Being the councillor in charge of culture in the Balzan local council has helped me understand how local councils can act as catalysts of a cultural revival in their localities. Excellent work is already being carried out in the cultural field byseveral local councils and this augurs well for the future.
One of the most pressing needs that I see and one where local councils can be of great assistance is that of local history. Our towns and villages all have a history to be proud of. The residents belonging to the older generation of these localities all have experiences which should be collected and preserved for posterity.
How was the village feast celebrated in the past? Which lost cultural traditions do these old people remember? How was daily life in the locality different from what it is today? Several local councils have engaged professionals in the field who have interviewed residents of an advanced age and published their recollections in books.
Another important initiative has been that of reviving local festivals which had died out. Agrarian festivals in rural areas immediately come to mind. These activities have the advantage of being both social and commercial in nature. They are an excellent opportunity for the locals to interact with other residents of the locality as well as visitors while, at the same time, local products are being showcased and given excellent promotion.
Even contemporary festivals of music and dance with no connection to the past can serve a very valid cultural purpose if local talent is encouraged. For example, at Balzan I have always insisted on including members of the local band clubs, young singers with potential and members of the local pyrotechnic association in all our festivals. There is no better way of promoting cultural events in one’s locality than by involving the local talent in all aspects of the event being organised.
Seminars are another way of promoting local culture. In every locality, one finds people who are experts on aspects of local history and culture. They can be the speakers at such activities, providing an expert talk on a particular subject of local interest, fielding questions and discussing topics of interest with the audience.
Another important initiative has been that of reviving local festivals which had died out. Agrarian festivals in rural areas immediately come to mind
Seminars organised by local councils on such topics appeal to many residents who want to discover more about the locality they live in.
Then, of course, one must mention the fact that many localities can boast of several cultural treasures of inestimable value: paintings in chapels and churches, statues, architectural gems, etc. Several local councils have introduced a ‘heritage trail’ with public maps, signage and information material for those who wish to familiarise themselves with the cultural treasures of the locality, which have been handed down from one generation to another through the ages.
On a negative note, I do hope that local councils are not going to start wasting their time and resources on the most recent craze in Malta, i.e. that of breaking useless records. I can appreciate records which are related to the culture of lighting up a locality, for example. There is an aesthetic element involved here.
However, we have to be very careful that local councils do not get involved in such activities as trying to break the record of who eats the most hot dogs, who eats the most Maltese sausages, or who eats the most unbaked ravioli.
In my opinion, these are ‘records’ which we can do without and such activities should be stopped.
First of all, we are promoting something which is in itself negative: gluttony. Secondly, I have seen pictures of such events and noticed that children were present. Are these the examples we want our children to emulate? Is this the new type of ‘culture’ we want to create?
On a more positive note, I would like to point out that cultural activities by local councils can also serve the purpose of social and cultural integration.
At Balzan, the intercultural evening which the local council organises every October brings together residents of the locality from very different cultural backgrounds: Maltese, Somalis, Eritreans, etc. The event serves to highlight the richness of the different cultures of the participants, with a focus on food.
To conclude, I believe that the cultural activities organised by local councils are a very positive contribution to the promotion of culture on a local level. It is also refreshing to note that the central government is doing its utmost to support such initiatives. It is the whole country which ultimately stands to benefit if we continue to promote culture at a local level.
Our capital city, Valletta, as the European Capital of Culture in 2018, will be a fitting tribute to all the efforts being made in the field of culture at a local level in the Maltese islands.