A FASCINATION WITH THE VERTICAL

ASK THE AVERAGE MALTESE PERSON WHETHER MALTA IS A GOOD PLACE FOR THE ADVENTURE SPORT OF CLIMBING AND THEIR ANSWER IS LIKELY TO BE SOMETHING ON THE LINES OF “WHAT, CLIMBING IN MALTA…BUT WE HAVE NO MOUNTAINS!”

Of course, that is true: the highest point on the islands is 253m above sea level and there is nothing remotely resembling a mountain, save for the little hillock on Gozo where a statue of the Redentur (Christ the Redeemer) gives a vague, diminutive impression of Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. Yet rock climbing is a rapidly growing adventure sport here and, despite our dearth of mountains, we have endless kilometres of vertical and overhanging cliffs all round our coastline, with others cutting into the deep valleys and fault lines that criss-cross all three islands of the archipelago.

The local rock climbing community is an eclectic band of passionate men and women devoted to their chosen adrenaline sport in a way that is hard for non-climbers to understand. They practice their sport obsessively, venturing onto the cliffs at least once, often multiple times a week, promiscuously arranging partners with whom to climb, whether long-standing friends or complete strangers, the only criterion for acceptance being their ability to keep a climbing partner safe through their rope handling skills, and the all-important grade at which they climb. It is an outstanding feature of the sport that lifelong friendships can be forged in minutes, usually in the heat of self-induced crisis as the lead climber (the one going first up the cliff) pushes their limits of strength and endurance well beyond the vertical, with only a 9mm rope and an attentive belayer (rope buddy) standing between them and certain catastrophe!

Rock climbing has been practiced in Malta since time immemorial, and that is no exaggeration. You can still find individuals – though these are now few – who will descend a 100m sea-cliff using hemp ropes and zero additional safety gear, to spend a night sitting at the foot of the cliff to fish for that mythical monster catch. More deliberately, but with an equal zest for adventure, the first official records of rock climbs in Malta were kept and published by a group of six British climbers – among them a woman named Bronwen – who explored, climbed and recorded 36 rock climbs on various cliffs around the islands, to produce the first guidebook to climbing in Malta, published in 1949. Since then, another four guidebooks have been published, each recording an exponentially higher number of climbs. Today, there are in excess of 2000 recorded rock climbs on our islands. Through the passionate efforts of a dedicated band of both local and foreign climbers who have made Malta their home, the number, quality and diversity of established climbs has risen steadily and today, Malta really is a climber’s paradise with a vibrant local community and a stream of visitors from overseas, from beginners to celebrity climbers, including some of the world’s best, in particular a visit by Tommy Caldwell (of Dawn Wall fame) and Sonnie Trotter back in 2012 when they discovered and climbed a number of routes including an attempt at one of the hardest roof climbs in the world!

The development of new sport climbs (routes protected by small permanent anchors inserted along the line of ascent) has been greatly assisted by a symbiotic relationship developed betwee n the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) and the Malta Rock Climbing Club (MRCC) starting in 2005 and which is still going strong today. With the MTA’s financial support, the voluntary manpower and expertise provided first by the MRCC, and now with the MCC also brought into the effort, the local community is able to develop safe rock climbs; even in the highly corrosive environment of our sea cliffs' by the use of titanium bolts. Malta has achieved safety levels that are among the best in the world. The negligible accident rate of the local scene is a direct result of this cooper ation.

Despite all the hyperbole, rock climbing in Malta is an eminently accessible adventure sport. The local community is incredibly welcoming to both newbies to the sport and to foreigner climbers visiting to explore our cliffs. The two very active climbing clubs (MRCC & MCC) regularly organise climbing sessions which anyone can attend to get a first taste of Maltese rock. Some of the most popular crags almost always have a climbing party working away on their next goal (usually a grade of climb just a little harder than their last climb). It is easy to get chatting and, before long, find yourself sharing a rope with someone you've met. There is a professional guiding company (MC Adventure) that will lead climbers, whether beginners or hardcore pros, onto the best climbs within their grades, or to experience something new and unknown at home; such as a climb on an exposed sea cliff above the azure waters that surround our islands. There is even an indoor bouldering gym for those rare rainy days, where you can work on your technique and fitness before facing the rocks on your next outdoors challenge of choice.

FANCY DOING SOME ROCK CLIMBING YOURSELF?

All you need is a head for heights and a safe, reliable climbing buddy to lead you onto the vertical…and some gear. Here are some leads to get you there:

MALTA ROCK CLIMBING CLUB www.climbmalta.com www.facebook.com/groups/MaltaRockClimbingClub

Tel +356 9947 0377

MALTA CLIMBING CLUB maltaclimbingclub.org www.facebook.com/maltaclimbingclub

MC ADVENTURE PROFESSIONAL GUIDES www.mcadventure.com.mt www.facebook.com/mcadventuremalta events@mcadventure.com.mt

Tel +356 77514963

ĠEBLA INDOOR BOULDERING GYM www.gebla.mt

SPRING IS UPON US, AND THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CALENDAR CONTINUES WITH GUSTO! PERUSE OUR TOP PICKS FOR THIS MONTH'S DIARY.

