Wheelchair users, the sight-impaired and people needing aids to get about find most places extremely difficult to access in Malta.  As one of the Breaking Limits activists featured in this very telling film said:  ”It’s not easy to access Valletta when you can’t even get there in the first place”.  Hopping on a bus, for example, requires pre-planning to the nth degree if you’re a wheelchair user.  But who’d have thought that something as routine as getting cash out of an ATM would need as much determination! It may do if you’re in a wheelchair.

The film was shot last Saturday and editing was finished just the day before the V.18 event. It follows the group trying to access fairly bog standard areas of our capital – with difficulty. We can hardly talk of a Valletta as a European Capital of Culture, if we don’t have culture accessible to all.  Most of the group in this film was unable to get into St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity. for example, thanks to the ongoing building works. The film is food for thought, but it shouldn’t, and can’t be left to be that alone.

Groups such as Breaking Limits are often sounded out by the powers that be, but, as this group knows from experience, there is far less walk than talk in addressing issues of accessibility in Malta.  In fact, there should be far less talk of disability issues and far more talk of accessibility.  Semantic shifts are all well and good, but few of us really understand the issues of accessibility in practice. Spend just a day with a someone with a disabled person going about their life in Malta, and please watch this film; it has personal relevance to us as we have disabled family members and relatives hands-on working actively in the field of disability issues.  The next years to V.18 will hopefully see greater action on accessibility.

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I am beginning to chart my life with this event.  My son, although getting older now, still loves the whole idea of it. A chance to see reenactments, guns let off, taste some traditional seafaring food (him, not me!), and to have hands-on time with replica (and some real) weapons and canon balls guided safely by the knowledgeable museum staff and reenactment troupes. We went to Fort Rinella two weeks ago to see the Armstrong 100-ton gun in its annual firing. This year’s ‘Life at Sea’ event for the first time has reenactment troupes clashing in ‘battle’ demonstrating the rough life at the quay side in Birgu in the 16th century.

The day is also a chance to remind ourselves of this gem of a museum which, over many ‘decks’, has an impressive and eclectic array of all things maritime. The mock-up of a NAAFI bar down by the docks and the intricate model boats showing maritime craft from Phoenician times onwards always delight. The day is a good excuse to get down to Birgu, itself a treat, and sniff some sea air close up if you haven’t yet made a first trip to the beach this spring.

Be warned, this is a popular calendar event now and sees the crowds but be patient, and you’ll all get a chance to handle the exhibits and see the reenactments.

More Info

The museum is open between 09.00hrs and 17.00hrs. Admission is free. Refreshments on hand, including no doubt as last year, some recipes inspired by seafaring meals of yesteryear. No satchel, though!

Full information, on the Heritage Malta blog.

But, that’s not how Alan and a group of close friends and colleagues are spending this summer.  Alan, together with Chiara Hyzler, has set up an NGO - ’Drama Outreach Project‘, or ‘DO’ – which seeks to bring a unique developmental programme using drama and music to teach English and self development to children in underprivileged communities. This summer, the NGO’s first live project sees Alan and a group of eight head to Phnom Penh to run the programme in an orphanage and a drop-in day centre for street children. It’s pioneering work and yet he is determined to make a difference beyond Malta with the skills he and the team have developed here.

We caught up with Alan at home a couple of weeks ago to find out how the project came to be, why Cambodia, and why now. Here’s what Alan told us…

“I turned 50 a year or so back and it was a sort of turning point also in what I wanted to focus on in life, and where my new ambitions lie.  Gaby [Alan's wife] and I have always wanted to go overseas and volunteer in a meaningful way. ‘Voluntourism’ is now a word that’s entered people’s vocab, and it best describes our DO Cambodia project.

“The actual work on the ground will be a version of our Fun Factory summer schools here in Malta. We’ll be working with the children to create props and then use them in drama, so they ease themselves into this rather unfamiliar environment in a very hands-on way and get to know us as they do so.

