The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA) today issued its reaction after political għana took place when journalists were taken to two bars in Zejtun on Sunday in connection with the launch of Għanafest.
The council said the Għanafest launch was divided into two parts: the first part was the press conference proper, which was held at a Żejtun bar, Red Stars. Here the Parliamentary Secretary and Artistic Director addressed the press. Għannejja performed a makkjetta and an example of għana fil-għoli, two diverse forms of għana, intended to showcase the Maltese folk song’s variety. The press conference then moved to Ta’ Ġanna Bar in Żejtun, where the għannejja gather to perform every Sunday. The idea was to offer an authentic experience of għana in its grassroots setting, an unsanitised view of local għana – and not a preview of Għanafest, the Council said.
"Għana refers to current events, including local news, festivities and politics. Watching the għannejja in their territory, uncensored and unsanitised, seems to have caused several ripples and exposed a number of sensitive layers. These ripples raise several questions about our – the Maltese people’s - view of “culture”," the council added.
On a positive note, it said, this episode raised challenging questions for Maltese culture today which the MCCA intends to discuss in various platforms.
"What, for instance, comprises Maltese culture? Is a play staged in a national theatre classified as “culture” – while għana in a village bar is not? Are we willing to accept political references in other art forms – but not in għana? Is Maltese society ready to accept true political references in Carnival, for example? What makes us Maltese? How much do we really know about Maltese society in general? Does culture consist of only one layer? Is a sanitised or politically correct or censored view of culture ever preferable? Is the unpalatable - not culture? And - who decides?"
It said that while għana forms the backbone of Għanafest, different strands run through the annual festival. Primarily, Għanafest aims to celebrate the diversity of Mediterranean folk music, bringing together a rich programme of għana, Maltese music bands and foreign folk bands. This year’s theme is “Islands” and musicians from Crete, Corsica and Sardinia will take audiences on a musical journey at the Argotti botanical gardens, where the Festival is held annually.
"The MCCA celebrates għana as an authentic art form, without any agenda of censorship. We also recognise għana as an important value of Maltese culture and seek to promote the celebration of this form of art by a sector of Maltese society. The MCCA has various platforms showcasing different art forms, catering for different tastes and all to a level of organisational excellence. All our national festivals reflect these aspects. We believe in being open and accessible to all, enabling and empowering society to participate as artists and audiences together with dissemination of knowledge and best practices. By doing this, we adhere to the three main principles of our National Cultural Policy which was created through broad consultation in the cultural sector," the council said.