Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/812895
3 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2017 News MALTA INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS FESTIVAL 22nd, 28th and 30th April 2017 Saturday 22 nd April 2017 Gozo, Xagħra Pyro Musical Competition 21:30 TemexSon - Pyro Events Team, Romania 22:00 Makalu Fireworks, Czech Republic 22:30 Kamra tan-Nar 'Madonna Taċ-Ċintura' Gudja, Malta Friday 28 th April 2017 Marsaxlokk Pyro Musical Competition 21:30 Pyro Italy, Italy 22:00 Mirnovec Pirotehnika, Croatia 22:30 Kamra tan-Nar Santa Marija, Qrendi, Malta Sunday 30 th April 2017 Valletta, Grand Harbour GRAND FINALE 21:00 Presentation of Trophies 21:30 – 22:00 Pyroemotions of Italy in collaboration with St Mary Fireworks Factory Għaxaq, Malta For more information please visit www.maltafireworksfestival.com or contact us on fireworks@visitmalta.com Call us on +356 22915000 Sliema arts festival called off because of delay in funds STEFAN GALEA YANNICK PACE THE Sliema local council has announced that it shall not be holding this year's edition of the Sliema Arts Festival. The council said that due to conditions out of its control, the festival could not be planned for 2017 since the Cultural Fund for Local Government events and activities was issued very late in the day. "We had international inter- est from various artists, but as- surances could not be given due to the uncertainty of the event, which is why we had to take a decision in order to allow the artists in question to take book- ings for other events," the Sliema Mayor Anthony Chircop said. On Tuesday, the government launched the new Culture Fund, which will now require appli- cants to submit a three-year pro- posal. Parliamentary secretary Stefan Buontempo said that the change was intended to ensure more sustainability and long- term term thinking in the organ- isation of such cultural events. In comments to MaltaToday, Buontempo said that fund's new format was intended to remove uncertainty faced by organisers who he said needed to apply for funding every year, adding that situations similar to what had happened with the Sliema Arts Festival wanted to be avoided. According to the Parliamentary Secretary, the festival had been granted €11,000 out of a possible €15,000 last year, however this years application had been ac- cepted. The annual event used to cost roughly around €45,000 – €50,000, of which 30% of the sum would have been covered by the government fund, €10,000 from the council itself, and other expenses from sponsors and con- tributors. "Having been chasing the De- partment for Local Government since last November, the scheme for funding is to be issued this month, making it impossible to plan such a festival which usually needs a minimum of six months of preparations, including coor- dination with local and foreign artists," organisers for the festi- val said. "This is very unfortunate, given that the Sliema Arts Festival has established itself as a prominent and visible stage for local artists to exhibit their works and music. It is also very inappropriate on the part of the responsible fund- ing board to assume that such large scale events can be planned within a few weeks' time." The council said it remained committed to reorganize this event in the year 2018, should the funding conditions by the Department of Local Govern- ment be sent towards the end of the year, as was always the case over the past four years. Brace yourselves for vindictive PN attacks, Cardona warns Labour officials TIM DIACONO LABOUR'S deputy leader Chris Cardona has warned PL officials and delegates to brace themselves for a surge of "vindictive attacks" from the Nationalist Party in the upcoming election campaign. Addressing Labour's annual general conference, the economy minister confidently claimed that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat will go down in history for his social and economic successes, while his counterpart Simon Busuttil will only be remembered for his "lies and ridiculousness". "The election campaign wont be easy, because the Opposition is dangerous and vindictive and has its back to the wall," he said. "How- ever, it would be a grave mistake for us to get caught up in the PN's neg- ativity as that would mean that we are no longer reflecting the popular optimistic sentiment of people and businesses. "The public is more intelligent than those in charge of the PN and indeed it rejected the PNs style of politics four years ago." He urged Labour supporters to maintain a stance of humility and pledged that the party will continue working in the best interest of peo- ple on the lower strata of society. "Lies tend to get more media at- tention, but our work goes way be- yond headlines and its effects are being felt by many - including those people on the minimum wage, peo- ple who no longer find medicines out of stock, and families and busi- nesses who are no longer paying ex- pensive electricity bills." tdiacono@mediatoday.com.mt