GIVING CHILDREN EXPOSURE TO ARTS AND CULTURE 2»
SAFEGUARDING THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN 8&9»
PROGRAMMED FOR KIDS DANIEL AZZOPARDI 4&5»
THEATRE TESTS OUR LEVELS OF EMPATHY THERESE COMODINI CACHIA 10»
A DIFFERENT KIND OF SCHOOL SIMONE ATTARD 6»
NURTURING THE AUDIENCES OF TOMORROW ANNABELLE STIVALA 13»
THE POWER OF PERFORMING ARTS IN CHILDHOOD DANAE GINGELL 14» MALTA’S BIGGEST NAMES IN PERFORMING ARTS ALAN MONTANARO, EDWARD MERCIECA & ANTHONY BEZZINA 15»
2
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
Giving children exposure to arts and culture M alta is investing millions of euros every year to ensure that Maltese artists can express their creativity and versatility in all forms of art. But what do Maltese artists need besides funds, opportunities and the right environment? They need an audience that appreciates their work of art. In 2016, the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government launched the Culture Pass, an initiative meant for students attending secondary schools. Over 6,800 students benefited from this programme. Last year, the Culture Pass was extended to kindergarten and primary school children. The number of beneficiaries was overwhelming, as more than 28,000 attended one of the events. The Culture Pass has several objectives. It supports educational growth because the emphasis is to relate productions with the school curriculum. Thus, the engagement in cultural and artistic activities
complement the learning outcomes of the National Curriculum and add value to cultural education and other curricular subjects. As a result, the lesson becomes different and creative and promotes culture and the arts as relevant, entertaining, fulfilling, challenging and exciting. These are not the only objectives. The Culture Pass has become another opportunity to incentivise cultural producers to produce new productions and artistic activities devised specifically for children and young people. In fact, numbers speak louder. While last year, 33 productions formed part of the Culture Pass, there were 74 productions submitted for this year programme, more than half of these were new productions. The producers range from those who are veteran to talented new artists to public cultural organisations, such as the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Teatru Malta and ŻfinMalta. The sum of this is to create new audiences across different genres and styles.
The productions included for this year’s programme vary and represent all forms of art: dance, theatre, music, visual arts, literature, film and heritage. The themes vary widely and touch even challenging themes such as globalisation, multiculturalism, diversity, domestic violence and human rights. A wide range of productions deal with environmental issues. There are also productions that revolve around the traditional themes, such as the influence of mass media, occupational health and safety, work ethics, bullying, the human system, science, symbol literacy and film appreciation. Workshops and educational resources for teachers and students are also an essential element of these productions. A theme, which will be explored for the first time in the Culture Pass programme, is Maltese poetry through Maltese folk singing (gћana). Early next year, Malta is expected to submit the second application to Unesco to inscribe Maltese folk singing on the humanity list of intangible cultural heritage. The Culture Directorate takes the opportunity of the Culture Pass programme to promote our intangible cultural heritage with school children and gћana in particular.
The Culture Pass programme is expected to be very successful during this scholastic year. To ensure this success, schools are encouraged to nominate a teacher on a voluntary basis to act as a cultural ambassador within the school. The experience gained last year has shown that the role of these teachers was a key factor in the success of the programme. This year, the response from schools to nominate the cultural ambassador was overwhelming, confirming that schools are finding the Culture Pass a valuable experience in a win-win scenario. Culture Pass will be officially launched tomorrow and schools may start booking the productions immediately from www.culturepassmalta.com. Events may take place at the school or outside the school. Schools are at liberty to choose any production and most productions are available throughout the year; with some having specific dates. Each production indicates which audience is suitable to attend. In those cases where further information is required, schools are urged to contact the Culture Directorate on culturepass.mjcl@gov.mt or by phoning on 2567 4211.
