To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Arts Council Malta has launched an unprecedented initiative that has been well-received by local artists and the public alike. RETOLD is an initiative that brings together locally produced, world-class artistic projects exhibited in past arts biennales for display in Malta, allowing the local community of artists and Maltese citizens to enjoy them. The biennales are the Venice Art Biennale, which takes place every two years, and is the best

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   I never called Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici by his name:  "Karmenu." To me, he was always Dr Mifsud Bonnici, or just Dr Karm.  I had spent a good seven years studying and working with him in my years as a law student and in my first years as a lawyer in private practice in what were the most interesting, colourful and inspiring years of my youth.  Sometimes we would walk down the small street that le

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)    On Tuesday evening, during the Prime Minister's budget speech, the contrast couldn't have been clearer. On one side stood a strong, calm, and decisive Prime Minister, focused on delivering a clear vision for the nation. On the other hand was an opposition leader who seemed completely out of his depth - struggling, distracted, and evidently unable to keep his own party and parliamentary group unde

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)     The weekend before budget day, as is customary, the finance minister gave us, his cabinet member colleagues, a presentation of the Budget 2025 measures.   My immediate reaction was that this was a positive budget that would receive a strong nod of approval by all Maltese citizens. You are reading this article four days after Clyde Caruana read his budget speech, and I have no doubt that you appr

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)    Never have we witnessed such a tremendous positive reaction to a budget. People from all walks of life, regardless of their background, age, or financial standing, shall benefit from unprecedented tax cuts; higher stipends, children's allowances, pensions, and many other positive measures. Last Monday's budget was yet another clear demonstration that Labour cares and works. It gave more, and took

Kitba meħuda mill-gazzetta ‘it-Torċa’ (| Il-Ħadd 26 ta’ Ottubru 2025) paġna numru 3   Ix-xogħlijiet ta’ restawr fuq il-Mitħna tar-Riħ storika ta’ San Ġwann t’Għuxa f’Bormla mexjin sew, u dan jimmarka pass importanti ieħor fil-preservazzjoni tal-wirt arkitettoniku u industrijali rikk ta’ Malta. Ilproġett, immexxi mid-Dipartiment tar-Restawr u l-Preservazzjoni, beda f’Mejju 2025 u mistenni jitlesta salbidu tal-2026.   Mibnija fl-1674 minn Nicolas u Rafael Cotoner, ilmitħna tar-

Kitba meħuda mill-gazzetta ‘it-Torċa’ (Il-Ħadd 26 ta’ Ottubru 2025) paġna numru 2   Ir-restawr u x-xogħol ta’ konsolidament tat-Torri ta’ Għajn Tuffieħa, wieħed mill-eqdem torrijiet tal-għassa kostali ta’ Malta, tlestew b’suċċess, u dan jimmarka pass importanti ieħor fl-isforz nazzjonali kontinwu biex jiġi protett u mqajjem mill-ġdid il-wirt kulturali tal-pajjiż.   Il-proġett, immexxi midDipartiment tar-Restawr ul-Preservazzjoni, ta ħajja ġdida lit-torri tas-Seklu 17, li nben

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   This Monday, we will present the fourth budget of this legislature. Families will be the focus of Budget 2026. This budget follows a statement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicating that Malta's economy is expected to continue surpassing the rest of Europe, with the IMF forecasting it will remain the fastest-growing economy in the eurozone through 2030. PRE-2013 There was a time, no

Kitba meħuda mill-gazzetta ‘it-Torċa’ (| Il-Ħadd 19 ta’ Ottubru 2025) paġna numru 2   Saret ċerimonja l-Furjana biex tfakkar lil Dun Karm Psaila, il-Poeta Nazzjonali ta’ Malta, f’għeluq 64 sena minn mewtu fit-13 ta’ Ottubru 1961. L-avveniment sar ħdejn il-monument tiegħu stess, fejn uffiċjali u rappreżentanti kulturali nġabru biex jonoraw il-kontribut dejjiemi tiegħu għal-lingwa Maltija u l-identità nazzjonali.   Imwieled f’Ħaż-Żebbuġ fit-18 ta’ Ottubru 1871, Dun Karm ma kien

