Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1107757
ARTS 14 | SUNDAY • 21 APRIL 2019 maltatoday ARTS Council Malta has an- nounced the list of winners for the second edition of Il-Premju għall-Arti, the National Arts Awards, which celebrate the achievements of the cultural and creative sectors. The red carpet gala event was broadcasted live on TVM2. The National Arts Awards, now in its second edition, is a yearly highlight for the island's art scene. Arts Council Malta congratulates all the winners and nominees after last night's successful event. Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici was present and made reference to that fact that we should protect and strengthen our cultural and artistic iden- tity through such initiatives as the Premju għall-Arti. "This initiative which gives national recognition to our artists also serves as a platform for established artists and new ones to share their talent. This event also further strengthens our strategy to increase profes- sionalisation and excellence in this important sector, for the benefit of society," he said. This year's guest perform- ers were Kor Malta, Marcin Patrzalek and Żfin Malta. The work presented this year was something new and specific to the event itself. Kor Malta, headed by Veronique Vella, performed Anton Buttiġieġ's original piece Il-Kebbies tal- Fanali written by Trevor Żahra whilst Żfin Malta's unique per- formance was based on the life and work of Richard England. The young talented Mar- cin Patrzalek, winner of the Joaquin Rodrigo Festival, "Must be the Music" Poland's biggest talent show and more recently "Tu Si Que Vales" the Italian TV talent show, per- formed his own musical rear- rangements and original musi- cal pieces who also closed the evening with thunderous ap- plause from the audience. The winners, spread over 13 categories, included Richard England receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Peo- ple's Choice Award, which was voted by members of the pub- lic, went to the Valletta 2018 Foundation for their produc- tion of the Valletta 2018 Open- ing. Other categories included Best Project in the Communi- ty, Best International Achieve- ment, Young Artist of the Year and Best Creative Enterprise. The categories were selected according to Arts Council Malta's strategic priorities as outlined in the Council's Strat- egy2020, its five-year plan for the cultural and creative sec- tors. "All award-winning events are a strong and evocative way of tapping people on the back for a job well done. Arts Council Malta considers its annual appointment with the artistic community to rec- ognise talent as one of its most important vehicles to encour- age further growth in the sec- tor," said Arts Council Malta Executive Chairman Albert Marshall. The winners were selected by a jury of sectoral experts and Arts Council Malta represent- atives from the nominations submitted through an open call. The Awards cover projects, productions or activities in the cultural and creative sectors which have been premiered or presented between 1 Septem- ber 2017 and 31 August 2018. The winners received a pres- tigious award, a sculpture in glass and ceramic by Maltese artist Kane Cali. Il-Premju għall-Arti is an ini- tiative of Arts Council Malta through the National Fund for Artistic Excellence within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government. Il-Premju ghall-Arti winners announced Richard England receives the Lifetime Achievement Award The New Victorians (below left) won the Artist of the Year award and Luke Saydon was crowned Young Artist of the Year Richard England was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award The Valletta 2018 Opening Ceremony received the Audience's Choice Award Andrew Farrugia's Anvil Games Studios was recognised as Best Creative Enterprise