DO Cambodia team

“Cambodia may seem a distant choice as our first DO Project; it’s not a country that’s been focused on by any Malta-based charity or NGO as far as we know. I have always wanted to learn more about this part of Asia; a region that was in the news as I grew up, but felt outside our sphere of knowledge all the same. The aftermath of the Pol Pot regime has a very long reach; in those years of atrocity under his rule, an entire educated generation was all but wiped out so you have a country still affected by the repercussions of the genocide, yet one with energy and a thirst to be part of an international community.

“The children we are going to be working are in two centres; one an orphanage; the other a day centre run by an NGO which takes in children who may have parents but who are sent out to work on the streets. These children find comfort, food, shelter and friends and some education at this centre – ‘Le Restaurant des Enfants‘ – which acts as second home for them, providing them with some stability and safe haven as it were.  Its Facebook page gives you the background on how it operates.

“Of course, it will be unknown territory for us. Until we arrive, we won’t know exactly what we’ll face and we’ll need to be very adaptable and go with the flow. These are children who won’t have much English, if any, but who probably come across English-speaking tourists on the streets. We hope to get them to develop self-confidence through drama and learn a little more English on the way; skills that will help their daily survival now and hopefully inspire them to continue their education, as best they can.

Crafts session at Le Restaurant des Enfants, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Our key aim is to ensure a legacy and develop a structure on the ground to ensure the DO project summer ’13 is carried on locally. Helen O’Grady does operate across the world and has looked closely at our work in Malta developing English skills through drama, which is something it’s keen to develop.  But, the Drama Outreach Project is very much a product of our work in Malta and our personal aims as a group to do voluntary work overseas.

“Our fundraiser at the end of May is key to getting the  project realised. We’ve done the homework, and are well prepared but now need to fund the trip. The event will be a fun evening, nothing formal (you know me!), and a good laugh for a good cause. We really hope people will join us on the night, but if not, we’re hoping others will contribute by making a donation online. If all goes well this year, summer 2014 will see us extending DO to another country, perhaps sub-Saharan Africa. So please do help with any amount you can spare.  We’ll be documenting our project with daily updates on our blog, so anyone donating can see exactly how the money is spent and what the outcomes of the project are.”

How to Help & More Info

DO Cambodia is holding a fundraising event at the Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian’s, on (31 May. Euro 25 a head gives you a fun, informal evening out, a great buffet and the chance to see Alan in his element in drag as ‘Defsa’ (say no more!).

See DO Cambodia’s Facebook page for further details of the project.

For tickets, please send an email to: dramaoutreachproject@gmail.com

If you’d like to make a donation, this may be done electronically at HSBC 006214779001

Our partners in Cambodia
Le Restaurant des Enfants
DO Cambodia’s other partner on the ground is: VCDO

So began maltain360.com. Today, the site features over two hundred 360 degree panoramic images of historical, scenic or otherwise interesting locations from across the Maltese archipelago. Maltain360 has proved immensely popular and its success has been recognised more officially too with the site having scooped the Most Promising Innovation Award in the Malta Innovation Awards 2012.

Among the most popular of the 360 images on the maltain360 site are those of the Cottonera Lines, Għar il-Kbir, Lascaris War Rooms, the War Hospital Shelters under the Police Headquarters, the Medieval Chapel at Ħal-Millieri. However, in this article, Pierre and George are sharing a few of their particular favourites.

Fort Manoel

Situated on Manoel Island in Marsamxett harbour, construction on Fort Manoel started in 1723 after it was rightly pointed out that the almost brand new city of Valletta could suffer heavy damage from an undefended island flanking it. The fort was intended to act as an outpost for Valletta while covering the city’s western flank. Fort Manoel is one of Pierre’s favourite 360 degree images as the seaward entrance shows the awe inspiring western side of Valletta to great advantage. The fort was also military engineer François de Mondion’s magnum opus and he had expressed his desire to be buried in the Chapel of St Anthony of Padua located in this same fort. He died of a heart attack on Christmas Day 1733, however his tombstone was sadly lost through the ages.

