Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535753
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 MAY 2025 4 ALMANAC My essentials TONI ATTARD 43, theatre director and producer I wear many hats and sometimes stack them all at once. I shift between directing theatre and producing creative projects at Udjenza, with the odd acting role thrown in. I also run Culture Venture, working internationally on cultural research, training, and consultancy. I'm passionate about culture and the arts sparking positive change. Creativity and collaboration keep me going. 1. Book 2. Film 3. Internet 4. Music 5. Place MY taste in music is eclec- tic and played in weird com- binations—classical at the gym, drum and bass at work, cheesy pop while driving, and reggaeton when cooking. Lately, I've been bouncing be- tween Eurovision hits, clas- sical pieces for our Midsum- mer Dream concert in Mdina, and wartime songs for a new Udjenza production. I love revisiting artists who mean a lot to me; this month it's Skunk Anansie and Stromae. Music connects me to memo- ries and the amazing people I share it with. MALTA'S beaches at sun- set are pure magic—nothing compares to the glow of the Mediterranean. I'm lucky to travel often for work, and each place I visit shapes my worldview in unexpected ways. New destinations are often invitations for solo ad- ventures, self-discovery, and a bit of risk. I find beauty in the uniqueness of every place I ex- plore. Right now, I'm especial- ly excited about my next solo journey—discovering parts of South Korea for the first time. I'M currently reading An- toloġija 1—the debut pub- lication from Aphroconfu- so, edited by Joe Gatt and Loranne Vella. It features 34 pieces by 24 Maltese authors, spanning a varie- ty of styles including short stories, poetry, and essays. I'm really enjoying the di- versity of both well-known and emerging voices and forms it offers. It's my ideal literary fix to fit in between other readings of plays, re- ports and work documents. I recently watched the Maltese film, Ciao Ciao and found it refreshingly entertaining. The chaotic energy, quirky char- acters, and sharp dialogue felt incredibly relatable, and there's serious talent behind it. More than just a good time, it was a reminder of why we need to keep telling our own sto- ries and why local filmmakers shouldn't have to struggle so hard for support. Maltese cre- ative voices matter. If we don't back them, who will? EVENING streaming is my way to switch off, but BBC News is how I start the day and stay con- nected to the world. Lately, the mix of heart-breaking stories from Gaza and the bizarre twists of Trumpian politics in the US has felt overwhelming. It's a dai- ly reminder of how messy and complicated the world really is. It's not the easiest way to start the morning, but it keeps me grounded in a global perspective and not indifferent to the urgen- cy of global action. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com 4 5 1 2 3 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta