WATCH: New dance film ‘Gaia’ captures Malta’s beauty through movement

Jul 27 2021

Stunning locations feature in the latest dance piece called ‘Gaia – Gaian Thinking Is Not A Luxury’, commissioned by the Oxford Festival of the Arts (OFA). In partnership with Dancin’ Oxford, Oxford International Links, Mandala Theatre and Ashtar THeatre’s International Digital and Live Festival for the Global Dance Film Project, the mesmerising piece was performed by Contact Dance Company and choreographed by Francesca Abela Tranter.

The performing bodies sway and grasp the attention of the watcher as Maltese sea waves crash onto the beach and the dancers make their way around iconic rubble walls. Speaking about the piece, choreographer Abela Tranter stated that the piece arrives at the strangest of times, with second lockdown imposing its ‘manic panic restrictions.’

The concept reaches towards the myth of Gaia as divine personification of the earth and matriarch of all things in existence. Tranter spoke about how she wished to project the very small part of the earth she and her dancers inhabit – the island of Malta. A contrast was created between rehearsing online versus going out into nature and rekindling the physical connection performing artists crave.

The music was created by Ruben Zahra, with the performance undertaken by Zoe Camilleri, Gabriella Davies, Chakib Zidi and Julia Lundberg. Produced by Emma Megan Tranter and filmed by Jean Paul Caruana, ‘Gaia – Gaian Thinking is nota Luxury’ captures Malta’s dramatic landscape through elegant choreography and a concept that brings it all together.

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Photo Source: @artsfestivaloxford IG

Gozitan forced to quarantine in Maltese hotel after testing COVID-19 positive

Jul 27 2021

President at LGBTI+ Gozo and Maltese Commonwealth Youth Ambassador Eman Borg posted to Facebook to express his concern on a Gozitan stuck in Malta due to COVID-19. He states how this Goiztan tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated and after undergoing a rapid test. He is allegedly being asked to live in a hotel instead of going to his home in Gozo. This is because, according to Borg, the government does not provide the necessary means for him to undergo the journey home.

Borg points out how were he Maltese, he would not have to pay all the money that is required of him. He is reportedly being charged for the food but not the stay at the hotel. ‘Once again, a Gozitan is discriminated against for being Gozitan’ says Borg. He expresses his anger at the fact that despite this, others were allowed to protest recklessly and illegally about COVID-19.

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Photo Source: Eman Borg FB, Malta Travel Guide

No symptoms for quarter of people with COVID-19 in hospital

Jul 27 2021

Following routine testing for the virus at Mater Dei, a quarter of the COVID-19 patients in the hospital were found without symptoms as they were admitted to hospital for other health reasons. The Health Ministry stated that the asymptomatic patients have all been vaccinated, undergoing required pre-op swabbing or were tested at emergency. As of writing this article, 37 positive patients are currently being treated at Mater Dei Hospital, with one in the ITU.

The number of patients increased from 19 on Saturday to 34 on Sunday, dwindling to 37 by today. Of Monday’s 30 patients, around half had been vaccinated. 7 of these had symptoms while the remaining were in hospital for a wide range of medical conditions. All those who were unvaccinated were found to have symptoms. Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci stated that the vaccine’s efficacy can be clearly seen since only one patient is in intensive care.

March’s partial lockdown drastically impacted Mater Dei’s situation for the positive as hospitalisations fell from 245 to 143. Hospitalisations are correlated to infections, meaning that drops in active cases leads to fewer hospital admissions. The vaccine weakened the correlation. Despite Malta having had more than 2,000 active cases before, the hospitalisations have significantly dropped.

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Photo Source:International Disability Alliance, Wikipedia

Online backlash after homophobic bouncer kicks couple out of Nordic Bar Malta

Jul 27 2021

A post shared on Maltese Facebook group ‘Are You Being Served? (Malta and Gozo) Original’ sparked online rage as a woman shared her horrendous experience at Nordic Bar Malta. The woman, named Celine Balzan Gera, revealed how she and another female friend went to the bar and were asked to sit down due to restrictions. It was not long however before they were promptly kicked out by a bouncer for sharing a kiss.

Gera pointed out that they both resisted at first as they were unsure why they were being kicked out of the bar. The bouncer however got more violent as he allegedly threw both women down on the ground, kicked them and put pressure on them to keep them down. Gera shared photos of the bouncer in question, exclaiming how this was the first time she experienced such homophobic abuse to this level, despite having gone to the bar before. She called on authorities to take action, sharing the news to the Facebook group which was met with support with the two women.

Community Manager at Allied Rainbow Communities – ARC Clayton Mercieca shared the post, asking Paceville club owners to sort out their bouncers. He said that no one should be subjected to this sort of treatment simply for sharing a kiss. He asked the bar not to shake off the responsibility by saying that they do not directly employ the bouncers as they have a responsibility in regards to who works within their club or bar.

The MGRM has also since posted revealing how Nordic Bar was one of the frequently mentioned venues in their study on LGBTIQ safety. They stated that at this point, they advise the community not to go to the venue unless action is taken to guarantee safety to the community. The non-profit also offered its service to accompany anyone who suffered such homophobic abuse to the police station and how it offers free legal service and legal follow up on the community’s behalf. The club owner is allegedly investigating the claims as the story develops.

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Photo Source: Clayton Mercieca FB, MGRM FB