Times Talk on TVM about the state of culture in Malta was well produced and presented.

Allow me to correct a remark by Mario Philip Azzopardi concerning Maltese plays at the Manoel Theatre in the last 21 years. Besides others, three of my plays were presented there during that period: Koperatturi’s production in March 1993 of Meta se Jisbaħ?, first prize MADC Playwriting Competition 1986 as Xi Darba Għada Jisbaħ; Talenti’s production in October 2000 of Kull Ġieħ u Glorja, first prize IV Edition Premju Francis Ebejer; and Bronk’s production in December 2007 of Awstralja.

It is a pity that Times Talk failed to consider our musical heritage.

The last time the Manoel presented a Maltese opera was in March 1999 when Pace’s I Martiri formed part of the 1999 Manoel (now BOV) Opera Festival, which also included Isouard’s De Rohan Mass. Since then, the festival has not involved a single item by a Maltese composer. This was also true of the Baroque Festival’s last edition.

As I wrote previously, 2018 marks the second centenary of Isouard’s death. Additionally, 2015 marks a third centenary of Girolamo Abos, born in Valletta on November 16, 1715. I would be surprised if anything is done to mark them. Of course, if it concerns foreign composers we would be more than ready to commemorate them.

Perhaps an independent commission be set up to examine the reasons and make corrective proposals. We should not be surprised that Malta placed second from last in cultural participation across the EU. If we demote our national heritage, why should we care about that of others?