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12 News maltatoday, TUESDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2013 Malta registers second-lowest level of cultural participation in Europe IN what is a generally pessimistic survey regarding the levels of cultural participation across the European continent, a Eurobarometer survey has revealed that Maltese cultural participation registers at a meagre 18% - just four percentage points above the first in line, Bulgaria. Although significant differences between member states emerge from the survey, the overall picture suggests that fewer Europeans are engaging in cultural activities – either as active participants or 'passive' observers. Malta also scored dismally on the public performance front, with 49% saying they didn't attend concerts due to a lack of interest, while 54% claimed they didn't go to the theatre for the same reason. Only 38% actively took part in a cultural activity, such as singing, dancing or photography, in the past year. In terms of 'passive' participation, the number describing their cultural engagement as high or very high is down to 18%, compared with 21% in 2007. The decline in participation has affected all cultural activities except cinema, with 52% saying they went to the movies in the past year (+1%). The highest levels of active participation are in Denmark (74% have participated actively in at least one cultural activity in the past year), Sweden (68%), Finland (63%) and the Netherlands (58%). The lowest levels of active participation are in Bulgaria (14%), Malta (18%), Italy (20%) and Hungary (21%). Only 12% of EU respondents were involved in photography or in making a film, compared with 27% in the previous survey, while 13% say they danced (19% last time) and 11% sang (15% in 2007). The main reasons cited for not engaging in culture are lack of time (44% give this reason for not reading a book), lack of interest (50% say this is why they have not seen Valletta – and by extension, Malta – is set to be European Capital for Culture in 2018 a ballet, dance performance or opera), lack of money (25% give this reason for not attending a concert), and lack of choice (10% on average). The survey showed that over half of Europeans use the internet for cultural purposes, with nearly a third doing so at least once a week. €110 million increase in tax revenues last year The largest rise was in direct taxes, an increase of €86.8 million TOTAL tax revenues in 2012 amounted to €2,304.2 million, an increase of €110 million over the previous year. This implied a tax burden of 33.7%, NSO said. The overall tax burden denotes the total amount of taxes and actual social contributions expressed as a percentage of GDP. Tax revenue includes indirect taxes, direct taxes and social security contributions. All three main categories of tax revenue registered a yearly increase. The largest rise was in direct taxes, an increase of €86.8 million. In the year under review, direct taxes made up 41.3% of total tax revenues, amounting to €951 million. The rise in direct taxes was mainly the result of additional revenues from corporate and personal income tax. Revenues from other taxes in this category also increased. Social contributions are compulsory actual contributions paid by the employees, employers, as well as self-employed and non-employed persons. This category represents 18% of total tax revenue, or €414.4 million, and translating into a €14 million increase over the preceding year. Indirect taxes, usually linked with production and imports, amounted to €939 million, making up almost 41% of total tax revenue in 2012. Higher returns from VAT, of €16.2 million, were partially offset by lower proceeds from other taxes on production and from taxes on products including excise duties. "Culture is a source of personal fulfilment, creativity and joy. I am concerned that fewer EU citizens are involved in cultural activities, as performers, producers or consumers. This survey shows that governments need to re-think how they support culture to stimulate public participation and culture's potential as an engine for jobs and growth. "The cultural and creative sectors also need to adapt to reach new audiences and explore new funding models. The Commission will continue to support cultural access and participation through our new Creative Europe programme and other EU funding sources," stated Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. The survey also showed that over half of Europeans use the internet for cultural purposes. The most popular uses are reading newspaper articles (53%), searching for cultural information (44%) and listening to the radio or music via the internet (42%). Respondents from northern countries are more likely to use the internet for cultural purposes than those from southern and centraleastern European countries. AD says Mistra project highlights Maltese political hypocrisy – AD ALTERNATTIVA Demokratika has condemned the development of 750 flats on the former Mistra Village site, describing it as an example that highlights Maltese political hypocrisy. "The Labour Party did not oppose it, and thus abandoned the residents to their fate: it is payback time now for the uncontrollable big developers. As for PN, the PN representative on the Malta Environment and Planning Authority board, Ryan Callus, proposed decreasing the extent of the project for traffic and aesthetic reasons, but of course the developers protested vehemently through their lawyer, who is none other than Dr Ann Fenech, PN President. This is real hypocritical political behavior," AD chairperson Arnold Cassola said. The Green Party underlined that the Mistra Village permit is the result of political parties favouring the construction industry. The new development replaces the low-rise Corinthia Mistra Village that was developed in the 1980s. In 2009, MEPA approved an outline permit for four boomerang blocks rising to 15 floors (992 units). The downscaling of the project to 750 units was deemed to improve views from Selmun and Mistra valley but is still expected to have a dramatic impact on the landscape. Din l-Art Helwa is objecting to the development, insisting that no permits should be issued before approval of the policy on high-rise buildings which is currently being drafted by MEPA. The draft policy bans any highrise development which lies on ridges. MEPA has replied that postponing the decision until the new policy is approved would be superfluous, as it will not and cannot have any bearing on the full development applications. YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt

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