Showpiece for Maltese music

I am writing on behalf of Maltese composers both living and dead, perhaps more on behalf of the dead because they depend on the living to remind us that Malta Tagħna Lkoll (Malta for all) also includes them.

It is surely against Maltese interests, and these include justified Maltese pride in our achievements and the tourist ambience, that we ignore our past and present.

I have read the announced programme for a soon-coming culture festival. The most remarkable feature about it is its total lack of respect for Maltese composers and the Maltese musical heritage. I will be absolutely delighted if I am mistaken. And this festival is only the tip of an iceberg.

I do not like my country to be given the role of a colonial culture prostitute. It is not merited. And I do not accept ignorance of what we have as the justification.

My intention was to write this letter at the end of the festival. I am writing it now because recent news bulletins have been referring to V.18. I hope I am still in time to register my protest if plans have already been made to turn our European capital of culture into a showpiece for the music achievements of other countries. We have to be Maltese before we can be Europeans.

Permit me to propose just one item: a performance of one of our operas whose librettos focus on Maltese history. These include Antonio Nani’s I Cavalieri di Malta; Paolino Vassallo’s Frazir; Carmelo Pace’s I Martiri; Charles Camilleri’s Il-Fidwa tal-Bdiewa.

If the mindset of some of us still undervalues our indigenous achievements then I suggest consideration be given to operas by Maltese composers who made an important name for themselves in other countries. Girolamo Abos, Giuseppe Arena, Nicolò Isouard, Alessandro Curmi and Francesco Schira easily come to mind.