Summer Solstice at Mnajdra Temples

The 360 degree image of the Summer Solstice at Mnajdra Temples is one of George’s favourite images for the simple reason that so very few people ever have the opportunity to enjoy the momentous twice yearly occasion. The solstice at Mnajdra demonstrates the advantage of having such happenings digitized and available all year round on a website for all to see and this thought motivates always George. While it is it is not known for certain whether the Mnajdra temple’s orientations with the solstices and equinox were intentional, they are so precise that it is very probable, also as in prehistoric agricultural societies the observation of the motion of the stars, the moon and sun could have been related to the changing seasons and times of planting and harvesting crops.

Mġarr ix-Xini Tower in Gozo

The Mġarr ix-Xini bay in Ta’ Sannat, Gozo can be found on the island’s south-west shoreline. The Mġarr ix-Xini Tower is the largest of the handful of coastal watch-towers erected by the Knights of St John on the island of Gozo which it is to be noted was much less fortified than Malta. Built in 1661, one year after Grandmaster De Redin’s death, the tower has no inscriptions as to who erected it, however, similarities in its design to other towers in Malta, as well as the fact that it was De Redin who built a network of 13 towers on the larger network all point towards the same Grand Master as the hand behind the Mġarr Ix-Xini Tower. The Mġarr ix-Xini Tower was jointly restored during the year 2000 by the Ministry for Gozo and Wirt Għawdex.

It is one of Pierre and George’s favourite images not just because of how heavily set in stone the tower is, but also because of the supremely panoramic vantage point it enjoys, as demonstrated by the picture below, snapped from the 360 degree panorama from the tower’s roof.

George and Pierre are out there constantly collecting more 360 degree images of these fascinating Islands. Check back on their site for more panoramas and stay updated with the latest news from Maltain360 on their Facebook page.

Now though, Burlesque is back in Valletta for real with the 9th edition of what promises to be another sell-out show by the talented team of Dazzle Troupe. Its chosen and apt venue for next weekend’s shows (26-28 April) - the British Legion Bar (Melita Street) – recalls Valletta’s colonial past.

The troupe comprises some of Malta most ‘insider-known’ writers and performers who are tackling this time a show based on the Blitz. The team says its acts ‘transform one of the most terrible periods of human history into an evening of rollicking fun…presenting World War II like [we've] never seen it before!’ It’s a show for ‘battle-weary (not to mention horny) soldiers, pulling out their customary smattering of bawdy music, eccentric comedy sketches and dance to ensure that they keep their rowdy crowd happy with a show that’s by turns raunchy… and raunchier’.

As this sounded intriguing, we asked one of the main protagonists of Dazzle Troupe, Nicole Cuschieri, to give us a few insights into why they revived Burlesque…and not just in its 1950s’ infamous form!

“The troupe formed in 2008 with the idea to create a risque’ yet artistic variety show in which different types of performers collaborate and create funny, daring and absurd sketches. We do sometimes reference Valletta and its sleazy past, especially in this show which has a WW2 theme. After the first show which turned out to be so well received, we decided to keep going and they have flourished over the past four years and are as much fun as ever!

“These shows are inspired from the first roots of Burlesque, during Music Hall and Vaudeville times.. We sometimes then delve into the 1950s’ Burlesque mainly in terms of costume and the occasional stripper! However, the formula of this show goes back to Victorian times, though these shows are not reenactments and have now evolved into something unique with a definite Maltese flavour.

“The British Legion Bar is a perfect location for this show due to its past and history and its truly vintage atmosphere. The owner is a lovely man too and I think its my favorite location yet.

“How we work? I come up with a theme and then approach the die-hard, regular members of the troupe and bounce ideas around with them to come up with a sketch. With each show I work a little differently to keep perfecting the working practice. Once the ideas are set, the artists go off and create their scripts/songs/choreography. Then we meet for rehearsals and develop the ideas. We have become very close over the years and the performers are always working with different members for each show to keep it from becoming stale. The cast has grown and grown; we started our first show with eight performers and now have 22 in the latest show!

“The most challenging part of the show is presenting good quality sketches. As the work is all original, you are not relying of ready made well known scripts that you are confident about. So it makes the process a little scarier. However, the troupe members are all so talented that I believe in them 100% and so far, we’ve received an abundance of positive feedback from audiences.

