Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/994982
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 JUNE 2018 A music and poetry concert centred around the theme of migration is to take place on the UN World Refugee Day on Wednesday. Inspired by the 'Map of the Mediterranean' poem by Mal- tese poet Antoine Cassar, this concert of new songs, music and recited poetry will explore how migration and travel has, over the centuries, defined Mediterranean culture, its background, language, cuisine, music and lifestyle. Moved by Cassar's poem, Malta-based composer Luc Houtkamp and his POW En- semble have created new ex- perimental music about migra- tion, the Mediterranean Sea and the current refugee crises, for a show that echoes the cul- tural values of Valletta 2018 and coincides with World Ref- ugee Day. "Without migration, the Mediterranean would not be what it is now: a richly diverse amalgam of people with an ar- ray of cultural backgrounds and heritages," Houtkamp said. "Since the theme of migration is so relevant for today's world, we wanted to connect our event with UN World Refugee Day, 20th June, as a symbol to connect with migrants living in Malta." Founded in 2001 by Hout- kamp, the internationally-re- nowned POW Ensemble is a chamber ensemble for the 21st century. Using live electron- ics and computers as musical instruments, the ensemble bal- ances their work with diverse acoustic instruments and vo- cals, in a new approach to con- temporary electronic music. The POW Ensemble has be- come increasingly popular in Malta, with Maltese-themed work including a recent pro- ject based on the oldest Mal- tese written text, 'Il Kantilena'. After reading his 'Map of the Mediterranean' poem, Hout- kamp then sought to collabo- rate with Cassar for the next POW Ensemble piece on mi- gration. "Luc contacted me a year ago to tell me he was planning a series of songs on migration, from various historical and geographical angles. We agreed that 'Map of the Mediterrane- an' was the best fit for the piece, since it describes the shapes of the Mediterranean Sea from the four cardinal directions in relation to the history of its peoples, including ancient and contemporary migrations," Cassar said. "For the concert with the POW Ensemble, stan- zas in Maltese and English will form the backbone, stringing together the various songs they have composed." Houtkamp said that the theme of migration gives many points of departure for a musical event, such as the shared melodies, food, or even the names. "The more problematic as- pects of migration, such as the need for people to leave eve- rything and integrate into new communities, whilst a society must likewise adapt to the new influx of migrants, are also ex- plored by Antoine Cassar in his poem." The 'Map of the Mediterra- nean' concert will take place at Maori in Valletta between the Wednesday and Friday, and features Antoine Cassar recit- ing texts and narration, project leader and composer Luc Hout- kamp on electronics and wood- wind instruments, composer Guy Harries on flute, electron- ics and vocals, and Tom Armit- age on keyboards. CULTURE Valletta 2018's Exiled Homes: Stories from Filipino caretakers THE interactive visual arts exhibition Exiled Homes, Valletta 2018's anthropological and artistic project that explores and shares sto- ries of Filipino caretakers living and work- ing inside people's homes in Malta, opens its doors on Wednesday at 8pm at The Mill – Art Culture and Crafts Centre in Birkirkara. The exhibition showcases works by artist duo Aglaia Haritz and Abdelaziz Zerrou and 15 Filipino women. The Exiled Homes pro- ject was carried out in three phases. During the first phase, research was conducted by anthropologist Gisella Orsini, in the second phase artists Aglaia Haritz and Abdelaziz Zerrou led a series of artistic participatory workshops with the 15 caretakers. In the third phase, research and creations created throughout the course of this project will be presented in this exhibition. Exiled Homes will be open to the public until 13th July, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5pm to 7pm and on Satur- days from 4:30pm to 8:30pm. Migration-themed concert for World Refugee Day The 'Map of the Mediterranean' concert will focus on the theme of migration, with poetry by Antoine Cassar and new music by Luc Houtkamp and the POW Ensemble Emma Muscat to sing alongside Joseph Calleja and Eros Ramazzotti HOMEGROWN Amici Star, Emma Muscat, will be taking part in this year's Joseph Calle- ja & Eros Ramazzotti concert on the 21 of July. The 18-year-old, famed from Italy's longest running-televi- sion talent show 'Amici di Ma- ria de Filippi' has performed with famous Italian and inter- national artists such as Gianni Morandi, Laura Pausini, Al Bano, Rita Pavone, Elisa, Arisa, Annalisa, Alice Merton Fedez and Alvaro Soler. Despite her elimination, the Amici semi-finalist has walked away with a Warner Music record contract in her back pocket before returning to Malta last Friday and receiving a warm welcome from fans. Keith Kiko Muscat, her Man- ager, said 'It's an inspiration to see Emma's level of passion at such a young age, giving her heart and soul in all stages of songwriting and production resulting in a musical form of art that breathes excellence' This year, world-leading ten- or Joseph Calleja will be joined by Italian star Eros Ramazotti, Platinum artist behind 'Cose Della Vita', 'Quanto Amore Sei' and 'Parla con me'. Tickets for the show are available from www.showshappening.com