THE MALTA DRAMA CENTRE continues to collaborate with other overseas institutions in projects related to repertory and community theatre. The Centre has recently worked in association with the Alliance Francaise de Malte, the Machina Theatre Company in Thessalonika, the Ariadne Company in France and Studio Theatre West in London.

In December 2007, the Drama Centre entered another project based on social issues. Forming part of the EU Grundtvig Learning Programme, the project, called 'C Europe on Stage', involved three countries, namely Malta, Austria and Greece.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT 'C Europe on Stage'

The project involves three partners from EU countries, some more, some less experienced in European co-operation. The main goal of the project is to expand and share / use experience among the learning partners about forum theatre as a means to meet people on a different level of awareness and to further deepen their understanding of different cultural backgrounds, while creating a sense of and identifying what could be European identity.

C'Europe on Stage aims to raise people's - people disadvantaged for socio-economic reasons, persons living in rural or disadvantaged areas and women - conscious awareness of the differences and similarities of cultural traits and specifics they are born into, by exposing them to a theatre play in different languages.

Each partner identifies themes of interest or problem areas into their home country, which are then displayed in Forum Theatre role-plays, performed by a European group of actors (acting groups of the partner countries). In this performance the local sight onto these problems is compared with the impressions of the partners / guests and developed into something new and may be common. With the interactive role-play the audience in the host countries is challenged to consider their perspectives on Europe and European identity.

All actors are part of the European group, experiencing the responses of 3 different cultures to the idea of an European identity, while at the same time having to define their own attitude towards Europe. The stage role-plays and interactive audience responses are kept on video and are displayed to larger audiences through a weblog on European identity. A main part of the activities will take place throughout the year 2008 - promoting the year of Intercultural Dialogue.

The partners want to :

• Expand and exchange expertise among the learning partners concerning Forum Theatre as a medium for obtaining intercultural skills.

• Learn more about various European cultures and their way of communicating.

• Enhanced awareness of the influencing cultural roots on behaviour and thinking pattern.

• Increase awareness of verbal and non-verbal communication determined by culture.

• Promote information about the EU as an entity and the Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008.

• Explore and develop a sense of European Identity and how the creation of European identity can contribute to European society.

• Promote less taught languages, as there are Maltese and Greek.

THE MALTESE ISSUE

Clandestine immigration in Malta is often described as a problem of national proportion.

During the past few years, thousands of sub-Saharan Africans have risked their lives to find first refuge in a Mediterranean country and then (hopefully) proceed to the European mainland for permanent residence.

The issue has raised intense controversy, with a far-right faction organising protest marches against the illegal 'invasions'. Pro-immigrant lobbyists also fell victims to acts of violence against them personally and against their households and belongings.

On the other hand, other lobbies, including the Jesuits' Refugee Service have been vociferous in claiming the rights of African immigrants.

Entities like the Malta Drama Centre have also launched initiatives to endorse the immigrants rights, including cultural and creative expression.

The Institute of Journalists have also issued a formal memorandum to the main political parties insisting that the Governments allow journalists to visit and report on the immigrants' detention centre.

Pressed from many sides, the Government published a Policy Document on Irregular Immigrants, Refugees and Integration, pledging sensitivity to the physical and emotional needs of persons in detention; ethnic respect for their cultural diversity and the organisation of recreational activities.

There are foreign interventionists who claim that Malta could be used more as a transit point for those wanting to go to Europe and that actually, Europe needs a migrant workforce if it is to maintain the standards of its economy.

MALTA VOX POP

David Scicluna Giusti
Age : 29
Occupation : Electrical Engineer

The main problem with immigrants is that many Maltese do not know if these people come to our country because they really need help. For all we know, they can be criminals who fled their country. Of course there are also genuine ones who risk their lives to seek a better future for themselves and their children, but they can be a financial burden for the Maltese tax payers, considering the amount of immigrants in proportion. It is always a good deed to help people who are in need but are we ready to pay the price?


Carmen Darmanin
A ge : 46
Occupation : Housewife

As a small island we don't have the facilities to accommodate all the illegal immigrants, although Malta tries its best by providing food, lodgings, medicine and even money. It is heart-breaking to see all these human beings suffering and it's a shame they are being treated shabbily by certain people, who also exploit them when it comes to casual jobs, paid with a pittance.


Michelle Mifsud
Age : 35
Occupation : Housewife

I think that for Malta this is a problem because we are small and we do not have resources. But immigrants come from very harsh environments. I think that as Christians we should not discriminate against Blacks because this would mean racism and is bad. I think immigrants deserve to live in a better world.


Alison Borg
Age : 28
Occupation : Primary School Teacher

As Maltese citizens we should not make Malta strictly ours, These immigrants need help and they should be helped. As Roman Catholics we should offer this help. However Malta is too small and we are in serious danger of becoming over-populated. This issue presents contradiction due to our small size but we should get help from larger countries to offer help. A partnership with larger countries might be a solution.


J oan Muscat
Age : 45
Occupation : Prison Warden

If I were one of these illegal immigrants would want help and not be treated as if I didn't exist. Even animals are worthy of compassion and assistance, let alone human beings. I really wish immigrants to be given the opportunity to integrate in society.

© 2008 - The Drama Centre Malta , All rights reserved.