A new broom

What are your immediate priorities, culturally speaking?
First of all we need to take stock of the needs in the cultural sector, while listening to all stakeholders. This will enable the central structures within government responsibility to offer a better service in the discharge of the duties within their remit, thus stimulating and sustaining the development of art and culture in Malta and Gozo.

In this way we can organise our priorities to be better placed to meet the real needs of the sector.

And what are your long-term goals?
We need to enhance the good work of the established entities in the sector such as the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and Heritage Malta, amonge others. We also need to have a clear vision of where we want to take this sector in the coming years, particularly in the dynamic European and global dimension.

I believe that a very important aspect is to make culture and heritage more accessible to all stratas of society; we need to invest in artists' mobility and further enhance international collaboration which will help us export Maltese creativity, while at the same time exposing ourselves to international developments.

We need to create more synergy between education and culture to ensure creative quality and offer opportunities to those students who would like to make a future profession in art and culture.

More collaboration between the world of art and entrepreneurs is needed, thus guaranteeing a just and equitable relationship between the world of art and business.

As far as cultural heritage goes we must continue the good work of the national agencies with the aim of enhancing and strengthening the preservation of our rich historical sites. We need to invest to open more sites to the public, which are still inaccessible or have limited access. In this we need to rope in NGOs, voluntary organisations and even local councils.

Can we know a little bit about you? Where were you born, raised, educated, etc...
I was born in Senglea in 1949. Cottonera remains one of my favourite "historical" and "cultural" localities. I was at Mater Boni Consilii School, Paola till I sat for my 'O' Levels. Then I was one of the first female students to attend the Lyceum Sixth Form at Ħamrun. Then to the University of Malta where I graduated BA (Hons) in English.

What is your own personal artistic preference?
Books, without a shadow of doubt. But I am an avid film watcher and a lover of drama and ballet. Now that I am Minister for Culture, I can justify being on the job and no longer feel guilty that I am just enjoying myself.

In the past 10 years or so quite a few really good and extremely professional private theatre companies have appeared on the scene. They put on good quality theatre, but most are losing money. Is there any way that your ministry can help lessen the load on these companies?
Answering a previous question I emphasised the need to prioritise. This is what we are doing at the moment.

When we have our priorities in place, we can better plan for the future. We need to devise a policy on cultural support and sponsorships that reflects the realities of the day.

In devising these policies we will consult all stakeholders and engage in an honest and focused discussion with them. Our support need not necessarily be in the form of financial assistance. We can find other ways of assisting those who can really offer good and qualitative cultural products.

Among most artistic persuasions the one constant theme is money - or a lack of it. Are there any plans afoot to lessen the financial load on artistic entrepreneurs?
The answer to this question depends on the previous one. We believe there may be various ways in which we can help and we will do out best, taking into account budgetary constraints, to help in any way we can.

Another perennial cultural topic for discussion is the opera house site. Is there any prospect of it being sympathetically developed in our lifetime?
Unfortunately, a long time has passed with this eyesore looking us in the face as soon as we enter our capital city. There are different ideas on how this prominent place should be developed. Obviously choices will have to be made. What is sure is that we need to do something about it. Once again it is a question of priorities and financial commitments. I hope that a decision will soon be taken as to the proper development of the site and once we have decided, work should be taken in hand as soon as possible to rehabilitate this historic site.

Some time ago the idea was floated of turning Fort St Elmo into an artist and artisans' village. Or is this another brilliant idea that has been left to die a slow death?
Plans for Fort St Elmo are incorporated in the plans for the regeneration of Valletta, launched a few months ago. What is certain is that this place needs to be taken care of as soon as time permits.

We are aware that there are several EU initiatives in existence that promote and finance the export of culture within the community. What are the prospects for exporting Maltese culture to a wider audience?
These possibilities exist and are there for the taking. Through our structures such as the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, and Forum Malta fl-Ewropa and others, the government assists individuals, NGOs and other interested artists to apply for these funds. One must say that a number of local proposals have been successful and benefitted from these funds. A recent example is the funds obtained by St James Cavalier to carry out an interesting programme in cultural diversity.

The MCCA was also instrumental and supported Maltese, poets, writers and artists to participate in cultural and artistic activities abroad.

We have a painting by Maltese artist Alfred Chircop together with works from other European countries, hanging in the buildings of the Council of Ministers of the EU in Brussels. Renzo Spiteri was helped to go with his music to perform abroad.

Our artists are encouraged to partake from these funds, which are available to them.

They must take the initiative and we will support them through our structures.

Do you favour the retention of theatre censorship? Or would you support a move to replacing it with a strictly monitored classification system?
I believe in a sensitive censorship but I will have a long think about the "strictly monitored classification system" you mention.

Assuming that you will be the custodian of the culture portfolio for the next five years or so, what would you like to be remembered for most, when, in future years, you look back on your time as minister for culture?
For having "popularised" culture in several ways. For making the Maltese, especially the younger generation, more knowledgeable about and proud of all that makes up our national culture.