Festival to focus on national identity

The 2002 Iljieli Mediterranji (Mediterranean Nights) arts festival will have as a theme the national identity, the festival organisers said yesterday.

The festival will be held at the ruins of the old Opera House in Valletta from August 13 to 19.

The organisers said the festival was being held at the Opera House ruins to promote awareness in favour of cultural activities in the capital city. It was also meant to remind people of the architectural beauty and cultural life associated with the Opera House up to its destruction during the war and of the indifferent attitude of Maltese administrations.

The festival will start off with a collective art exhibition featuring 100 exhibits under the title Suritna fl-Arti.

A literary evening Suritna fil-versi will take place on August 16 at 8.30 p.m.

The festival will come to an end on August 19 at 8.30 p.m. with a concert of Maltese jazz billed Suritna fin-Noti.