Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/234240
25 maltatoday, FILM FRENZY pg 30-31 SUNDAY, 29 DECEMBER 2013 FANTASTIC FRANKFURT pg 34 RESTO ROUNDUP pgs 32-33 d bounty: 2013 in culture The Robert Glasper Experiment was among the international line-up at this year's edition of the Malta Jazz Festival Parliamentary Secretary for Culture and Local Government Jose Herrera run its programme of events. This could be a positive step forward for the institution, as it would mean that its activity would be more clearly delegated. But any real political change on the cultural front appears to be benign at most, at least if the rhetoric is to be believed. Jose Herrera was keen to emphasise that government's role in culture should be apolitical and 'hands off', facilitating a managerial structure but then allowing artists to do their necessary work. Interestingly, whereas the Nation- alist government tended to 'justify' culture as a bona fide aspect of Maltese life largely on economic terms – invoking entities like the still-active Creative Economy Working Group – Herrera spoke of our need for culture as arising from more universal concerns: namely, "the pursuit of happiness". In fact many staple annual events continued unabated despite the change in government. A new one joined their ranks too: the dynamic and successful Valletta International Baroque Festival, which will be repeated in mid-January next year. But the Malta Arts Festival, The Malta Jazz Festival, Ghanafest, Isle of MTV and Notte Bianca went on ahead. Notte Bianca, however, took over Valletta's streets 'under new management'. First-time artistic director Sean Buhagiar – also a co-founder Cirku Malta, an animal-free circus which debuted in the summer – gave the Notte Bianca programme a more contemporary, 'youthful' twist. But Notte Bianca – taking place during the last week of September – was not the only noteworthy event mass-entertainment event of the season. The firstever 'Malta Summer Carnival' took place in the streets of Qawra and Bugibba. Criticised by some as being an excessive display of 'bread and circuses' culture, the generously-attended event sought to give summer tourists a taste of Malta's traditional February carnival. Fans of local pop music had plenty of reason to celebrate this year, what with sympathetic and ever-smiling pop singer Gianluca Bezzina taking Malta to 8th place at the Eurovision song contest, and Gaia Cauchi actually winning Malta the Junior Eurovision Song Contest – an accomplishment sadly overshadowed by the fact that the young singer was also bestowed a Gieh ir-Repubblika medal, to some pretty vocal controversy. But one controversy from the world of local music made headlines across the board: namely, folk-pop act Brikkuni's decision to postpone their summer concert at Pjazza Teatru Rjal – the ever-controversial 'open air theatre' at the former Op- The Christmas Edition of Patches Market Peter Andre (centre) visits Mater Dei Hospital, accompanied by then health minister Joe Cassar and his girlfriend Emily MacDonagh. Photo: Martin Attard/DOI era House Ruins in Valletta. It is perhaps heartening that the story had a happy ending: the original concern – made loud and clear by Brikkuni's front man Mario Vella – was that the rental fee of €2,000 was too high, and the band were able to negotiate to lower the price and perform their concert at a rescheduled date. Perhaps similarly, a decision not to move the Museum of Fine Arts from Admiralty House in South Street, Valletta to the more central location of the nearby Auberge d'Italie in Merchants Street (which currently houses the Tourism Ministry and Authority) was quickly reversed after it led to a public outcry, and the threat of protest by local artists. Both these decisions perhaps sound a positive note, but time will tell whether government will be consistent in its patronage of culture. Regardless, what this year has proven once and for all that, as far as creativity on the island is concerned, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Thanks to the internet (and possibly the fact that it's far easier to travel nowadays), the younger generation is fully in tune with international trends and movements in the field of culture and entertainment, and is in a position to be inspired by and exploit it at will. The emergence of regular standup comedy nights is evidence of this, as well as other 'independent' but successful events such as the annual Malta Comic Con, which boasted high-caliber international events and record attendance this year, and Patches Market – the seasonal artisan fair. Coupled with Dazzle Troupe's Burlesque shows and regular Electro-Swing parties (both of which provide alternative entertainment for those who have outgrown the Paceville scene), along with a number of other 'off radar' events at venues like Msida's Coach and Horses, Madliena Cottage and the recentlyopened Django Jazz Bar in Valletta, it's proof that despite what goes on at government level, Malta's cultural activity appears to be increasing.