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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 MAY 2021 7 CULTURE Historical perspectives of Franco-Maltese relationships AUDREY JANDIN A series of cultural symposia on the theme 'Malta and France: Shared Histories, New Visions' took place on 7 May, in an event hosted by the President of the Republic. THE symposia aimed at ex- ploring and explaining Malta's unique historical and cultural ties with France. The series were opened with a symposium held simultaneous- ly by a videoconferencing with the embassy of the French Re- public to Malta. The symposium was in line with the objective of the HOPE initiative (History teaching ob- servatory for peace in Europe), supported by France during its presidency of the Council of Europe, aimed at rebuilding a common vision of the shared history between Valletta and Paris. The purpose of such a symposium was not purely his- torical. It also aimed to look at the long term, before Bonapar- te's ascendancy, and to explore the current state of the bilateral relationship between Malta and France. "The exchange of ideas, in- formation, art, language, and other aspects of culture among nations and their peoples fos- ters mutual understanding. The arts, science, culture, and music have contributed both jointly and single-handedly at fostering common histories. Indeed, the legacy is indelible, albeit often- times occasionally shrouded in the mist of time. Most is known and published. Other facets, which these symposia hold promise to present and cele- brate, are less known," Presi- dent of Malta George Vella said. The symposium was organized along three fields: history, the arts and sciences, and human exchanges. Twenty-five speak- ers were present. The open- ing began with Brigitte Cur- mi, Ambassador of the French Republic to Malta and Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Malta. Anne Brogini, French historian, recalled the French influence in Malta, through the essential role of order of St John. She stressed the trade of responsions with the main Mediterranean ports like Marseilles at 16th centu- ry. She also highlighted that in Valletta, the French accounted for almost 60% of foreign wed- dings at the end of 17th century, and the proportion of French in Valletta was 49%. The first history of the French in Malta was developed by Alain Blondy, historian and profes- sor emeritus, about the great misunderstanding Bonaparte years. The Franco-Maltese re- lationships during the British colonisation were discussed by Charles Xuereb, historian. Claude Busuttil, from the fac- ulty of architecture University of Malta spoke about the lega- cy of the French military engi- neers. French and Maltese per- sonalities in 18th century were discussed by associate professor Carmen Depasquale of Univer- sity of Malta. Then human exchanges were the second part of the series of cultural symposia with a pres- entation of Maltese contem- porary musicians in France by Karl Fiorini and Simon Schem- bri, a discussion coordinated by Karten Xueren, Research Officer, Ministry for Nation- al Heritage, the Arts and Local Government. Then Norbert Bugeja of University of Malta underlined the Journal of Théo- pile Gautier's travel to Malta. Ge- neviève Falgas and Carmen Depasquale, associate of Uni- versity of Malta, discussed the Maltese migration to France and North Africa. Adriana Gri- ma, from the Department of Maltese of University of Malta, spoke about the landscapes of Revolution in Paris and Malta. Finally, Carmelo Inguanez, Ambassador of Malta, conclud- ed via video conferencing. The Presidency Culture Sym- posia Series endeavoured to position culture as a diplomatic tool in the hands of the highest Office of the State, fostering di- alogue and cultural exchanges between peer experts and re- searchers in both countries and beyond. The French Embassy in Malta AUTHOR Moyra Sammut has recently published her latest novel 'A Map Of Scars.' The book centres around a chance discovery by Geor- gina Parker in the back streets of Valletta which forces her to make a decision that will change her life and of those around her. Parker finds her- self on a path to self-discovery at the brink of WWII; a jour- ney that takes her across the Mediterranean to the White Cliffs of Dover. Will her dream to join the war effort cost her everything? Will she ever find the true love she seeks among the machinations of war? Born and raised in Malta to a Maltese father and British mother, Moyra Sammut had an idyllic childhood, with both cultures instilled in her and her siblings. The blend of the two cultures, together with a fasci- nation for World War II, were thus deeply rooted, as real-life events were passed on to her from both grandfathers, who actively participated in the war; one as an air raid recruit based in Malta and the other fighting in Anzio with the British Army. Ms Sammut travelled exten- sively during her employment as a travel journalist, where she would document far-to-reach destinations in such vivid de- scriptions that it earned her a middle page weekly spread in local newspapers, which is where her love for writing be- came apparent as her popu- larity spread. In her first book, 'A Map of Scars', she conveys the memoires passed on to her with intense and historic real- ism, which the reader is invited to delve into. Writer Moyra Sammut publishes new book on self discovery Writer Moyra Sammut 'Map Of Scars' is available for purchase from Olympia Publishers for £9.99