Apr 15th 2010, 01:36
I agree perfectly with you re "patronising remarks"! Let's talk the others: only they can tell us what implications the situation might have!
Sharon Attard
Apr 15th 2010, 08:34
It must be a conspiracy, Mr. Catania.
EDWIN DE MARCO
Apr 14th 2010, 11:02
How about, next Saturday? Why shouldn't they be let to see the Pope, if some of them want to, of course. There could be Catholics amongst them.
Denis Catania
Apr 14th 2010, 17:11
Who's says they can't.