Band club laments 'lack of support'

St Michael's Band of Zabbar has complained that its efforts to promote local culture overseas have not been appreciated. This was because the government turned down its request for money to cover some of the expenses for a trip in Poland.

When contacted, Paul Mifsud, the director of Department of Arts and Culture, to which the request was made, said that although it agreed with such initiatives it was not possible to help financially because of the lack of funds at its disposal.

The band recently placed second in the International Festival Golden Lyre in Rybnik, Poland. It was among 10 participants from various countries in Europe. The band held concerts in a public park and at the Culture House and played band marches along the streets of Rybnik.

A spokesman for the club said: "We feel disappointed that societies like ours are not given any support for their commitment and efforts to promote local talent overseas."

He also expressed disappointment that instances when excessive pique had resulted in incidents were blown up in the media while the good that came out of band clubs was being ignored.

Mr Mifsud said that although the department agreed with such initiatives by band clubs and encouraged their participation in festivals and concerts abroad, it was not possible to subsidise these visits because funds were limited.

"The department receives at least six such requests each year and if a decision is taken to help a club then it would have to help others too. This is not possible," he said.

On the other hand, the department supported other cultural initiatives which, without assistance, would not be held, he added.

According to data issued by the National Statistics Office recently, band clubs in Malta and Gozo made an overall loss of Lm62,805 last year.

Their total income fell by two per cent from the year before, from Lm854,963 to Lm837,800. On the other hand, their expenditure increased by 9.1 per cent, from Lm825,422 to Lm900,605.

The bulk of the expenditure - 36.3 per cent - went towards the remuneration of bandsmen while 33 per cent of the total income came from donations.