A creative project titled Vuċijiet Beltin (Voices of Valletta) was unveiled last month at the San Ġorġ Preca College, Valletta Primary.
Led by Angele Galea, artist and artistic director of More or Less Theatre, this project aims to celebrate the diverse voices and aspirations of Valletta’s residents, which will be expressed in a theatrical performance during the Science in the City Festival in September.
During the unveiling event on May 12, the Valletta Primary students presented the findings from an audit conducted with the assistance of the EkoSkola team.
The event also featured speeches from mayor Alfred Zammit; Commissioner for Children Antoinette Vassallo; Wendy Jo Mifsud, lecturer at the University of Malta; Isaac Delmar, representative of the St Dominic Theatre group; and Marlene Dattoli, representative of the University of Malta and Malta Chamber of Scientists.
The latter emphasised the significance of community projects and showcased the Science in the City Festival’s efforts to support the local community and encourage youths to pursue STEM careers.
About the project
Vuċijiet Beltin has been driven by a dedicated team of artists, educators and community leaders.
Guided by teachers Whitney Maria Mintoff and Romina Obidimalor Munro, the students identified relevant topics from their curriculum and embarked on a journey to explore Valletta’s rich history.
Under the guidance of Elizabeth Agius and Audrey Gauci from EkoSkola, the children conducted an audit, engaging with Valletta residents, workers and tourists to gather their perspectives on what they liked about the city and the changes they wished to see.
The next phase of the project involves transforming the children’s ideas into a theatrical performance scheduled for September at St Dominic Theatre.
The collaboration with the St Dominic Theatre Group, a local amateur drama ensemble, will ensure that the production captures the aspirations and realities of the Valletta community.
Workshops on scriptwriting and acting led by award-winning scriptwriter Malcolm Galea, along with the involvement of designers James Dimech and Sean Briffa (proficient in upcycling and sustainability) further enrich the project.
The final performance will take place during the Science in the City Festival, offering the Valletta local community a platform that has been developed over 10 years, bringing together researchers and artists in Malta’s capital annually.
The project was also supported by Alan Deidun from the Faculty of Biology, who shared insights on sea pollution, and Antoine Gatt, who demonstrated the beauty and effectiveness of roof gardens, while Wendy Jo Mifsud discussed urban design, public spaces and the importance of incorporating greenery in planning.
The organisers would also like to thank the Commissioner for Children for her support in facilitating the children’s expressions, as well as to Valletta Primary headmistress Victoria Spiteri, who embraced the project from its inception.
Vuċijiet Beltin is backed by Arts Council Malta and the Valletta Cultural Agency.
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