Launch of the first ‘State of the Arts – Malta National Symposium’

Sep 2 2022

The first ‘State of the Arts – Malta National Symposium’ has been launched. This will take place on the 26th and 27th of October at the Valletta Campus Theatre, University of Malta. The symposium will examine Malta’s artistic sector and discuss issues that artists and creative practitioners face, in light of local and global challenges.

During a press conference, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici stated that this is another electoral proposal that is being fulfilled and reflects the government’s vision for Malta’s artistic sector as an important pillar for the country’s social and economic development. He emphasised that this symposium will further strengthen dialogue among all the stakeholders involved in this sector.

The symposium will explore several themes outlined in the recently published Strategy 2025 through a number of keynotes, panel discussions, workshops and networking opportunities with international and local artists. These themes include the working conditions of artists, artistic freedom and expression, arts and sustainable development, and cultural rights, amongst others.

Arts Council Malta’s Director-Funding and Strategy Mary Ann Cauchi stated that, “This symposium is a unique opportunity for us to critically examine the artistic sectors in Malta, particularly in light of the challenging global realities that inevitably shape artistic practice in Malta. This is particularly pertinent in light of the recent launch of Strategy 2025, which sets out Arts Council Malta’s strategic vision and priorities for the upcoming years”.

Keynote speakers include Professor Milena Dragićević Šešić, Shain Shapiro and Sara Whyatt.

Registrations for the symposium are open and interested attendees may register at maltaartssymposium.com. Reduced rates are available for students, older adults and representatives from NGOs and voluntary organisations. More information on the symposium, including the full programme, is available at maltaartssymposium.com.

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Spain’s tomato festival returns after two-year halt due to pandemic

Sep 2 2022

As much as 20,000 people gathered in the Spanish town of Buñol to throw bright red tomatoes as part of Spain’s La Tomatina festival, which returned after a two-year halt due to the pandemic.

Photo Source: Juan Medina/Reuters

The tomato festival saw trucks unload 130 tonnes of tomatoes in one of Buñol’s main streets, with attendees paying €12 each to take part in the traditional Spanish activity.

Inspired by a food fight between children in 1945, the one-hour activity showered the tomato-producing region with vibrant red pulp. The festival’s 75th anniversary has become an international tourist attraction, bringing in large quantities of visitors from around the world.

Would you consider attending La Tomatina festival?

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Photo Source: Juan Medina/Reuters

NGOs condemn 19-village project in Comino approved by ERA

Sep 2 2022

Five environmental activist organisations have expressed their frustration against the Environment & Resource Authority’s (ERA) failure to object against the replacement of nine bungalows with an ‘extensive village’ of 19 villas in Comino.

Calling such actions as appeals to the ‘commercial interests of a few catering to the wealthy’, BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth Malta, Moviment Graffitti and Nature Trust – Malta came together for a joint statement condemning such actions.

“Instead of safeguarding biodiversity and the delicate ecological balance of this Natura 2000 site, ERA has approved the extensive urbanisation of the island, the uprooting of 380 protected trees and the denaturation of the site”, Moviment Graffitti quoted in a recent Facebook post.

In addition to the 19 individually owned villas, there would also be a restaurant and a convenience store.

You can read the full statement here.

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“Situation at St Albert the Great College is now critical”, teachers union says

Sep 2 2022

The Malta Union of Teachers has stated that the situation at St. Albert the Great college is now ‘critical’, with many pressing issues still pending ahead of the start of the 2022 scholastic year.

The Union flagged a number of issues, namely that it is operating without a license “thanks to the decisions taken by the rector and board” and the rector is allegedly giving ‘false’ assurances to the school community.

“Meanwhile, to date, he has not even yet run the school’s timetable in the dedicated system. Preparations for the reopening are other than in place but are several weeks behind schedule,” the Union stated.

Additionally, the mUT highlighted how the rector’s decisions in the past weeks led to multiple resignations of teachers, LSEs, senior management and administrative staff, with parents seek assurances and getting empty promises.

The Malta Union of Teachers said that they are replying to a legal letter sent from the rector’s lawyers requesting the lifting of the trade dispute and respective directors, with the union standing by their decision. It went on to once again call for the rector and board’s resignation or termination from office.

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