4
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
PROGRAMMED FOR KIDS
Maltese schools need a DANIEL AZZOPARDI reflects on his eight-year involvement with ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children and Young People, the last four as director. Dayna Clarke writes Play - ŻiguŻajg 2016
he performing arts and creative arts in general not only provide opportunities for students to develop artistic passions but also teach communication, language and leadership in unique ways that inspire creative-thinking, personal empowerment and social ethics. Vital skills, which local schools are currently lacking, since the arts are not an integral part of the educational curriculum. The Malta Independent spoke to Daniel Azzopardi, to discuss the importance of the arts,
T
and his time as the festival director as he heads into his last season at the helm. Over the last eight years, there’s no question Daniel has played an integral role in elevating the success of the ŻiguŻajg to an international level, attracting artists and delegates from across the globe. Along with his evergrowing team, the festival reaches over 20,000 attendees a year. Daniel has even had children from his early career come back as
White - ŻiguŻajg 2018
young adults and thank him for the positive influence of the festival. “People couldn’t comprehend why we would want to take on the challenge of producing an international children’s festival consisting of professional productions in Malta; they just didn’t see the point back then. Fortunately, awareness has developed immeasurably during my time in this post, both thanks to teachers who champion the arts and cultural leaders who push the importance of this national agenda, though I still feel we have a long way to go yet. It does make me sad that the arts aren’t at the
core of the national curriculum. Regrettably, arts are something that always gets pushed to the bottom. Even when we have managed to get into schools, we still face a lot of misconceptions that the subject takes the space of more traditional studies. Throughout my academic studies and experience, I have seen first-hand the incredible difference arts and creativity makes.” It’s no big secret that getting kids involved in the arts and performance, in this case, can have significant payoffs in school. After all, research shows that children who sing/dance/act/play their little hearts out are four times more likely to be recognised for academic achievement compared with their nonperforming friends. On top of this, they tend to have enhanced cognitive motor and social development skills
Play Ground - ŻiguŻajg 2018
to boot. But the benefits don’t end there. Daniel explains. “Participating in arts programmes help students develop a stronger sense of individualism, diverse way of thinking, self-reflection and self-esteem. Participating in these activities helps them learn to commit to a task; prepare themselves emotionally, physically and mentally and work toward the goals of mastering and sharing their skills.” The fruits of theatre aren’t just for the “here and now” either. While not all students involved with the arts may plan to pursue them professionally, Daniel states that “participating in arts programmes can help them develop skills that are a growing necessity in the 21st century workplace. Participation in the arts inspires greater creativity, an
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
5
Photo by Alenka Falzon
arts
increasingly valued skill in work environments – working with others as part of a creative endeavour can create stronger communication and teamwork.” Daniel’s dedication to the cause of raising the importance of children’s arts is something that should be deeply acknowledged and admired. ŻiguŻajg is now one of the most respected children’s festivals on a global stage. The event features a great blend of some of the most iconic characters in the history of children’s stories to introducing new inspiring heroes; the programme promises an encompassing
experience, says Daniel. The festival offers a mix of film, puppetry, music, contemporary circus, visual arts, theatre and other multisensory experiences aimed at audiences from babies to teenagers. The annual event is a first of its kind in Malta to create such a legacy. “The core nature of the festival is about this kind of wonderful inclusion,” Daniel explains. “There’s definitely very calculated curating and programming, but it’s also bringing so many different kinds of creative forms together.” The aim is diversity and inclusion. What’s been paramount to our success is
the fact we have involved children throughout the whole process. In our focus groups, they consult with us on everything artistic, from themes to be addressed to what they want to see. We take notice and listen – something us adults should all do more often!” Is Daniel sad to be stepping down from a role he has shaped so eloquently? “Of course, the festival has been a huge part of my life for a very long time, I have really given it my all – but as with any creative entrepreneur, we must move on, so we don’t become stagnant.” Home - ŻiguŻajg 2019
Larinģa Mekkanika - ŻiguŻajg 2019
Silly by Matthew Pandolfino – ŻiguŻajg 2016
6
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
A different kind of school he school aims to develop critical thinking, aesthetic knowledge and understanding of art practices, through observing, researching and responding. All helps to instil selfconfidence. A balance is struck between the academic side and the art side. This includes good time management, setting high standards for oneself, the importance of thinking about other people’s tastes, persevering even when there are difficult moments, concentrating on one’s work, keeping calm and ensuring the show goes on and multitasking, sticking to deadlines, analysing mistakes and trying to correct them and learning how to deal with constructive criticism. The MVPA believes the more difficult the task, the greater the satisfaction gained from mastering it. The environment is based on working with, respecting, and trusting others. Through the arts one can make many contacts and friends – in fact the arts are a language in themselves, where people are understood universally. The school has a multidisciplinary approach and continually strives to integrate academic subjects. Being able to combine the academic subjects with the performing arts is such a great experience for our students. Learning poetry and literature, through art forms such as music, dance, media and drama, is much more fruitful than just memorising something for a short time. If fractions were taught through music, it would be much easier and more meaningful. The same could be said when music is integrated with physics for certain topics (sound, movement), or art
