A shining example

Evenings on Campus has established itself in the local cultural calendar. Since 1992 it has been presenting an interesting array of visual and performing arts. It was created to bring life on campus during the summer months. Given the host of charming spaces on campus, coupled with the serene summer weather (except for last Thursday's great show at Fort St Angelo when it rained cats and dogs!), what would be more appealing to the senses than an evening of quality performances? Many of those who participate in this outstanding university activity agree.

Since the foundation in 1995 of the Koperattiva Kulturali Universitarja (KKU) by a group of people active in the local cultural field to provide cultural services on campus and elsewhere, Evenings on Campus, took up a new dimension. KKU, in addition to the Evenings on Campus, organises among other events, exhibitions, theatre, opera, music, book, radio, television and multimedia productions. The good thing about KKU is that it involves the co-operation of so many people.

This year's programme was opened with a chamber version of the opera The Maltese Cross, held at Piazza d'Armi, Fort St Elmo demonstrating, among other features, the importance of Fort St Elmo and how much good use can be made of this fortress. The presence of such distinguished people as President Eddie Fenech Adami and of a number of cabinet ministers gives courage to the promotion of culture in Malta.

The organisers of the Evenings on Campus prepared a unique brochure, which is an artistic production in itself. The Ministry of Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority should have perhaps given more exposure to the cultural event both locally and abroad. For example last Sunday's magnificent presentation by Françoise Dupriez Flamand of the danced version of Petrarch's Triumph of Death certainly deserved a full page announcement in all local papers. The MTA could certainly advertise such a cultural programme in addition to the sun to try to attract a different type of tourist other than the sun-worshippers.

The need to support such activities cannot be overemphasised. Bank of Valletta has renewed its sponsorship to this year's edition of Evenings on Campus. This is not the first time that BoV has sponsored in a major way a cultural activity.

The University branch manager Karmenu Borg gives great support to University activities. BoV is showing commitment towards the development and appreciation of culture and the performing arts in Malta. Others should follow this shining example. The University is in dire need of support to keep its activities going.

One other activity that deserves much more sponsorship from commercial enterprises is the organisation of symposia, especially international conferences.

There is no doubt that this 12th edition of the Evenings on Campus festival shows that this event has established itself in the local cultural calendar thanks to quality performances and to the valuable contribution of the university's academics, support staff and students. A regular feature of Evenings on Campus is the screening of a number of films which are not the usual type shown on the commercial screens.

The 2004 Evenings on Campus, entitled Shine the Night, is a shining example of how the University can contribute to society, especially in the field of culture. Well done and keep it up. To the collaborators and sponsors: thank you; without your support this summer would not have shone so brightly culturally.