Kitba meħuda mill-gazzetta ‘it-Torċa’ (Il-Ħadd 19 ta’ Ottubru 2025) paġna numru 3   L-istilla ta’ Hollywood Jake Gyllenhaal bħalissa jinsab f’Malta għall-iffi lmjar ta’ Road House 2, produzzjoni internazzjonali ewlenija li għażlet il-gżejjer bħala l-post ewlieni tal-iffilmjar tagħha. Il-film, dirett minn Ilya Naishuller, huwa t-tieni film fil-franchise popolari ta’ Road House u jimmarka l-ewwel darba li qed jiġi ffilmjat f’Malta permezz talprogramm ta’ rifużjoni fi flus kont

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Following the Labour Government's investment of around €30 million to save a total of 14 band club venues at risk of eviction, we have now taken a further step in our effort to safeguard Maltese pastimes and traditions.   Last Sunday, at a town hall meeting with several NGOs and organizations representing pastimes and local traditions, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that musical societies w

The resistance to the Nationalist Party's constitutional bill by various stakeholders was fierce and understandable. Had it gone through, it would have created an unprecedented threat to numerous pastimes and Maltese traditions.  We stopped it before it could create havoc. Whether the intention was to undermine Maltese traditions or whether it was a badly planned motion is anybody's guess, but the PN managed, once again, to create a coalition of people and organisations again

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   It's Notte Bianca tomorrow in Valletta, and this year, it is more vibrant and inclusive than previous editions - all of which were extraordinary successes.   The streets of Valletta will be bustling with cultural and artistic creativity, offering quality entertainment for everyone. Valletta's majestic palaces and historical buildings will be open to the public. This year's event will feature 350 a

This week, Prime Minister Robert Abela took centre stage at the United Nations Conference in New York, and in front of world leaders, declared proudly and unequivocally that Malta was recognizing the State of Palestine. It was a historic moment in world politics, and for Malta, it was yet another confirmation that we stand on the right side of history. Bold step Since 1988, Malta has recognised Palestinian 'aspirations' for statehood, but it is the current Labour government,

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government)     "Our biggest regret is that he can never look in the mirror and see how good-looking he is. He will never be able to see his brother and sister, and the world around him."  This is what Karen and Johann Ellul told The Malta Independent on Sunday, in 2016, about their son Quiven, then a two-year-old, who a year before had been diagnosed with cancer in both eyes and, as a result, lost his sight. Fa

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Like an exhausted traveller, the Nationalist Party limps after 12 catastrophic years in opposition. Following the heavy defeat in 2013, the PN chose not to change - with fatal electoral consequences since then. Last week, Adrian Delia and Alex Borg debated each other on NET TV. It was almost a physical discomfort to watch them. The air felt heavy, and the atmosphere was tense - the vacancy for the

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   15th August 1942 - as Malta was on the verge of surrendering to the enemy, the people were famished and the country in ruins, and the embattled Ohio, having endured enemy fire, sailed into the Grand Harbour bringing much-needed supplies to Malta. With pride, Malta called it the Santa Marija Convoy, and 83 years later it remains a special occasion for Malta and the Maltese. Every year we celebrate

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Malta will not be alone in recognising the State of Palestine next September and will be joining another 10 EU member states who have already recognised the State of Palestine. Out of these ten States, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden had already recognised the State of Palestine generations ago when people my age were still in our childhood. Malta's decision to rec

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Adrian Delia and Alex Borg are vying for the top post at the Nationalist Party. Following the abrupt resignation of Bernard Grech, few were willing to throw their names into the hat, and only Delia and Borg came forward. Media reports said that there was a gentleman's agreement between Borg and his now former mentor, Delia, that the former will not contest against the latter. It was said that Deli

Owen Bonnici (Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.)   Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of addressing a conference as part of the Mediterrane Film Festival. The setting was the majestic Fort Ricasoli, the location for some of Hollywood's greatest blockbusters, including Gladiator.  It was an occasion to look back, reflect and look forward and inspire.  I spoke about the need to nurture the thriving film-servicing industry and ensure a better trai