In the wake of a damning report ranking Malta’s cultural participation as the second lowest in Europe, Kim Dalli catches up with three children who are doing it right.
Geordie Schembri, 10, Żejtun
How can anyone not love reading? Without reading you cannot have an imaginative mind. Reading gives me new ideas and helps me in my creative writing and in compositions. I get inspired. Through reading, you discover new worlds.
My absolute favourite author has to be Michael Morpurgo. My personal favourite of his is called Cool. I also love Enid Blyton’s books.
My Christmas wish list includes the book Strange Case on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. I’ve heard a lot about the story and can’t wait to read it for myself.
I love watching plays. I love to act myself, so I enjoy observing other actors. In fact, the more plays I watch, the more I learn. Plus plays are relaxing and enjoyable. A lot of work goes into setting up a production. People need to appreciate that.
I love to act myself, so I enjoy observing other actors
My favourite play this past year was called The Complete History of Malta (More or Less). They performed a number of historical episodes, giving them a humorous twist. I laughed so much I cried! I heard they also have a similar one on science. I definitely want to watch that one next.
Jacob Grech, 11, Siġġiewi
I must say I really enjoy reading. I’m very much into literature based on the medieval era, my favourite authors being J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I make it a point to read a book a week and by ‘a book’, I mean a 300-page one.
I also enjoy reading the very informative National Geographic magazines and the BBC history magazines. In fact, I like watching a number of documentaries, such as those aired on the National Geographic channel, the Travel Channel and the Science Channel.
Reading can take you on brilliant journeys. There’s nothing else which gives you such an extensive experience. The range and diversity of books is huge – there is something for everyone.
Reading is also very good for one’s general knowledge of languages. I believe it makes you a much better person.
I’ve been to the public library in Floriana and I was not impressed. I think Malta needs to improve in that respect. It was quite disorganised and there was no variety for my age group. I couldn’t find any older children’s books... and I had quite a hunt.
I’ve been to a number of performances at the Manoel Theatre and at St James Cavalier. My favourite play this past year was The Complete History of Malta (More or Less).
I think plays get you to interact in a much better way than, say, watching a movie on your computer. It is more immediate because you’re actually seeing it being performed before your eyes.
I’m looking forward to watching Ir-Ritorn today – it’s part of Żigużajg’s Arts Festival and will be held at the Fortifications Centre, in Valletta.
Liam Vella, 14, San Ġwann
I love going to the theatre and watching plays. You learn so much. There’s always some sort of message hidden in them. And it gives you something to think about.
One of my favourites was Romeo and Juliet. The performance I saw was recast in a modern style so the costumes, the set and the language used were all contemporary.
I’m not alien to Shakespeare and his language. I’ve always loved acting, in fact, I attend drama lessons. My absolute favourites are monologues. Last year, I performed a piece from Macbeth for my exam. It was the part when he sees the dagger before him. I had to show a mixture of anger and fear before the murder.
At first, it all seemed pretty difficult but I soon got the hang of it. Plus I learnt a bunch of new words.
I had to show a mixture of anger and fear before the murder
Now I’m working on a monologue from Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. In fact, I’d really like to watch performances of Macbeth and Doctor Faustus in the near future.
My favourite books are the Percy Jackson series, the Goosebumps series, Lord of the Rings and books on Doctor Who. My preferred Maltese books are Fra Mudest and most of Trevor Zahra’s novels. Every two weeks, I borrow a book from the school library.