Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537913
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 JULY 2025 CULTURE Teatru Salesjan to host Malta's first ever Tolkien-themed festival THIS three-day gathering of- fers a quiet and welcoming at- mosphere for fans of the author and the wider world of fantasy. With events spanning reading, gaming, children's activities, and evening gatherings, the festival provides space for re- f lection, creativity, and com- munity. Highlights include a silent reading club, a tabletop games day, and a special quiz night for Tolkien enthusiasts. Children and families are welcome at the "Little Hobbits' Hour," while adults can enjoy themed cock- tails and open mic storytelling in a relaxed setting. The fes- tival closes with a community BBQ- "A Long Expected Party" – open to all. The festival aims to bring together people who appreci- ate Tolkien's world, in all its forms, from quiet readers to lively quiz-goers. Events are free or low-cost, and all ages and levels of famil- iarity are welcome. 80th VE Day Anniversary Commemoration Concert BE part of the 80th Anniver- sary of VE Day with two pow- erful open-air concerts by the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta and the Malta Police Force Band performing patri- otic favourites and wartime classics in honour of this his- toric milestone. The concerts will take place on the Grand Harbour Ter- race, offering breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour — the perfect backdrop for an evening of remembrance and live music. • 1 August – Concert by the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta • 2 August – Concert by the Malta Police Force Band Both concerts take place at 20:30 on the Grand Harbour Terrace, with stunning views over the Grand Harbour — a truly memorable setting for an evening of live music and re- membrance. The concert ticket also in- cludes access to the VE Day ex- hibition, as well as the chance to experience military re-en- actments by various historical groups throughout the week- end. Secure your tickets now for an unforgettable experience. For more information go to: h t t p s : / / w w w . s h o w s h a p p e n - ing.com Culture, Power and Education: Representation, Interpretation, Contestation by Prof. Peter Mayo PROF. Peter Mayo, a leading scholar at the Department of Arts, Open Communities and Adult Education within the Uni- versity of Malta's Faculty of Edu- cation, has presented a copy of his latest book to the University Rec- tor, Prof. Alfred J. Vella. As previously announced on Newspoint, the publication, titled Culture, Power and Education – Representation, Interpretation, Contestation, was released in December 2024. The book repre- sents another significant contri- bution by Prof. Mayo to the field of critical education and cultural studies. Building on the foundational ideas of Antonio Gramsci, Prof. Mayo delves into the concept of hegemony and further devel- ops it through the revolutionary pedagogical lens of Paulo Freire. Drawing also on his own academ- ic journey and ongoing search for heterotopian alternatives, Mayo presents compelling insights into the transformative potential of ed- ucation. This latest work navigates through the complex intersec- tions of culture, power, and resist- ance. It explores how both pop- ular and elite cultures are deeply embedded within broader social structures and power dynamics. Through richly contextualized case studies, the book reveals how culture operates as a site of con- testation and negotiation—high- lighting the interplay between representation, politics, and edu- cational practice across different historical and geographical con- texts. Based primarily on Prof. Mayo's second PhD in Estudios Artísti- cos, Literarios y Cultura, the book is already being translated and published in Spanish, reflecting its international relevance and ap- peal. The book came out in Catalan and Turkish translation versions and renowned Sociologist Bob Jessop wrote this endorsement of the book: "In this well theorised and historically contextualised book, Peter Mayo explores the leading figures in critical educa- tion studies and shows how pop- ular and elite culture are thor- oughly embedded in wider social relations. His case studies reveal (Left to right) Prof. Peter Mayo and Prof. Alfred J. Vella