“About the upcoming show? Well, travel back in time once again and enjoy the Troupe’s ninth show: if it’s your first, you’ll finally discover what all the fuss is about and if you’re a returning customer, rest assured that this will be, we hope, our best show yet!

“Also, we will be throwing a party after each show night with Alex, Mike and Tom playing vintage style electro swing!”

Performers and writers include: Alex Vella Gregory, Alex Spiteri Gingell, Joseph Zammit, Marilu Vella, Vee Stivala, Marie Claire Camilleri, Marie Claire Pellegrini, Teodor Reljic, Pete Farrugia, Katherine Brown, Becky d’Ugo, Joe Depasquale, Whats their names theatre, Karly Cole, Matt Bonanno, David Chircop, Miriam Calleja, Tigerbilly Vella, Leona Gold and the amazing Brigit Gauchi Borda dancers!

The Shows – info & tickets

The shows start at 9pm sharp. The British Legion Bar, Melita Street, Valletta. Tickets are at €12. Doors open at any time, with food and drink served.
Seats are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!
Bookings online at creativeisland.com.mt.

The show is supported by the Malta Arts Fund

For a bit more info on Strait Street’s past, see this post.

Kestrel in Malta: sitting target? No, it's already been a target.

We ran this article a couple of years ago, and it’s deja vue to read it again. Each year, the spring hunting season opens just as migratory birds make their pilgrimage northwards (which is what their flight is akin to, given the hardship en route if they fly over or land in Malta).

Each year, BirdLife Malta sets up a monitoring camp to watch their progress and report on any infringements of the EU’s Bird Directive. Sadly, each year, some hunters do flout the law, and protected, rare even, migratory birds that are the common heritage of all, are shot down in Malta. The Times of Malta has news today of the latest atrocity – the injuring of one of Europe’s most endangered birds of prey, the Pallid Harrier. Of course, the infringements are by a few hunters set on tarring the whole hunting community with the same brush. But, for all the cases BirdLife happens to come across, there will be more, unseen infringements. When bird numbers are so few, as in the case of the Pallid Harrier, just a couple fewer of these beautiful, rare birds makes a huge difference to the sustainability of their population.

We’re running our article again, below, as the sentiments still stand; and the photo says it all.

Spring as we know it

I’ve been waking up early since the lighter, spring mornings. But apart from a few sparrows chirping in the olive tree below and the church bells ringing mass, it’s a quiet start to the day at 6am. But for how much longer?

Something is missing from spring – that other traditional Maltese wake up call, gun shot. Hunters lead shot isn’t yet peppering the spring dawn in my area. The question of whether it will or not this year is in limbo. MPs, NGOs both local and international, pro- and anti-bird hunting lobbies and the mass of regular citizens caught somewhere in the middle, wait to see if government will declare for or against opening a spring hunting season at all this year. If it does, the season will be mercifully short for birds, as spring is already ebbing away and according to some hunters the best pickings have already flown past.

Malta has to abide by the EU’s Birds’ Directive which expressly forbids spring hunting and trapping. But Malta has exercised its right of derogation – which is supposed to operate under very narrowly-defined clauses – to allow spring hunting since its EU membership in 2004; except in one year, 2008, following a European Court of Justice ruling which said Malta had broken the terms of the derogation by allowing quail and turtle dove hunting in spring.

If some 122,000 people, mostly from across Europe, had their way, Malta won’t have spring hunting at all with or without nice, legally-worded derogations being evoked. This was the number of people who signed a petition against Malta’s spring hunting that was handed in to the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday. The number of people handing it in was around 10, a group mostly made up of BirdLife Malta members.

In fact, the whole pro- or anti-bird hunting lobby issue is a numbers’ game: how many locals does BirdLife Malta speak for really? How many Maltese are anti-hunting but won’t stand up and be counted? How many hunters’ votes swing our various election results? How many protected birds are shot down illegally and during close seasons? How many hunters shooting birds illegally slur the name of the (legally operating) hunting fraternity…and so on.

