Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/823773
28 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 MAY 2017 Opinion Eurovision, European Union: what's the difference? T here seems to be a f lutter of excitement among the pro- EU observers of Malta's ongoing election/corruption scandal brouhaha. I was alerted to it after (uncharacteristically) posting an ironic comment about Malta's precipitous exit from the Eurovision Song Contest last Thursday. 'Where is Azerbaijan when you need them?' I mused. [note: Grammar Nazis, go to hell. Poetic licence, and all that]. 'Why don't you write about Article 7', came one of the replies. At first I thought it was a reference to the Eurovision rules and regulations. Is there an Article 7 that could have made a difference to the result, I wondered? Now: it's not something I would normally get breathlessly excited about. Half of me was actually relieved that Malta failed to qualify. Our entry was pleasant enough. The lyrics were a cut above the usual meaningless f luff. It was well sung, too. But musically, to my ears, the composition just kept going round in circles. It was a chord progression starting in C sharp minor (unless I am much mistaken), and pretty much staying there throughout. But then, consider the acts that actually went through. I'll make no secret that I was rooting (as a second preference, naturally) for Macedonia. Those boots! I mean, come on. Even if the song were crap – which it wasn't – those boots alone should have stomped all the way to the final. But like many other worthy entries, Macedonia was bypassed in favour of: • A Yodelling duo from Romania, that almost inspired me to abandon a lifelong political conviction and start campaigning for the return of the death penalty • A Bulgarian wedding- cake impersonation, whose contribution to the Rock 'N Roll hall of fame went something like: 'Hey! Hey! Hey! Aye-aye- aye, Oh!' (repeat for three minutes) • A song from Australia, which... well... was from Australia. (Someone evidently needs to invest in a World Atlas at the 'Euro'-vision HQ. 'Nuff said.) • A sickly sweet folksy song called 'Hey, Mamma!' by the Moldovan version of the Blues Brother (only without any Blues) God, what I'd give to hear their Moldovan mothers' reply: 'Oy! Stop making all the noise! People are trying to sleep. And what the heck are you wearing, anyway? Straighten that tie. Make sure you don't slouch on stage. And be home by nine sharp! You'll be the death of me yet. Ah, that's when you'll care, when I'm dead and gone...' Hmm. There are some usable lyrics in there. OK, I'll get cracking on my winning Eurovision entry for 2018 right after this article. (working title: 'My Mamma from Moldova' - tune ripped off from 'My Woman from Tokyo' by Deep Purple] But in any case. Another year, another painful Eurovision humiliation, and yet another gradual realisation that... it's not about the music. It can't be: otherwise the good songs would have gone through, and not all the crap ones. Q.E.D. Obviously I already knew that, but what I didn't know was where 'Article 7' fits in. Well, turns out that it wasn't about Eurovision at all, but about that other pan-European institution that also rules all our lives. The European Union. Article 7 actually pertains to The Lisbon Treaty – Remember? The one that was rejected twice, but was eventually adopted after countries were made to hold repeated referendums until they got the result the EU wanted. Well, interestingly, it turns out that the EU reserves the right to take disciplinary action against member states which fail to uphold the 'values' on which the EU was supposedly built. The European Council may, in such cases, "decide to suspend certain of the rights deriving from the application of the Treaties to the Member State in question, including the voting rights of the representative of the government of that Member State in the Council." The argument, I then realised, was that Article 7 could be invoked against Malta on account of the Panama papers, the IIP kickbacks, etc. Now: it just happens that I have a habit of making connections between unrelated issues – even, I'll admit, to the point of forcing a connection where it doesn't really exist. Earlier, I said Article 7 was not about the Eurovision. But then... in a roundabout way... maybe it is. Let's substitute 'values' for 'music', and see what happens. The Eurovision is supposed to be built on respect for the fundamental aesthetic principles of music theory. Music theory is sufficiently vague to allow for all sorts of variations to arise from the same seven-note scale. On top of that, 'aesthetics' is a prisoner to that most subjective of human considerations: taste. Already you can see that the 'Constitution' of the Eurovision can be interpreted in as many ways as there are musical permutations. That is to say, an infinity of ways. We also know from our long history of Eurovision disillusionment that a host of other considerations invariably get caught up in the mix. There