Events

FREE SPIRIT #2 - EXHIBITION BY MARIA CASSAR

VENUE:

Art Galleries, Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta

DATE:

2nd - 30th March 2023

ONLINE: www.artsmalta.org/events

Artist Maria Cassar is using her ‘intuition’, ‘freedom’, and ‘imagination’ to look further away from what she can physically see and enunciates intangible emotions onto the canvas. The works reveal a continuous dialogue between light and shade, void and presence. The exhibition will feature a range of abstract works showcasing the artist’s fascination with colour. In her own words: ‘Colour represents and emits light in all its glory’.

CHECK OUT THESE EVENTS HAPPENING IN MALTA THE NEXT FEW MONTHS!

APRIL 14 - 4 MAY

OUTSET

Art Galleries, Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. An exhibition by neo artists Massimo Dimech and Steve Sciberras showcasing a selection of oils depicting Maltese landscapes, flora, fauna and nature scenes.

APRIL 12

MALTA SPRING FESTIVAL

Concert Hall, Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. Concert featuring the Parkins, Houtkamp, Ligeti Trio.

THROUGHOUT MAY

CITY OF ART

Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. A series of events including an exhibition, a fashion show, and a salon recital, among others.

MAY 9

PHILIP ATTARD SAXOPHONE CONCERT

Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. A concert forming part of MSA’s 100 years at Palazzo de La Salle celebrations.

TOSCA

VENUE:

Teatru Manoel, Valletta

DATE:

5th - 12th March 2023

ONLINE: www.teatrumanoel.mt

Teatru Manoel and Valletta Cultural Agency present Tosca by Giacomo Puccini, designed & directed by and featuring José Cura, with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mario de Rose, and with costumes designed by Silvia Collazuol. The cast features acclaimed soprano Tanya Ivanova as Tosca, Carlos Almaguer as Scarpia and local performers Alan Sciberras, Albert Buttigieg, Louis Cassar and Nadia Vella. The production also features KorMalta under the direction of Choir Master Riccardo Bianchi.

TOI TOI KIDS: EASTER FAMILY SHOW

VENUE:

Teatru Manoel, Valletta

DATE:

9th April 2023

TOI TOI bring their annual Easter show to you from the Main Stage of our beautiful National Theatre!

Wonderland Wives

VENUE:

MADC Playhouse, Sta Venera

DATE:

21st - 30th April 2023

A hilarious take on the lives of fairy tale favourites including Cinderella, Prince Charming, Snow White and Belle, Wonderland Wives by Buddy Thomas, brings an arched brow and an eye for dark, sexy hilarity to the Ever After that keeps going long after the Happily fades away. Directed by Francesca Briffa.

Chair

VENUE:

Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

DATE:

21st - 30th April 2023

Adrian Buckle and the Malta School for Drama and Dance present Edward Bond’s Chair, a trip to an apocalyptic future; one where family means nothing and people are divested of their humanity. It is a future where humanity becomes a product and life becomes a new version of Auschwitz. And what difference can a chair make in such a Future?

TM YOUTH THEATRE: SIN CIRCUS

VENUE:

Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre, Valletta

DATE:

22nd April 2023

The Teatru Manoel Youth Training Programme presents their collaborative, devised production featuring all three training groups (Theatre, Opera & Dance).

Emoji

VENUE:

Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre, Valletta

DATE:

29th - 30th April 2023

Emoji takes an artistic approach through combining projected digital animation and dance to promote social and emotional learning in primary school children.www.teatrumanoel.mt

WOMEN'S DAY CONCERT BY VOX DULCIS CHORALE

VENUE:

Concert Hall, Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta

DATE: 10th March 2023

ONLINE: www.artsmalta.org/events

Concert Hall, Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta Vox Dulcis Chorale, a young ladies’ choir, are performing a selection of jazz standards, ethnic and contemporary songs for the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Private Lives

VENUE:

Teatru Manoel, Valletta

DATE: 17th - 26th March 2023

ONLINE: www.teatrumanoel.mt

Teatru Manoel & MADC present Noël Coward’s brilliant comedy PRIVATE LIVES, directed by Malcolm Galea and featuring Edward Thorpe, Greta Agius, Myron Ellul, Kim Dalli and Giulia Gatt. Passion, laughter, romance, anger, and love set the stage for a battle of the sexes as divorced couple Amanda and Elyot find themselves unwittingly thrown together in Coward’s classic comedy of manners. Unknowingly booking adjoining rooms while on honeymoon with their respective spouses, Victor and Sybil, Amanda and Elyot are forced to face their true feelings for each other.