Last weekend, the Sliema Street Art Festival 2014 took over the Sliema promenade until 1am. Though it was called an ‘arts’ festival to obtain a permit, it was actually a rock music festival, short on art, short on melody and very loud on bass.

Among the art, the works of Francis Galea stood out: his paintings of classic Maltese scenes are truly mesmerising, while the chalk drawings of pavement artists Vera Bugatti and Valentina Sforzini were both dramatic and original.

Among the displays of tourist-tat, some genuine Maltese craft-work could be seen and a 3D portrait of a fish playing the piano was entertaining. Otherwise, there was a lack of originality in the paper-maché statues, recycled plastic, cling-filmed trees, tourist prints and battered cars.

The prize for enterprise has to go to the fellow with two hand-held boards, reading ‘Free hugs’. He was doing a roaring trade, with attractive young girls (and a sprinkling of lads) queuing to be hugged and photographed by their friends.

My most entertaining moment was when I overheard an American boy talking to a stunning blonde girl, presumably from a language school: “You’re Russian? From Russia?”

“Yes! You,” she asked. “I’m American,” he said.

Ukraine was obviously on both their minds for, then, slightly aggressively, he demanded: “You know Putin?”

She shook her head: “Noooo! He in Moscow. I from small town, long way away.”

While he digested the fact that post-Soviet Russia is still a big country, she asked: “You know Barrack Obama?”

It was his turn to appear surprised: “Heck, no! He’s on the East Coast, I’m from California.”

Was the festival worthwhile? No. Arts festivals do not end at 1am and the apparently poor attendance definitely did not justify the disruption to those living in the neighbourhood.

Next year, the Sliema local council needs to insist on more true art, less loud music and a much earlier finish.