Quest for revival of musical heritage

A car park by day and a rubbish tip for some, St John's Ditch, in Valletta, surrounded by its majestic bastions dating back to the Knights of St John, is this weekend serving as the backdrop for Etnika's concert, Etnikafé.

The concert is being held in tribute to Toni Cachia, il-Hammarun, who died last month aged 88. He was the last in line of Maltese pipers but thankfully he passed on his knowledge to the Etnika team which now knows how to make and play the traditional instrument iz-zaqq, the Maltese bagpipe.

The concert is being held tomorrow and on Saturday and Sunday between 8.30 - 11 p.m. A mixed media approach combining narrative, projections, dance and ethnic music will be presented.

The story behind the concert - of a young boy in search of a lost dream - reflects the band's quest for the revival of the country's musical heritage.

Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech told a news conference yesterday that Etnika's projects had always been intended as a voyage in time to discover the cultural and musical heritage lost along the years.

Etnika projects gathered together a group of people who reintroduced instruments and a heritage which had been lost and melodies which had been forgotten.

Because of the country's strategic position and also because Malta had been ruled by several nations of diverse cultures, the Maltese folkloristic music in existence was limited.

The biggest folkloristic element in this regard was ghana (traditional Maltese folk singing) and every effort was being made to ensure this was not lost.

Etnika used ghana for narration utilising the best ghannejja in the country. New arrangements based on ghana had already been prepared this year but this was not enough as every ghannej lost and not substituted was an irreparable loss for the country's folklore.

Dr Zammit Dimech said he was grateful to Etnika which was instilling life in traditional music through creativity and innovation.

Etnika, now in its fourth year, had reintroduced the use of forgotten instruments, iz-zaqq and it-tambur, tambourine. They are this year re-introducing the flejguta, a cane whistle flute.

The minister praised the fact that the initiative was being held at St John's Ditch, part of the fortifications built by the Knights of St John and which now contributed to the projection of Malta as an experience in the tourism sector.

He said Etnika's musicians were also serving as ambassadors for the country as they were representing Malta in several international festivals with their music, based on local traditions.

Etnika, he said, were doing their bit to save this traditional heritage from extinction.

Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier said the site being used for Etnikafé provided a unique and original backdrop for cultural activities and the performing arts. They also created a focus. Such an activity, for example, had pushed the authorities to clean up the area. He hoped it would also lead the public to take better care of the area.

Concert tickets, at Lm6, are available from St James' Cavalier, D'Amato of Valletta and Sliema and at the door. Entrance for the concert will be through Great Siege Road.