Sixteen cultural and creative programmes are being awarded €433,333 as part of the RESTART Scheme 2021, managed by Arts Council Malta.
The scheme was created from the additional €1 million special government investment announced during the last budget.
Addressing a press conference, Arts Minister José Herrera said his ministry is ensuring that artists and those involved in the cultural and creative sectors recover from the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in a sustainable and resilient manner.
This was being done by safeguarding the livelihood of those employed within the sectors and through assistance in response to the aftermath of the pandemic.
Aleks Farrugia disqualified by EU Literature Prize over SKS’s ‘Labour’ affiliation
SKS condemns disqualification of writer Aleks Farrugia by national jury of EU Prize for Literature
12 May 2021, 11:52am
by Matthew Vella
One of Malta’s main publishing houses has deplored a ban from the European Union Prize for Literature, for being owned by the Labour Party.
Labour’s SKS Publishers said it “condemned” its treatment by the EUPL after Malta Book Prize winner Aleks Farrugia (Għall-Glorja tal-Patrija) was disqualified from the EUPL shortlist.
The EUPL have claimed that the prize they award is “apolitical” and had to disqualify Farrugia because SKS is affiliated to a political party.
Maltese author Aleks Farrugia has been disqualified from participating in the EU s Prize for Literature because the media house that published his book is affiliated with a political party.
“Apart from this condition not being mentioned in the rules, it is the author’s right to choose the publisher,” Farrugia, author of
Għall-Glorja tal-Patrija, (
The Glory of the Homeland) said.
On Wednesday SKS Publishers deplored and condemned the EUPL’s decision to disqualify the Malta Book Prize winner. EUPL was launched in 2009 to recognise emerging fiction writers from across Europe.
In a statement published on Facebook, SKS said EUPL had claimed that the prize was apolitical and Farrugia was disqualified because the publishing house was affiliated with a political party (the Labour Party).
Composer and pianist Véronique Vella released her debut solo album One of the Number this week.
This electroacoustic album features the spoken word, with women from six European countries sharing their experiences of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The languages featured are Maltese, English, French, Italian and Spanish. Each of the 10 tracks on the album is named after the woman who shared her thoughts and reflections with the artist.
The work is being digitally distributed on Spotify and on most online music-sharing platforms.
The featured participants are mostly in their 30s and 40s and are based in Malta, France and Scotland. As they are friends, colleagues or family members of Vella’s, the delivery often verges on the confessional, creating an intimate snapshot of the women’s lives.
Poland represented at ECO Solidarity Polish Cultural Institute New York will present the ECO Solidarity program at WantedDesign Manhattan and ICFF Virtual Trade Show as well as an online exhibition at WantedDesign.com.
At a moment when many are concerned with climate change, bold new ideas are needed. It is with this in mind that eight countries have come together to announce the second edition of ECO Solidarity, an international project, movement, and initiative focused on design solutions for some of the most pressing issues of our time.
Eight designers were selected to share products and projects that consider positive social impact, design empathy, and sustainable materials. ECO Solidarity will launch as part of the CLOSEUP 2021 presented by ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan event on May 18, 2021 during two sessions, followed by an expanded online exhibition in June.