In the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, various events were held to showcase Maltese talent in a number of cities in Commonwealth countries.
This unique cultural initiative, the first of its kind since CHOGM started taking place in 1971, was presented by the CHOGM Malta 2015 External Culture Programme bearing the theme Culture as Global Value. It was co-financed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs through its Cultural Diplomacy Fund together with the Arts Council Malta.
Indian and Malaysian guests were enthralled by the rhythmic movements of the dancers from ŻfinMalta Dance Ensemble as they gave scintillating performances of Je Tiens la Reine, a contemporary adaptation of Mallarmé’s 1876 L’Aprés-midi d’un Faune and Debussy’s 1894 Prélude a L’Aprés-midi d’un Faune. Audiences were enraptured by the nine dancers as they moved through an elaborate choreography by artistic director and lead dancer, Mavin Khoo, accompanied by a rich composition by Renzo Spiteri and a narrative adaptation by Giuliana Fenech. The international dance tour in New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur, which included creative sessions with international dance companies, was very well received.
Maltese photojournalist Darrin Zammit Lupi of the Times of Malta and Reuters, had the opportunity to exhibit his photographic art project Isle Landers, at the Ballarat International Foto Biennale in Australia. For more than 10 years, Zammit Lupi has documented the lives of asylum seekers and migrants through and after their journey across the Mediterranean. Zammit Lupi also gave an artist’s talk at the exhibition venue about photographing the migration story.
Cosmos Wind Ensemble, bringing together leading Maltese and Malta-based musicians in the country’s most dynamic chamber music ensemble, is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary. Representing Malta in Australia, Cosmos members held concerts at the Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre in Sydney and the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, Monash University in Melbourne, also featuring day masterclasses for students. The recitals included compositions by both Maltese and international composers with most pieces from the group’s latest CD Premieres.
The captivating interdisciplinary production bringing together traditional stories, shadow puppetry and digital animation set to contemporary music, Ħrejjef – Maltese Folktales, enchanted South African young people. Maltese folktales presented in the style of a traditional storyteller were accompanied by a live piano score. Paul Portelli narrated while Tricia Dawn Williams accompanied on the piano. Music was composed by the internationally renowned composer Ruben Zahra. The award-winning project participated in the Cape Town Fringe Festival and was performed at other venues in Cape Town and Johannesburg. This project was held in collaboration with Fondazzjoni Ċentru għall-Kreattivita’ and Żigużajg international arts festival for children and young people.
The Valletta International Baroque Ensemble, resident ensemble of the Valletta International Baroque Festival, is a vibrant Malta-based group whose repertoire includes rich Maltese baroque works. The group gave a wonderful recital at Marlborough House in London, an event that was attended by guests including several Maltese living in the city. VIBE performed works by Maltese baroque composers among other beautiful pieces, and was the first performance in what is hoped to be the start of a great export programme.
The CHOGM External Culture Programme wrapped up with Sandro Zerafa and Joe Debono in Canada, who first performed together as a duo 20 years ago, driven by the first editions of the Malta Jazz Festival. This cultural project united them together once again as they toured in Toronto, Montreal and Hamilton, entertaining Canadian audiences.
Through this programme, Malta’s cultural wealth was witnessed first-hand by six Commonwealth member States, while artists who collaborated within the CHOGM Malta 2015 framework had the opportunity to interact with other colleagues in different environments. The deserving artists received increased publicity, as most international audiences were exposed to Maltese art performances for the first time. These cultural projects ran from June to November and were made possible thanks to the great collaboration between all parties involved.