The end sum of course isn’t really about numbers or how long the spring hunting season should or shouldn’t be. The real issue is illegal hunting – and its spring hunting season is well under way while hot air gets traded everywhere from Brussels to Malta.

On a wing and a prayer - it survived.

That one might live to see flight (in both senses) and another day. But let’s hope it doesn’t pass over Malta next time as it migrates. And I hope I don’t start hearing gun shot at 6am.

Photos: courtesy of Sean Mallia (great shots Sean, many thanks for sharing!).

Maltese Internet specialist Jean Galea recently returned from a four-month spell as a digital nomad travelling in Asia, primarily in Thailand. He talks to us about how the lifestyle enabled him to live out his dreams. Jean feels that not only should more Maltese try out a digital nomadic lifestyle, but also that Malta can be a place where digital nomads come to fulfill some of their own ambitions. He sees a mentality shift as key to inspiring both ends of the digital nomad spectrum. We intend our interview with Jean to spark discussion about the viability of Malta as a viable digital nomad destination, providing a new type of visitor stay on the islands and the chance for greater interaction among local and overseas digital cultures and creatives.

Digital nomads have tended to avoid Europe for obvious reasons – developed tourism industries, cost, lack of opportunities to live a different way of life, less exciting destinations, and so on. Malta may be easy to move to and live in – English speaking, relatively good value etc – but on paper it seems not to check boxes on the digital nomad’s wishlist. Why do you feel it could fit the bill as an ideal digital nomad location?

In my opinion Malta may be the best place for a digital nomad in Europe, although it remains relatively unknown especially among non-European nomads. Most digital nomads look for a new cultural immersion, affordable cost of living, a beautiful location and excellent climate. I believe Malta can deliver on all counts. The only thing that Malta misses is of course a digital nomad community and a different mentality when it comes to jobs and careers. But then that’s the reason why I’m talking about Malta in the first place, in order to change this status quo.

Would it be fair to say that your interest in promoting Malta as a suitable digital nomad destination is tinged perhaps by a sense of nostalgia for homeland after a good few months on the road as a nomad yourself? What motivates you to promote Malta among the nomadic ‘tribes’ out there?

Jean Galea, enjoying digital nomad days in Thailand

I have always disliked the pigeon-holing of our education, which also comes from most parents’ mentalities unfortunately. From a young age, our youngsters are pushed and pushed to perform well at exams, and are then expected to secure a ‘good job’ as soon as they graduate (or sometimes even earlier) and ‘live happily ever after’.

Don’t get me wrong, I very much value education and spent a good five years at University in Malta and UK. What I want to challenge is the mentality and one-dimensional approach to education and life in general. Being a digital nomad is definitely not for everyone, but I want to make sure that those who have it in them to do such a thing are not restrained and have their ‘course corrected’ until they end up unhappy on the career ladder.

The digital nomad lifestyle is one that can be lived perpetually or just for a year or two. What’s more, you can do it at any point in life. I’ve met digital nomads who are 20 years old and others who are in their 50s and 60s, and of course all the ages in between. That’s the great thing about being a digital nomad, it’s a flexible lifestyle and it gives you a lot of freedom.

You’ve recently set up a Facebook Group – Malta Digital Nomads – to act as a hub for those interested in experiencing ‘nomadism’ on the islands or in promoting it. How do you see the group/initiative developing? What, if any, infrastructure would you need here and what entities would you perhaps need to galvanise into action to enable this new niche of ‘tourism’ to get going here?

I am not so inclined to look for official support for digital nomads but rather I want to foster the development of such a mentality on a personal level with other people. That is why I set up the Facebook group. I would like the group to act as a source of information for digital nomads coming to Malta, a means of communication and organisation for those who are already in Malta, and a place where Maltese people who entertain the idea to find support and information from others who have lived/are living the digital nomad lifestyle.

