An international Maltese diaspora monument competition for all Maltese living abroad has been launched by the organising committee of the Convention for Maltese Living Abroad.

A fourth convention is being planned by the Foreign Ministry to be held in April next year.

In a bid to involve the thousands of Maltese living around the world individually, besides the Council for the Maltese Living Abroad, which represented them, the competition for a free-standing monument was launched.

The design(s) should be original work(s) and artists may apply individually or as a group. Each applicant or group may submit up to three maquettes and the monument should epitomise the spirit of Malta’s Diaspora and the Greater Malta concept.

The maximum dimensions of the proposed monument would be 50cm long, 30cm inward and 70cm high.

Artists, who might have submitted logo and memento pieces to the previous competition, may also participate in this competition and submission(s), if appropriate, can be the same for both competitions.

The ministry will consider works using only limestone, sandstone, granite, marble, ceramic, glass, wood, copper, brass and/or papier mâché.

The final decision of selecting the maquette and the location where the monument will be placed is exclusively the ministry’s. The maquettes will become the property of the ministry without any prejudice. The name of the artist(s) will be indicated on or next to the monument once installed and all participants will receive a certificate of participation.

All participating maquettes are to be forwarded to the nearest Malta High Commission, Malta Embassy, Malta Permanent Representation or Consulate. The final work will be chosen by an independent judge in Malta.

Works must be submitted to the nearest Malta High Commission, Malta Embassy or Malta Permanent Representation by June 30 at noon.