Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1440009
14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JANUARY 2022 NEWS 19. Italy chooses president Italian lawmakers will vote in Janu- ary to elect a new president instead of Sergio Mattarella. Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who presides over a wide coalition spanning from right to left, is the prime candidate for the role having steered Italy through the choppy waters of the pandemic. But losing him from the executive could unsettle the government, cause instability and lead to early elections. 20. Muzika, Muzika is back The Maltese song festival Muzi- ka Muzika returns for its second edition in 2022 after its wide- ly-acclaimed debut last year. The festival will be held between 24 and 26 March. This year promises to be no less exciting with names like Gaia Cauchi, X Factor finalists Nicole Frendo and Bloodline, and veterans Claudia Faniello and Kurt Calleja. ALEXANDRA ALDEN THIS year, much like the one be- fore it, posed a challenge to the arts in more ways than one. We are all familiar with the restrictions on events, performances and cultural spaces such as museums. Beyond how art needed to be supplanted from our lives in physical spaces, however, it was affected in less ob- vious ways. Beyond social distanc- ing and closed doors, it is safe to say that the mental space within which artists and their art dwell were im- pacted as well. Art channels mental space into concrete forms; whether that be music, performances or buildings. The pandemic has unquestiona- bly therefore influenced art itself. When things go back to normal, will our village festas be the same, or will the impact show? Under- standing the fundamental impor- tance of our mental state to the creation of art, one takes note of the sense of growing dread and cli- mate anxiety. Malta's National Cultural Policy 2021 was released for public con- sultation this year. Developing a culture for climate action is one of its key objectives, and according to a Eurobarometer survey, Maltese are the most concerned in Europe about climate change, with 92% rating it a serious problem. Art has a strong positive role to play in mobilizing people. In recent decades, the idea of functionality is being given more importance, which makes economic sense in an evolving society. However, a certain level of artistic skill is be- ing irreplaceably lost. Masons, craftsmen and artisans are dying out, and even skills such as build- ing a proper rubble wall are lost. We live in a society where the majority are, to varying degrees, unhappy about over-development and the direction of so-called pro- gress, and what is replacing our traditional architecture and am- bience. This trend was present in the past year with great intensity, and 2022 promises to be no differ- ent. There is a lack of imagination of- fering new styles which synthesise old and new, and which communi- cate our history, culture and iden- tity. If we lose those, we lose the connection with our loved ones, our grandparents and those who nurtured us. We are severed from memories, prevented from pass- ing on legacies, and are deprived of the sense of love and wisdom which motivates us and gets us out of bed in the morning. The impact upon the world of culture and art is devastating. The soul of the nation is impoverished. Our environments may reflect a world of austerity and eco- nomic hardship, but they should not artistically aspire to it as the end-goal. Art is a reflection of our environment, and influences it in turn. We must not lose the mental and physical spaces which give rise to what makes Malta and Gozo unique. To do so would be to increasingly lock ourselves into a vicious cycle, whereby our abili- ty to be inspired by and contribute to our heritage and identity are diminished. In some generations, who will remember what made us unique, if it is only present in pho- tographs? In the new year may policymak- ers, communities and artists come together to work towards wellbe- ing, quality of life and the beauty which inspire both. A country's soul and aspirations weep art and culture loss Musician and solo artist