'Star' installations to highlight EU-funded projects

A number of installations will be set up by MEUSAC in various localities in Malta and Gozo during the next six months to showcase EU projects.

These installations consist of giant star-shaped structures that aim to re-invent the modern day billboard and display information relating to projects that have been awarded EU funding. The project was launched today at the Valletta Waterfront.

The 'star' installations will also be placed in St George's Square and St John's Square in Valletta, Tower Road (close to Balluta church) and Tignè Point in Sliema, Baystreet (St Julian's), Marsascala promenade, Marsaxlokk promenade and the University campus.

In Gozo, the installations will be set up in St George's Square and Independence Square (It-Tokk) in Victoria as well as in Marsalforn.

The stars are more than five metres long and a metre wide and a little less than three metres high and will. The half-sunken stars have a pulsing light at night to give the impression that the installation is glowing. 

The structures were designed by University students Nicolò Bencini, Francesca Camilleri and Jonathan Borg who won a national design competition organised earlier on this year by MEUSAC. The winners were selected by a panel of independent judges.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said underscored the value of public information dissemination in any communications strategy.

'Communicating Europe is very difficult. Very often we find that European citizens consider themselves to be far removed from what they perceive to be a centralised bureaucratic institution located in Brussels. Such a misconception cannot be allowed to flourish. In this context, government and institutions such as MEUSAC, are constantly increasing their efforts to ensure that Europe becomes a reality with which people can relate on a daily basis,' he said.

Dr Vanni Xuereb, MEUSAC Head, said that EU funds were contributing significantly to the quality of life of the Maltese people as well as to the conservation and upgrading of the islands' historical and cultural heritage. It was important, he stated, that people became more aware of what was being done with EU financing..