Is-Sibt filgħodu, l-Eċċellenza Tagħha Myriam Spiteri Debono, President ta’ Malta, nediet edizzjoni oħra tal-esebizzjoni artistika Art4MCCF, b’risq il-Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF), fil-Palazz Presidenzjali l-Belt Valletta.
L-edizzjoni ta’ din is-sena, li hija l-ħames waħda fil-format ta’ esebizzjoni kkurata, għandha t-tema The (In)Visible Self u tlaqqa’ 48 artist Malti u internazzjonali, li taw donazzjoni tal-arti tagħhom, bil-qligħ tagħhom imur għall-MCCF.
Fid-diskors tagħha, il-President Myriam Spiteri Debono esprimiet l-apprezzament tagħha lejn l-artisti li qed jieħdu sehem f’din l-edizzjoni ta’ Art4MCCF, u li permezz tat-talent u l-kreattività tagħhom qed jagħtu kontribut konkret b’risq dawk li jeħtieġu l-għajnuna tal-Malta Community Chest Fund. Hija osservat kif permezz ta’ din l-inizjattiva, l-arti mhux biss isservi bħala mezz biex jitwasslu l-ħsibijiet u l-emozzjonijiet tal-artisti, iżda qed titwassal ukoll espressjoni ta’ solidarjetà, hekk kif dawn l-artisti, kollha b’realtajiet differenti, ngħaqdu għal għan wieħed, dak li jgħinu lil ħaddieħor.
Il-President innutat ukoll, li għall-ewwel darba, f’Art4MCCF ġew inklużi xogħlijiet artistiċi minn residenti tal-Faċilità Korrettiva ta’ Kordin. Hija qalet li din il-parteċipazzjoni twassal messaġġ importanti ta’ inklużjoni, filwaqt li tfakkar li wara dak li jidher minn barra hemm dejjem bniedem bl-esperjenzi, il-ħsibijiet, il-kapaċitajiet u l-aspirazzjonijiet tiegħu.
Il-wirja tinkludi wkoll xogħlijiet ta’ artisti li llum m’għadhomx magħna, u b’hekk tagħti spazju lill-wirt artistiku li ħallew warajhom. Dawn ix-xogħlijiet qed jiġu esebiti bħala parti mill-esebizzjoni, iżda mhumiex għall-bejgħ.
Il-President ta’ Malta rringrazzjat lill-kumitat organizzattiv ta’ Art4MCCF, immexxi mis-Sur Lawrence Pavia, kif ukoll lill-artisti kollha li qed jieħdu sehem f’din l-edizzjoni.
L-esebizzjoni hija kkurata minn Melanie Erixon u apparti artisti minn Malta, qed tara oħrajn ġejjin mill-Indja, miċ-Ċina, mir-Renju Unit, mill-Panama, mill-Ungerija, minn Spanja, mill-Ekwador u anke mill-Islovakkja.
Il-wirja se tkun miftuħa għall-pubbliku mingħajr ħlas fil-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru, il-Belt Valletta, mit-Tnejn 12 ta’ Ottubru sal-Ħadd 25 ta’ Ottubru, bid-dħul ikun minn Triq il-Merkanti. Il-wirja tkun miftuħa bejn l-10am sas-1pm u l-4pm sas-6pm.
Il-pubbliku jista’ wkoll jaċċessa l-katalgu diġitali fuq art4mccf.mt.
Għal aktar informazzjoni segwi hawn: https://facebook.com/events/s/the-invisible-self/1616543689661477/
I sincerely thank Her Excellency President Nataša Pirc Musar for graciously hosting us in the beautiful city of Ljubljana for this year’s meeting of the Arraiolos Group.
The themes chosen for our discussion are highly topical, deserving reflection and attention.
Arising out of the ashes of war and seeking lasting peace and prosperity, the EU was established on the principles of solidarity, democratic cooperation, the rule of law, human rights, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Over the years, the European Union principles of cooperation, shared prosperity, and solidarity have inspired more and more countries to seek Union membership.
Regarding candidate countries that see the EU as their natural home, we must continue supporting them in implementing the reforms necessary for accession, while ensuring that the process remains merit-based, credible, and firmly anchored in the established criteria.
The present geopolitical scenario makes it imperative that the European vision and these ideals at the forefront of our considerations. We must show that Europe is ready to act, assume responsibility, and work with its partners in defence of our shared principles.
Recent geopolitical developments have underlined the need for the European Union to strengthen its capacity to safeguard our common interests, while remaining a reliable and principled international partner.
The EU must continue to be a strong and consistent voice for universal human rights, international law, including international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, as well as the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
We cannot lose sight of the broader challenges before us. Climate change, sustainable development, and food insecurity remain pressing concerns, compounded by conflicts that are disrupting vital maritime corridors and placing additional strain on global trade and food supply systems.
Collective efforts are also needed to make sure that new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, continue to serve humanity as a whole, and not be another factor that contributes to the widening of the global divide.
The Union’s credibility also depends on how its principles are experienced by citizens in their daily lives. Free movement must remain a tangible expression of European integration, underpinned by fair treatment, mutual responsibility and respect for the rules agreed by all Member States.
It is by facing the challenges of our time, remaining united, and applying our principles consistently that the EU can use it strengths to shape a better future and exert a positive influence on the rest of the world.
I thank you for your kind attention.