The Sovereign Art Foundation’s grand finale is here – and you can vote!

Mar 18 2022

The Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize Malta and Gozo 2022 has just unveiled its finalist’s exhibitions – and you’re invited to vote to choose the winner.

The exhibition presents the finalists of the SAFSP Malta and Gozo 2022, which will recognise and reward some of the most talented secondary students on the island.

With a jury comprised of International experts who will select one finalist to be award the Judge’s Prize, the public are also invited to cast a vote. Whoever emerges victorious will win the Public Vote Prize, each with its own monetary reward.

Winning students receive cash prizes and trophies, while the school art departments will be receiving cash grants to be used for the wider benefit of all students and their creative pursuits.

For the Judge’s Prize, the student wins €500 and the school is awarded €1,500. When it comes to the Public Vote Prize, students are awarded €300 whereas the school is awarded €800.

The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) was founded in 2003 to recognise, support and promote contemporary art talent; and to bring the therapeutic benefits of art to disadvantaged children. They run contemporary art prizes for professional artists and students of art, the most established being The Sovereign Asian Art Prize – the most prestigious art award in Asia-Pacific.

Established in 2017, The SAF Student Prize Malta & Gozo has welcomed art pieces from multiple schools on the islands, with the strong belief that Art plays a vital role in fostering creativity and building confidence in young adults. The Foundation aims to use the prize to encourage artistic talent and showcase the efforts of those talented students across the country while providing a forum to promote Art and creativity in schools.

The finalists Exhibitions will be held in March, and you can vote for your favourite piece here.

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Photo Source: Sovereign Art Foundation Website

73 new families to find homes in new housing buildings unveils Roderick Galdes

Mar 18 2022

Minister for Accommodation Roderick Galdes addressed a press conference wherein he announced that new building blocks which will incorporate up to 73 new apartments. The new infrastructure is located in the zone known as ‘is-Sisla’ in Swatar, Birkirkara.

The Minister said that this project will give hope and housing to around 73 families as the service also incorporates garages and other ancillary services to the surrounding communities.

The project forms part of a governmental initiative which aims to develop 1,700 new houses for social accommodation with an investment which reaches up to €110 million – the biggest social investment to ever take place in Malta.

The minister said that five years ago the government immediately stated that it will be addressing the needs of this sector through any means possible. ‘We created a new method through which we could understand and build a system of housing which offers solutions.’

‘Today’, he continued, ‘we are opening up the new site from a series of buildings within which new families will be entering every month up until 2023. A site which alone consists of 73 apartments and thus set to welcome 73 new families. This is in line with the Allocation Strategy which we presented in the most transparent way back in October of 2021.’

The project is being described as a social monument which will address the needs of today but also of a future generation of Maltese and Gozitan people. The project is being funded by the investment company Malita Management p.l.c, with Social Projects Management Limited managing the project. Now that it is complete, the project is handed over to the Housing Authority so it can allocate apartments to the beneficiaries.

‘Our work is to focus on integration and inclusion to continue cultivating a united and just society’ concluded Galdes.

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LEGO Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Molotov cocktails sell out

Mar 18 2022

Ever since Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine, organisations all around the globe have come up with ways to support the now war torn country.

Among them is Chicago-based Citizen Brick, which manufactures LEGO mini-figures, which developed a unique way to support the people of Ukraine.

On Instagram back in early March, the company announced a special President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ‘minifig’ along with little Molotov cocktails. All the proceedings are going to support Ukraine.

The original post is no longer available as it was allegedly pulled off the platform due to the Molotov cocktails. The pieces were still a hit and sold out almost immediately. ‘We made as many as possible in a frantic 24 hours, with the CitizenBrick crew coming in on their day off to print.’

$16,540 were raised by the retailer and were donated to Direct Relief. The organisation is working to send much-needed medical supplies to Ukraine. The effort was so successful that CB printed another round of the figure, aiming to raise $100,000 in less than 24 hours.

Their goal was, of course, reached as the new batch also sold out. If you’re hoping to get your hands on your own LEGO Zelenskyy, keep your eyes peeled on Citizen Brick’s instagram page to see if they’re issuing a new round.

This also comes as they announce a donation of $16.5 million to emergency relief efforts which are geared toward children and families. Shipments of LEGO products to Russia have also been halted.

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OFFICIAL: Isle of MTV Malta returns with superstar DJ Marshmello to headline

Mar 18 2022

It’s official: Superstar DJ and grammy-nominated artist and producer Marshmello is set to headline Isle of MTV Malta 2022!

One of Malta’s favourite summer dates and Europe’s largest free summer festival will return to the iconic Il-Fosos Square in Floriana and globally-renowned DJ Marshmello is set to headline! The popular artist’s wave of popular songs include Silence, Wolves, Friends, Happier and Alone, all of which have been certified multi-platinum in several countries and appeared in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 30.

Marshmello stated that he “can’t wait to hit the Isle of MTV Malta stage for the first time to perform in front of a high-energy crowd in such a beautiful location”, – “it’s going to be epic”.

Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Clayton Bartolo said that as Malta continues to return to normality after two years of pandemic-related disruption, he is convinced that Isle of MTV Malta will be another opportunity to showcase the country’s credentials in the entertainment sector with the return of the iconic global brand.

The past 13 Isle of MTV festivals have welcomed some of the world’s biggest stars such as Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, David Guetta, Martin Garrix and so many more. The festival will be broadcast on MTV internationally and will showcase Malta and the festival to social and digital stations across 180 countries around the world.

The festival will be followed by Isle of MTV Malta Music Week, a number of club nights and parties spanning between July 19 and July 24.

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