Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1190498
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 DECEMBER 2019 7 CULTURE Christmas at the Fort WHILE it is a fact that the young generation of 60s writers and po- ets is, today, in the physical state of the third age, many of them are still highly active and productive in their own various realms, not least Maltese poetry. They were the protagonists in the enormous cultural and socio- political change of the Sixties, a small Maltese wave within the world-wide tsunami that changed completely the way people looked at their lives and all that impacted on them, from the moon landing of exactly fifty years ago to war and the winning of rights and liberties that had still been denied up to two decades from the end of the Second World War. Among the various literary genres, poetry was probably the most that underwent this remarkable change, with the new, the innovative and, sometimes, the risque' and the ex- perimental taking on the traditional thanks mainly to the new themat- ics which gave it a completely new face. Until the furore ended and tranquillity returned to the endur- ing cycle of generations. Charles Flores reflects on all this in his new collection of poetry "Bal- luta Blues", just out on the market by Horizons (www.horizons.com.mt) . In his book, which is as provocative as it is romantic and intimate, Flo- res makes practical use of the pas- sageway, a kind of black hole, to the 21st Century by exploiting today's thoughts, emotions and views from the seed he sowed in the Sixties and Seventies, watering it to fruition up to this day. "Balluta Blues" is the direct result of the inspirational fire of that great and burning forge, distant from the fumes and the smells of yesteryear, but providing an attractive form and a solid structure that only time can help create. Flores's message is not the past, however nostalgic he can often be, but today's, thanks mainly to verses and inspirations that are expressly of – and meant for – the 21st Century. The book is embroidered with the caligraphic art of Gordon Pace Flo- res whose contribution to "Balluta Blues", according to writer and poet Victor Fenech in his introduction to the book, "makes the work artistic as much as it is reflective." Fenech further adds: "There is no doubt Pace Flores' caligraphic art, sometimes in graffiti form, others in perfect harmony with the content, not only embellishes but also com- plements the poetry." Balluta Blues Books Charles Flores THIS weekend, Heritage Malta is transforming Fort St Angelo in a Christmas village wherein the public can enjoy traditional activities related to the festive season, guided tours of the Fort, choir singing and music. There will be free admission during this event. Today, the public can visit the Fort from 9am. Activities for children will start at 10am and will include art activities, the preparation of the pudina tal-ħobż, the con- struction of a paper crib and in- formation about the traditional procession of Baby Jesus. Mass will be celebrated at the Fort at 10.30am. The public can join a guided tour of the Fort in Maltese at noon and in English at 4pm. Music by the Malta School of Music and carol singing by the Centrestage Choir will enhance the merry atmos- phere. The Fort will close at 8pm (last admission 7.30pm). Visitors will also be able to visit a small exhibition of miniature cribs from differ- ent countries which were donated to Heritage Malta by Albert and Lina McCarthy. Some stalls will offer artisan gifts while Heritage Malta will be presenting a series of special offers on its various publications. Food stalls in the food court at the Officers' Lounge Ter- race will serve a selection of cold and warm snacks, Mal- tese Christmas delicacies and warm Christmas drinks. Children can keep a me- mento of this experience by taking a photo with Father Christmas. A ticket is required for guided tours (€2 each), art activities (€3), and children's activities (€5 each). Tickets are available from Heritage Malta museums and sites or from the recep- tion at Fort St Angelo during the event. These activities are on first- come, first-served basis. In the case of bad weather, please consult the Facebook event page for an updated programme. Fort St Angelo is being transfomed into a Christmas village