International drama festival

The international drama festival organised by the Drama Centre Mikelang Borg to mark the 25th anniversary of the centre, came to an end after three weekends of productions.

The first two weekends saw a number of local Maltese theatrical groups performing original works in their characteristic styles and approaches, creating a diversity of theatrical experiences. The groups - Aleiateia, Faces, Kast, TDC and Teatru Menz - would like to publicly thank all those who were instrumental for the success of this event, and particularly Josette Ciappara, head of the drama centre, who believed in this event and without whose enthusiasm and persistence the event would not have taken place.

Such events are a rarity, particularly in a local theatrical climate where "commercial" productions have become the rule of the day. Without diminishing the importance of such productions, it is important to create a space where local theatrical companies promote "local" theatrical initiatives and give a much-needed dimension to the Maltese theatre with innovative productions and locally written scripts.

This is certainly in line with the objectives of the cultural policy which the Ministry of Education launched in August, 2001. The policy paper states that "theatre needs dedicated animators to relate it to community development, to provoke lively and impassioned debates on issues which prompt controversy and solicit social and political action. Theatre in Malta needs to have a critical vision or it may eventually perish."

In addition, the policy stresses the need for local authenticity, in relation to contemporary local experience and to increase the scope for synergies between entities catering for the dramatic arts in all their aspects, from research theatre to educational drama and outreach programmes conducted with regional or local authorities, with the Maltese language serving as an effective artistic tool of exceptional importance in relating drama to societal truths.

The participating companies firmly believe that through this festival these principles have been put to practice and thank those sponsors who supported this initiative.

It is hoped that this will not remain a one-off event but will become a regular annual event in the local cultural programme, thus giving the much-needed boost to local theatre and encouraging the participation of other groups. This festival has the potential to expand and reach out to a wider public who might be sceptical of attending new theatrical experiences.

The theatrical companies participating this year are keen to keep this annual event and will do their utmost to seek resources to sustain this event next year. However, the support of the relevant authorities and their commitment and goodwill towards this event would be very encouraging to the various theatrical groups in their efforts to develop a new dimension to the Maltese theatrical scene.