Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543739
11 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 6 MARCH 2026 CULTURE Valletta's La Valette Band to stage sacred concert at Aurora Opera House in Gozo VALLETTA'S esteemed La Val- ette Band is set to perform a specially curated sacred concert titled Aurea Passio at the Aurora Opera House in Victoria on Sat- urday, 7 March 2026 at 8 p.m. Departing from its usual marching band repertoire, the ensemble will present a pro- gramme of sacred works and music of religious significance during the performance. The concert is part of a broade cultural initiative linked to a two-year programme celebrat- ing important milestones for the Aurora Opera House and opera in Gozo — specifically the venue's 50th anniversary in 2026 and the half-century of opera in Gozo in 2027. Conducted by principal con- ductor Dominic Darmanin, Aurea Passio will feature con- tributions from critically ac- claimed Italian conductor and composer Antonino Oddo, alongside local musician Colin Attard. Both Oddo and Attard are scheduled to conduct La Valette Band in their original compositions during the con- cert. Although civic bands tradi- tionally focus on secular music, sacred compositions have his- torically formed a significant part of their artistic output. La Valette Band, one of Malta's long-standing civic musical in- stitutions based in the capital Valletta, continues this tradi- tion through the forthcoming Gozo performance. The Aurora Opera House is owned and operated by the Le- one Band of Victoria, reinforc- ing cultural links between the musical institutions of Malta and Gozo. The concert is open to the public with details on tickets and attendance available from the venue. CLOSE to 500 schoolchildren tapped into their creativity to draw cautionary scenes about online safety as part of a na- tionwide art competition across Malta and Gozo schools, aimed at inspiring action and policy changes through visual story- telling. One drawing depicts a dark, hooded figure with glow- ing white eyes sitting ominous- ly behind a laptop, as a young child chats with a stranger. Another portrays a happy, wel- coming bedroom with the mes- sage, 'Your child's online world should be as safe as home'. The competition, which was open to students aged six to 14 from Church, State and in- dependent schools, sought to stimulate national dialogue around digital safety from the child's perspective, and encour- age children to think critically about their online experiences. It formed part of a series of in- itiatives organised by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society's Promoting Online Protection Project (P.O.P-UP) to mark Safer Internet Day in February. The initiative follows the launch earlier this month of the Foundation's nationally repre- sentative survey, which found that more than half of students interviewed (51 per cent) had received unwanted or inappro- priate online messages. The study also showed that while awareness of online abuse was high — 87.3 per cent of children had heard of the term — this had not translated into meaningful harm reduction or increased reporting Exhibited at Micas, Floriana, the children's artworks demon- strated a strong understanding of the dangers that lurked on- line. MFWS founder and chair Ma- rie-Louise Coleiro Preca said the children's artworks offered a powerful reflection of the is- sues at the heart of the Social Media Green Paper consulta- tion. "They move the discus- sion beyond policy language and show the real, lived impact social media has on young peo- ple's wellbeing, identity and sense of belonging. What reso- nated most was the honesty in their work; the clear tension be- tween connection and pressure, and a strong call for kindness and respect online. "The message to authorities is simple: young people's voic- es must be central to decisions about their digital lives. Any response must prioritise safe- ty, accountability and environ- ments that genuinely support children to thrive," Coleiro Pre- ca stressed. The art competition was an- nounced in late 2025, inviting children to express what online safety and protection meant to them. Submissions had to high- light aspects like safe internet use, cyberbullying, protecting personal information, healthy online friendships, and the por- trayal of both positive and neg- ative digital experiences. The children's submissions provide valuable insights that policymakers, educators, and parents can use to better under- stand and safeguard youngsters' digital experiences. The winners of the nationwide competition are: Primary: 1st: Ella Castillo, 6, St Joseph's School, Sliema, Grade 2A – No Title 2nd: Elise Mizzi, 7, St Thomas More Zejtun Primary A – Ti- tle: Your Child's Online World Should be as Safe as Home 3rd: Daniel Xuereb, 9, Arch- bishop Minor Seminary, Year 5 – Title: Stop, Think, and Go. Middle School: 1st: Yaryna Biliuga, 12, MVPA, Year 8 – No Title 2nd: Kyrone Zammit, 12, St Michael's School, Santa Venera, Year 8 – No Title 3rd: Kaya Curmi, 12, MVPA, Year 8 – Think Before You Click Secondary School: 1st: Giosiana Cardona, 14, Bishop's Conservatory Sec- ondary School, Form 4 - The Weight of a Message. 2nd: Aiden Mercieca, 13, Gozo College, Ninu Cremona Secondary School Rabat – No Title 3rd: Elena Curmi, 14, Girls Secondary, Bishop Conservato- ry Secondary School, Form 4 - The Mask Behind the Message. Students' drawings reveal growing awareness of digital dangers Submissions had to highlight aspects like safe internet use, cyberbullying, protecting personal information, healthy online friendships, and the portrayal of both positive and negative digital experiences