Malta's EU entry captured by 360° lens

A limited edition book celebrating Malta's entry into the EU, and created in the popular 360-degree format, has been launched by Miranda Publishers.

It is the culmination of months of striving to collect the best photographs that capture the May 1 event, the run-up to it and the immediate aftermath.

Only 3,000 numbered copies of Welcome Malta to Europe 360° have been published and the collector's item is never going to be printed again, Miranda Publishers director Eddie Aquilina said. Only 900 copies are still available for purchase.

A unique photographic journey of Malta's accession to the EU, the book has 126 pages and 155 stunning images of what has been described as "one awe-inspiring moment in time".

The events leading to and celebrating Malta's accession were so spectacular - not only the light show - that they deserved to be portrayed through the 360° lens, Mr Aquilina said.

"Being a special occasion, it deserved a special book."

Welcome Malta to Europe 360° commemorates the historic events that led to the celebrations on the eve of May 1, going as far back as the signing of the first accession agreement with the European Economic Community by then Prime Minister George Borg Olivier.

The book also contains a photograph of Malta's original application to join the EU on July 16, 1990, signed by the then Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Guido de Marco.

"When considering that when Malta gained independence in 1964 and became a republic 10 years later no record was produced, Malta's EU membership could not share the same fate.

"It is a shame that these momentous events are not recorded in a way that suits them," Mr Aquilina said.

The foreword to the coffee table book is penned by President Eddie Fenech Adami and includes the contributions of several prominent protagonists - both from Malta and the EU - of the important historical and political event. Among them is Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, European Commissioner Joe Borg, Malta's permanent representative to the EU Richard Cachia Caruana, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant, AD chairman Harry Vassallo, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo, President Emeritus Guido de Marco, European Commission delegation head Ronald Gallimore, European Commissioner Gunther Verheugen, the former president of the European Parliament Pat Cox, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and Michael Mallia, who was involved in the negotiations between Malta and the EEC when the two sides signed the Association Agreement in 1970.

The visual reportage, the bulk of the book, includes the work of Italian 360° photographer Enrico Formica, Kurt Arrigo, Lino Arrigo Azzopardi, Robert Camilleri, Mark Cassar, Daniel Cilia, Louise Strickland and Darrin Zammit Lupi.

Three photographers were commissioned on the night of the Grand Harbour celebrations, including Mr Formica, who was brought over for the weekend. Mr Aquilina also looked at what various other photographers had shot.

The historical portfolio also features the Caravaggio exhibition, shot in the 360° format; the Night of the Stars concert at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, featuring soprano Miriam Gauci and tenor Joseph Calleja; the Heritage Malta exhibition, Roots of a Nation and a 180-degree shot of the refurbished Barrakka Gardens, which was opened for the event.

Touching the political aspect, scenes from meetings, leading up to the referendum, are also depicted.

Anyone wishing to browse through a copy of Welcome Malta to Europe can do so from Saturday at a book fair and exhibition in the old Gasan showroom at Pietà, which Miranda is holding until March 4 to celebrate its 15th anniversary.

The elegant, hardbound book, with its laminated jacket and hand-made slipcase, is only available from the publishers or their online bookstore www.mirandabooks.com.