GSSE opening ceremony

On June 2 I attended the opening ceremony of the Games of Small States of Europe at the National Stadium. However when most of the media reported that it was a spectacular show, I felt that the reporters were either watching the ceremony on TV, or they were in the stadium's enclosure without empathising with the whole audience. So I decided to write as someone who was present in the stadium from 5 to 9.30 p.m. watching the whole show.

We are a family of four and I bought tickets for seats in the Millennium stand (Lm24, for adults and children alike!). I opted for the Lm6 tickets and not the Lm4 ones since I was expecting a ceremony of a high standard which worth getting the best places.

The following comments are not intended to put the event in a bad light, but because I feel that with the same resources and a bit of insight regarding what the audience in the stadium were experiencing, it would have been enjoyed by all, not just by the few seated in the VIP area and the enclosure.

1. It was painful to see the stadium only half-full. Unfortunately, the public is blamed for not responding. This is not fair. Why were admission prices so high? Why not Lm4, Lm2 and Lm1 for children? I'm sure that this small difference would have filled the stadium.

2. My second point is the very unfair and discriminating way that the whole ceremony was addressed solely to the VIPs (with all due respect) and those seated in the "enclosure" (West Stand).

Why wasn't a stage put up in the centre of the ground (treating all present equally)? Are we saving the turf for withering in summer? Didn't it occur to the organisers that the people in the Millennium stand were some 100 metres (or more) away from Freddie Portelli, Ira Losco and the speakers, and they would be trying to follow what was going on? Besides, these "entertainers" were all the time facing the VIPs and the TV cameras, while giving us their backs, if your eyesight was good enough to see them!

Has someone on the island ever heard about "big screens", those large flat implements of technology that can show what is being captured on camera to an audience at a closer view? In this way we would have at least seen the faces of the singers and witnessed the persons giving the speeches and taking the oaths. No, apparently for this event, neither these were possible!

The sight of an empty playing field during the performances could have been improved by having a dance on the turf, or some other choreography. This only happened for the last song, where it was quite a nice sight to see the colourful dancers spread out giving everyone a good view; it was a pity that by that time most of the foreign and local athletes had vacated their seats (do we see this happening in the Olympics?). Even when the athletes paraded around the track, why weren't they brought in the centre of the field and kept there at least until the lighting of the flame?

I am a YADA fan; I like their style and the way they are able to give a show with quite a large number of performers, they show co-ordination. Throughout the whole dance, which was supposed to enact Maltese history, did they use any single tune from our vast Maltese repertoire? No... but we got Spanish, Jamaican, African, and what not, except favourite Maltese tunes...

Here again, where you expect the entire audience to enjoy the show equally, you get floats being displayed on the track just in front of the VIP stand. Why not in the middle, or at least repeat the process on the opposite side as well? At the end of the dance, we heaved a sigh of relief, as it appeared that the dancers were going to open some kind of banner in the middle of the ground! But, lo and behold, the banner was held in a slanting position facing the VIPs yet again! Couldn't it have been turned around, no... too expensive, I guess!

The best part of the show was definitely the fireworks display at the end. It was very good, thoroughly co-ordinated and really came out well. And this time everyone was able to see it properly. Well done! Pity that, as for the final song, most of the guests had already left, but then again they probably didn't miss anything as this could have been easily viewed from any rooftop or open space in the vicinity.

All in all, this ceremony was nothing special. It was all presented in one direction, ignoring the common folk who try to support such events by their attendance. Unfortunately, most if not all the media were reporting the event as if it were all covered in gold, afraid that any constructive criticism would put them in a bad light. This attitude ensures that amateurism will continue to reign in this country.

I wish to end by heartily congratulating all the Maltese athletes who competed in these games. They showed determination and good preparation, and above all, they kept the public entertained by their brilliant performances. These people make us feel proud to be Maltese and I hope that more incentives are given so that all sport in Malta (not just football) is given the importance it deserves.