After a selection process and information talks in autumn 2005 The Business Club "AUSTRIALIA" appointed 5 learners to take part in the research on Maltese Culture and the Forum Theatre plays. The stay in Malta was prepared by drafting a programme for the week and arranging for meetings and excursions with the support of the Maltese partner -  the Malta Drama Centre.

Very early on 7 March the learners and the Austrian project management met at Vienna airport for the flight to Malta. Everyone was excited and some a bit worried about the 'unknown' ahead. After a smooth flight they all landed safely at Luqa airport to be welcomed by Mr. Mario Azzopardi from the Malta Drama Centre and were escorted to the hotel in St. Julians.

In spare time of the first afternoon the group started to explore the history of Malta by catching a public bus to Mdina, the former capital of Malta. Fighting against the heavy winds the group strolled through the narrow alleyways of the medieval city, complaining about the fairly cold weather they did not expect in Malta.

Unfortunately the weather did not improve significantly throughout the stay and the Austrians discovered the lack of window sealing in Maltese buildings. Luckily this did not colour the whole experience and the group was still eager to learn more about Maltese Culture.

The programme for the stay was rather tight and on the first morning in Malta the group was due for an excursion to the Agricultural Research station in Marsa, where they were given extensive information on fruit and vegetable growing and animal farming on the islands. This was followed by a visit to the education channel 22 and a tour to the city of Valetta, the smallest capital city in the world with just 8.000 inhabitants.

Three mornings of the stay were dedicated to the Maltese Language, taught by the famous Maltese linguist Mr. Mario Serracin Inglott. Tongue-twisting exercises made the learners from Austria understand the particularities and difficulties of the Maltese Language which was strongly influenced by Arabic, Spanish and Italian. Beside learning a few Maltese expressions and words the group also received valuable information on Maltese history and cultural heritage.

In the afternoons and evenings there was still enough time to meet with youth at the Salesian Youth Centre and the Maltese refugees camp near the harbour. Another highlight of the Austrian research visit to Malta was the lesson on Maltese Folk Music by Mr. Ruben Zahra, who introduced the classical instruments used on the islands for centuries.

A meeting with Dr Paul V. Mifsud from the Malta Council for Culture and Arts and Mr Caldon Mercieca from the Ministry for Tourism of Culture at Auberge d'Italie was the opportunity to hear the official voice of Malta and to get insights into the complexity of Maltese heritage. Tours to the fishermans' village Marsaxlokk, the West of the island, the Prehistoric Temples and to the Three Cities provided the group with hands-on experience of the ancient routes of Maltese culture.

As we all know food and eating plays an essential role in intercultural understanding and for this reason the Austrian group attended the Mediterranean Food Festival in St. Julians in order to celebrate with Maltese people. Excellent food, folklore dances and music made this evening one of the most enjoyable moments of the stay and the learners had the chance to talk to a number of Maltese people and to share information.

For their last evening in Malta Dr Herbert Skok from the Volksbank Malta had arranged for a typical Maltese dinner with the Austrian Ambassador in Malta, Dr Elisabeth Kehrer. Between Maltese rabbit and Maltese wine the Austrians shared experience of living in Malta and enjoyed themselves with Maltese delicatessen.

In March/April 2007 the Austrian group will be back in Malta to put their impressions and findings on stage for a Maltese audience. We will keep you informed about dates and locations!

Vienna, 15 April 2006
Ingrid Wagenhofer
Project Co-ordinator Austria