Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1081437
14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 FEBRUARY 2019 CULĊTURE CULTURE ALTHOUGH one may believe that our ancient human ancestors were very different from us, their funda- mental physiological and psycho- logical needs would have been quite similar. This is gracefully expressed in the prehistoric miniature figure of 'The embracing couple' which is being exhibited at the National Museum of Archaeology on the occasion of Valentine's Day. This unique figure is, to date, the only artefact from Malta, dating to the Maltese Neolithic period, which shows human emotions im- mortalised through artistic expres- sion. The artefact dates back to ca. 3200 B.C. and was found at Tarx- ien Temples; one of the prehistoric megalithic temple sites of Malta. Due to the antiquity of the arte- fact, one can only hypothesise as to what its actual meaning is. How- ever, it is fascinating to presume that the embracing couple figurine might be portraying an affection or love which existed thousands of years ago. 'The embracing couple' will be exhibited at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta until Sunday 17 February. Last admis- sion is at 4.15pm. The exhibition is set up in the lobby area and is free of charge. More information is available at Heritage Malta's website www. heritagemalta.org A timeless embrace for Valentine's Day TEATRU Malta will be opening their 2019 programme with the highly antici- pated children's opera, Il-Qtates ta' max- Xatt, on 23 and 24 February in partner- ship with Festivals Malta. This magical piece is an adaptation of the much-loved children's book by Maltese author Clare Azzopardi, directed by Denise Mulhol- land and composed by Euchar Gravina. The opera, suitable for children aged between 8 and 10, will be held at the historic Maritime Museum in Birgu. This heartwarming story treats the sensitive subject of loss through the eyes of a group of singing stray cats who struggle to come to terms with the 'disappearance' of two of the most important people in their life: nanna and nannu. Audiences young and old are invited to indulge in this melodious interpre- tation of a story that explores one of children's greatest fears through the cheerful mediums of puppetry and song. The cats will be played by opera fa- vourites like Clare Ghigo, Ruth Sam- mut Casingena, Francesca Aquilina, Sean Borg and Louis Andrew Cassar but they won't be the only ones steal- ing the show because the cats are ac- tually puppets made by the talented Matthew Pandolfino. Nanna and Nannu will be interpreted by Ruth Sammut Casingena who will be doubling as Pippistrell the cat and Nanna while Jean Pierre Busuttil will be interpreting the role of Nannu. This short opera of no longer than 45 minutes will be the perfect outing for the whole family looking to do some- thing a little different over the week- end. With both a matinee performance at 3pm and an early evening show at 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday, it's the perfect spot of entertainment before or after an afternoon tea or early din- ner along the charming Birgu prom- enade with your younger ones. Il-Qtates ta' max-Xatt is a collabo- rative work in partnership with Arts Council Malta, Festivals Malta, the Three Palaces Festival, Culture Pass Malta, The Ministry for Education and Employment, LESA and Heritage Malta. To book tickets or for more informa- tion on this playful piece visit teatru- malta.org.mt or call 21220255. The cat's out of the bag