Għana is now part of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list

Dec 16 2021

Malta’s traditional folk music known as għana has just been considered an intangible cultural heritage of mankind by UNESCO.

The inscription was unanimously approved by Unesco’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage.

Also requiring the consent of the communities concerned, the application had numerous signatures from għannejja and Ghana enthusiasts. A group of għannejja also submitted a video emphasising their support of the initiative through għana.

Addressing an assembly, Heritage Minister José Herrera expressed appreciation for the decision to inscribed the folk song into the list, stating how this was a great honour to all the local singers and guitarists.

Unesco’s inscription highlights that the folk song describes three related types of rhymed folksong. These are the quick-wit (spirtu front), factual għana, and the għana Bormliza. Għana is the second Maltese element in the UNESCO list with the first being ftira.

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Photo Source: Jose Herrera FB, GuideMeMalta

Local road safety advert featuring black face gets slammed as racist

Dec 16 2021

Forming part of the Street Smart Campaign by insurance company Mapfre’s social progress foundation, Foundacion Mapfre, a series of road safety video advertisements were slammed for racism.

The videos depict a careless driver as black, with a lighter-skinned responsible family. The careless driver in blackface and textured hair was named Mr Careless. The Safe family were fair-skinned and strive to make good decisions on the road.

Black Lives Matter Malta said the fact that Mr Careless is visibly different from the other ‘responsible’ family continues to propagate the idea that ‘bad is black’. This is a term for the phenomenon wherein people are more likely to receive another to commit a crime if their skin tones are darker.

“BLM Malta also finds it necessary to stress the importance of recruiting people with diverse origins and backgrounds in positions where decisions are taken so that such unacceptable productions are challenged and prevented from being released.”

The African Media Association Malta also struck at the adverts, shaming them for portraying the most horrible form of racism.

“The white guys are the good ones, who drive well and careful on the road, while the Black ones are bad! White people drive well, and black people are a danger on the road, says the ad. The use of blackface was supposed to add fun to the ugly story. How is it possible?

In response, a spokesperson for Mapfre defended the campaign and described it as innocent. The reaction was also labelled as disproportionate. The focus, they said, is to create awareness about road safety measures.

“The videos were produced in a cartoonish way to appeal to a young audience and the fact that the faces were painted in yellow and grey were just to make it attractive. There was no intention whatsoever of portraying black people as being the bad ones.

The video was produced by Danusan and was commissioned by Malta Public Transport. A spokesperson by the organisation also defended the video. “It is clear that the characters in this educational video series are crash test dummies, and the actors’ faces are painted in yellow and grey paint.’

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Source: MAPFRE Middlesea Youtube

Authorities slammed by Tarxien priest over Baby Jesus Procession pandemic rules

Dec 16 2021

Fr Chris Ellul, Tarxien’s parish priest, urged the public to voice their concerns after the authorities announced that barriers will have to be used at the town’s Baby Jesus procession due to the pandemic.

Publishing an email the of the Malta Tourism Authority risk assessment which he received after requesting permission for the traditional procession, he was informed that events guidelines will need to be followed.

These include enclosing the event with barriers, booking, temperature checks, wearing masks and others. The MTA went on to ask him if he could clarify if his event can be organised in such a manner.

The priest questioned why the procession needs to be enclosed by barriers, saying the rule is a sign of a ‘spineless society.’ He criticised the MTA for demanding barriers where they want but not in other places. ‘Now come and clap and pose for photos. People, open your eyes and make your voices heard.’

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Photo Source: Chris Ellul FB

Changes from online to physical examinations spark student outrage

Dec 16 2021

Information sent to this newsroom by students taking their examinations for Masters in Accountancy alleged confusing changes made last minute in regards to exams by the faculty.

A student told MaltaDaily that this morning (16th December 2021), the faculty confirmed to the students that the examinations will take place online, leading to students settling down due to having an idea as to the procedure.

However, after the last lecture was finished, a student was allegedly called to inform her and in turn inform the students that the exams will be held physically, so as not to ‘bombard’ the faculty.

This led to considerable outrage from everyone in the course due to quarantine issues. This is because anyone who isn’t able to attend the exam will reportedly be forced to retake it in September.

This has further consequences of keeping students from stating work due to having to take their examinations at the end of the summer. Students raising their concerns were also allegedly received ‘coldly’ and ignored.

Many students had the main goal of working full time in May, but this can potentially harm their chances of finding jobs or actually being able to work due to the insecurity of quarantines in exam periods. This is a developing story.