A large-scale Malta week is being held at the European Parliament between October 4 and 7, MEPs Simon Busuttil and Louis Grech announced today.
Addressing a news conference they said that this year, for the first time, all five Maltese MEPs were teaming up to organise the week with the objective of providing a platform to promote Maltese art, crafts, music, food and drink in the EU institutions.
The aim of this event is to present a contemporary image of Malta reflecting its rich culture, history and aspirations and the overall goal is to formulate a programme which will enhance Malta's name and image.
All events will take place in a tent purposely set up in the square in front of the EP building next to Place du Luxembourg, a popular square where people transit in and out of the parliamentary building and hang out after a day’s work.
The intention is to recreate a typical Maltese scene within the European context, taking the Maltese Pjazza and transporting it virtually into a global cyber piazza.
Malta will be portrayed as a young nation built on solid foundations yet forward-looking, ready and assertive enough to contribute to the future. The Global Pjazza symbolises the hub of activity that projects Malta as an active participant in realising the European vision.
A 30 by 15 metre tent structure will be set up in the space facing Place du Luxembourg which will become the active hub for this three-day activity.
The event proposes to turn the area into a hub of activity that gives the visitor both an insight into the islands history as well as a glimpse of Malta’s vision. The space becomes an open invitation. Colourful banners surrounding the area will generate visual interest.
The tent/pjazza will be decorated with artefacts (e.g. festa bandalori and banners, karozzin, ghonnella and boats) and will host activities that reflect the traditional ontology of Maltese culture. The traditional is juxtaposed against plasma screens and modern technology (e.g. the streaming of footage from the Maltese piazza) that reflect the contemporary Maltese narrative. Large print images showing aerial shots of various 'pjazzas' in Malta would also be on show.
OUTLINE OF EVENTS
Exhibition opening, October 4, 2010
A showcase of paintings by a representative number of prominent Maltese artists will be set up. The overall idea of this exhibition is to promote some of Malta’s most prominent talents on the European stage. This would reflect the artists’ drive to explore the creative challenges of the 21st century.
The artists will display a number of works related to the theme of the event, the Maltese Pjazza and related activity.
The exhibition will be opened by the European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek; the Maltese Commissioner John Dalli together with the five Maltese MEPs.
The Maltese Wedding
The aim is to bring Malta to the heart of Brussels, and the European Parliament a typical Maltese Festa. During this week the European Parliament square will host a Maltese Festa offering a variety of typical Maltese food and drink and a display of Maltese art and culture. The square will be transformed and will emulate a Maltese Wedding Cermony.
Re-enactment of a traditional Maltese wedding festivity during which actors in period costumes parade through the tent and surrounding areas accompanied by a Maltese band playing traditional tunes. Flowers are thrown around the bride and groom by the well-wishers and traditional Maltese finger food and wedding sweets of pastareale will be savoured freely by the visitor.
A local Maltese Band will acompany the bride and groom in a walk through the European Palriament’s main entrance up to the reception hall while playing typical festive music.
All members of the European Parliament together with their assistants as well as Maltese people residing in Brussels will be invited to enjoy and partake in this event. This event will expose foreign guests to the creative culinary skills that Malta has to offer.
Artifact Displays
These displays will also feature artisans working on the spot to produce typical and prestigious Maltese crafts. Visitors will also be invited to participate in the production of these crafts. They may choose to do some pottery or join in the preparation filigree.
- Arlogg Malti (tal-Lira)
- Pottery
- Filgree
- Glass blowing
- Lace Making (Combini)
- Bandalori
A number of screens will be set up to show footage of Malta displaying an array of scenes during different seasons and times of day.
A selection of Maltese Meze
A selection of Maltese appetizers such as olives, bigilla, kunserva, zalzett, gbejniet tal-bżar u xotti, olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, galletti etc will be accompanied by tastings of Maltese wines.
Maltese traditional bread will be baked and served with a selection of condiments.
Others food stalls will offer a selection of pies with lampuki, rabbit, ricotta and also the typical pastizzi and qassata.
A calendar of traditional sweets will display typical sweets prepared for different occasions as for example Prinjolata, Figolli, Kwarezimal, Zeppole ta’ San Ġużepp, Qagħaq tal-Għasel, Torta tal-Lewz, Imqaret, Qubbajt
CONCERTS
Two concerts will be held during Malta Week on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
On Tuesday the atmosphere will change and Malta will be depicted under a modern light with contemporary artists that will include artists like Chiara and Ira Losco.
On Wednesday the concert will feature songs and performances from the past including a show by a local folk dance group and music by Nafra.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CANTEEN
The European Parliament canteen is visited daily by a hundreds of people working within this institution as well as several visitors. On the occasion of Malta Week the MEPs are also organising a special Maltese dish that will be served in the European Parliament Canteen. The aim is to continue to extend our culture and tradition within the European Parliament.