On the other hand, having more and more cafes providing good internet access would definitely help us digital nomads. My mind boggles as to why, in 2013, it is so hard to find a cafe with free Wi-fi access in Malta. And I’m not talking about intermittent connections and 1 megabit speeds. Very close to where I lived in Chiang Mai, in Thailand, I came across what could be more aptly described as a haphazardly-built shack than a cafe; but take note of this, they provided 24 megabit free Wi-fi access. That’s just one example. You’d be hard pressed to find a cafe in Thailand’s digital nomad hubs which doesn’t have free Wi-fi of that ilk. And, of course, digital nomads appreciate that and gravitate to these centres.

Would putting Malta on the map as a digital nomad destination be good for the country? A sweeping statement, I know, but perhaps there would be spin-offs in terms of ie. internationalising our local digital culture as people rub shoulders, sparking innovation among Maltese young people, or giving the country a different edge in certain online circles?

I think the Maltese are very interested in mingling and exchanging ideas with people coming from other countries. I definitely see a growth in the presence of digital nomads being positive for the country. One must remember that many digital nomads tend to be very interesting, well-traveled people who have loads of experiences to share. From my own experience, you can learn a lot and widen your horizons by having discussions with other digital nomads.

Further info

To connect with fellow digital nomads in Malta, visit the Malta Digital Nomads Facebook group. You can read more about the digital nomad lifestyle and also contact Jean on his blog, Fit for Blogging.

Photo: courtesy of Leslie Vella.

How did the idea of the Malta Artisan Fairs come about?
Several years ago I saw that there was a gap in the Maltese market for an authentic market where locals and tourists could find artisan products including arts, crafts and foods in an interesting historic setting. I felt that this would be good not only from a local perspective but also for tourists who may wish to experience local culture and gastronomy. I started to research markets overseas and then created a market concept specific to Malta. I knew I had to showcase some of the best fare in some of our best locations!

The idea is to create a social hub where you can meet up in a family-friendly context and where you can make a day of it – browsing and purchasing beautiful local arts and crafts while tasting local artisan foods at the market. It’s also a great place where kids can get some first-hand experience on the art of making.

Why is it important to have such a place for budding and established Maltese artists/makers?
Markets provide an excellent platform for budding artists and artisan-entrepreneurs to test the market and sell their products with very few overheads while allowing them to research their product and glean immediate, face-to-face feedback from market-goers.

How has the Malta Artisan Fairs initiative grown?
It has grown considerably since we started two years ago. We now feature around 60 stalls each market and the demand from stallholders and public interest keeps growing. The feedback from stallholders is extremely enthusiastic and shoppers are keen to attend our markets knowing they will enjoy a good day out and get some different gifts and items from those on the high street.

How do you see the Fairs developing?
Presently, local legislation does not allow people to set up markets in Malta on a regular basis and the Ministry is aware that this legislation needs amendments and hopefully this will be addressed very soon. In the meantime, we are a market on tour of Malta’s beautiful locations. Ultimately, I would like to see a regular market in one or two venues that you know that you can just turn up at any weekend and buy local products while meeting up with friends and family.

Next Fair…

The next Malta Artisan Fair will be held at the Phoenicia Ballroom, Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana (outskirts of Valletta, nr. bus rotunda) on the 6th and 7th April, 2013. There will be other fairs this year held in June, July, September, November and December in various locations.

If you are an upcoming artist, are looking for an ‘outlet’ for your expression or know of others who would like a place to showcase their talent, we would like to hear from you. You can email us on: manager@maltaartisanmarkets.com. For more information refer to maltaartisanmarkets.com or keep posted through Facebook.

This was Valletta’s renowned event which saw streets closed as hundreds of participants filed to Our Lady of Sorrows church in the city. If you missed these street processions or are flying into Malta only now for your Easter holiday, these photos give you a good idea of the religious mood. The photos depicted here are sombre and will be echoed tomorrow in many of the Good Friday events (see our Guide to Holy Week) and in personal celebrations of Easter as people make a type of pilgrimage visiting seven churches.

About the photographer
Imsouchivy Suos (G.V.) is a street photographer originally from Phnom Penh, Cambodia who recently moved to Malta as a transferred student from USA. This makes the sequence all the more fascinating as we see a well-known Maltese event captured by the lens of an outsider looking in on this timeless scene. To find out more about him and his work click here.