is corruption and bribery (hence my original question: funny how we never do well when there are no 'friendly countries' we are doing dirty deals with, huh?); there is also the issue of neighbour countries voting for each other; and so on. Ultimately, as already said: it's not about 'music': it's about politics, in both lower and upper case 'P' senses of the word. Now for the European Union's core values, which are helpfully enshrined in Article 2. This article is considerably shorter than Article 7. In fact, there is just one paragraph: "The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, CALL FOR FULL-TIME LITERACY RESOURCE LEADERS WITHIN THE NATIONAL LITERACY AGENCY Jobsplus: 242/2017 The National Literacy Agency, within the Ministry for Education and Employment, is seeking to recruit Literacy Resource Leaders to work within state schools. The eligibility criteria for this post a The eligibility criteria for this post are: • Applicants must, at the closing date of receipt of applications, have: a qualification in Maltese and/or English MQF level 6, or a recognised degree in Education (Early Years or Primary) at MQF Level 6 or equivalent. • At least 3 years proven relevant work experience in education, preferably as a teacher. Applicants must show that they have knowledge and experience in the area of literacy. •• The Nwar Training Programme Certificate or any other Continuous Professional Development equivalent certificate relavant to literacy education shall be given clear preference. • An ECDL certificate in Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database and presentation or a recognised appropriate comparable qualification. • A good command of the English and Maltese languages. Candidates Candidates should submit their letter of application, together with a summary of qualifications and experience in a European Curriculum Vitae Format, a copy of their relevant scanned certificates and a recent Police certificate of conduct, by email to john.b.farrugia@gov.mt or by post to Mr John Farrugia, Executive Secretary, National Curriculum Centre, Joseph Abela Scolaro Street, Hamrun, HMR 1304, by not later than 19th May 2017. Applications Applications by post should be sent by registered mail, allowing for sufficient time to ensure delivery by the above deadline. Applications will be acknowledged in writing within seven days. Late applications will not be considered. Further information may be obtained from Mr John Farrugia on 2598 2997 or via email at john.b.farrugia@gov.mt CALL FOR FULL-TIME READING ANIMATORS WITH THE NATIONAL LITERACY AGENCY Jobsplus: 244/2017 The National Literacy Agency, within the Ministry for Education and Employment, is seeking to recruit Reading Animators to work within the 'Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories' programme and reading programmes. (i) (i) Applicants must at the closing date of receipt of applications have ONE of the following: • At least two 'A' levels or equivalent, preferably in either Maltese and/or English or • BTEC National Diploma in Childcare MQF Level 4 or higher or • At least four years experience in the grade of Kindergarten Assistant (KGA or KGA1 or KGA2) or supply teacher in a primary school. PPreference will be given to candidates who have B.Ed (Early Childhood Education and Care) or equivalent. All applicants have to provide evidence that they: (a) are proficient in the Maltese and English Languages and (b) are of good moral character (applicants who are already in the Malta Public Service must produce a recent Service and Leave Record Form (GP 47 https://education.gov.mt/en/Documents/Vacancies/GP47.pdf). Those Those applying from outside the Public Service must produce a Certificate of Conduct issued by the Police or other competent authority not earlier than one. Due consideration will be given to applicants who, besides the requisites indicated above, are in possession of an Ordinary Level (O Level Grade A-C) and/or Secondary Education Certificate (SEC Grade 1-5), or higher, or a recognised comparable qualification, in Maltese, English Language and Mathematics. Candidates Candidates should submit their letter of application, together with a summary of qualifications and experience in a European Curriculum Vitae Format, a copy of their relevant scanned certificates and a recent Police certificate of conduct, by email to john.b.farrugia@gov.mt or by post to Mr John Farrugia, Executive Secretary, National Curriculum Centre, Joseph Abela Scalora Street, Hamrun HMR 1304 by not later than 19th May 2017 at noon. Applications Applications by post should be sent by registered mail, allowing sufficient, allowing sufficient time to ensure delivery by the above deadline. Applications will be acknowledged in writing within seven days. Further information may be obtained from John Farrugia on 2598 2997 or email at john.b.farrugia@gov.mt Raphael Vassallo Another year, another painful Eurovision humiliation, and yet another gradual realisation that... it's not about the music