Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Buontempo stated that “this government believes firmly that local councils fulfil a central role in spreading awareness in the arts and culture among the Maltese.”
He was speaking today at the Fortress Builders Building during the launching of the July cultural activities organised by local councils.
Dr Buontempo said that local councils fulfil this role both when organising activities on their territory as well as when they organise cultural tours.
He referred to a project in which three local councils partnered with the University of Malta and created an itinerary of Safi, Mqabba and Kirkop, aimed at giving visitors a local and authentic experience.
Dr Buontempo spoke also about the concession granted by Heritage Malta where it charges a nominal entrance fee of €1 to all of its sites to all those who visit them while participating in a cultural tour organised by a local council.
The Parliamentary Secretary described how the government created a €250,000 fund to help local councils organise cultural activities of a high standard. The fund is administered by the Arts Council Chairman, the Director of Culture, a representative of the Malta Tourism Authority and the Chairman of the Valletta 18 Foundation. This shows our commitment of improving the level of such activities with a view of being part of the activities taking place in 2018 when Valletta will be the European Capital City of Culture.
The Gudja, Sliema, Ta’ Xbiex, Żabbar and Mellieħa local councils were among the councils which this board holds that their proposals have reached a high standard, and thus were awarded a total of €35,000 for their activities,” said Dr Buontempo.
He described this investment as, “a tangible sign of this government’s commitment to help local councils in fulfilling their legal obligation of promoting their localities’ identity, as well as the arts and artisanship on a local level.”
Dr Buontempo wished the five local councils the best of luck with their activities.
The classical concert Erba’ Staġuni will be held on 8th July in Gudja. The Sliema Arts Festival will be held from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July while ‘Connecting Through Cultures’ will take place at Ta’ Xbiex on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July. The Żabbar Arts and Music Festival will be held on Saturday 25th July, while Mellieħa Nights will be held from Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August.
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