T
The Malta Visual and Performing Arts school (MVPA) is an educational institution for students who would like to further their studies in art, drama, media, music and dance. It has an intake of 48 annually. It was established three years ago and is already highly regarded an effective secondary school which excels in nurturing students’ academic, social and creative potential. Simone Attard , Head of School of the Malta Visual and Performing Arts, writes
(spectrum) or dance (gravity). History is such a lovely experience when reference is made to different schools of painters, musicians and dance practices which have been influential through the years. Learning languages through music could be so helpful, especially as languages are not so popular as in my day. These are just examples of how academic subjects can become more appealing when linked with the performing arts. Students have been involved in various productions such as those with ŻfinMalta and Trikkitrakki. This year the MVPA has been asked to take part in the National Christmas Mass, at St John’s CoCathedral, for which students from all five performing arts will participate, as well as for a Kreattiv Project together with ŻfinMalta. The students will also have various workshops in the near future, one towards the end of this month involving members of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Other speakers will work with the other four performing art forms. MVPA students have also been selected to participate in a
song writing competition which has been organised by St Benedict’s College. As from this year, besides singing the Maltese National Anthem, all the music students will be placed in different chamber groups. The school not only celebrates the performing arts, but also celebrates every piece of academic work, done either on an individual basis or as a team. These are recorded through photos and videos. Students are encouraged to attend concerts in our theatres, for which they can use the Culture Card, and take the opportunity to visit theatres and churches during Notte Bianca and other special days. The courses offered by the school are carefully built on practice. Thus, apart from their personal and social development as engaged citizens, students are being equipped to acquire further life-long skills and be geared towards employability. They are provided with the necessary knowledge, expertise and attitudes that can help them find employment later on, maybe even professionally, as actors for stage and camera work, dancers, painters and
sculptors, musicians and digital artists. Each art form focuses on its practices, terminology and unique ways of looking at the world. The school is geared to operate on a dual pathway system, meaning that apart from artistic possibilities, students also have the option to pursue a career in fields away from the arts. As most of our students have experienced, being able to combine schooling as we know it together with the performing arts is not easy, however if they experience this kind of life from a very early age all becomes natural to them. When one is into a performing art form, this helps him/her to concentrate on more important things in life, keeping him/her away from modern temptations, such as continuous use of a mobile and other technological devices, undesirable friendships and bad influences. There are sacrifices involved, but it will be worth it in the end. A career revolving around the performing arts, besides giving one great satisfaction, means achieving that special feeling of excitement, fulfilment and pleasure which comes from touching the hearts of others.
8
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
The wishing tree – Żigużajg
Safeguarding the environment How often does one think whether his choices harm or benefit the environment? By now we all know that choosing to use a disposable plastic cup is not a sensible choice for the environment. But does it ever cross your mind that other choices you take actually do weigh on our environment and in turn influence our quality of life? One such choice, for example, is the apparently innocuous decision to release exotic pets, like snakes or squirrels from their confined quarters. Some of these pets are very resilient or are adapted to thrive in overseas climates such as ours, so when released, they literally invade our natural or urban areas by multiplying rapidly, at times even outcompeting our naturally-occurring wildlife. There is no doubt about it, your choices as a Citizen are imperative driving forces of a quality environment and ultimately, our wellbeing. he Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is fully aware of this link, and systematically aims its actions to positively influence choices. It is with this concept in mind that the Authority is investing in various citizen engagement projects, combining arts, science and technology to inform the general public of issues around us, and show how they can assist and combine forces to safeguard the environment and ensure a sustainable approach towards
T
a better quality of life. One such initiative is ERA’s collaboration with the Żigużajg festival, which for the second year running, is utilising the arts as a means to engage children in the environmental sciences. Citizen engagement is very much in line with the ERA’s philosophy as the national regulator on the environment. ERA kickstarted this collaboration by exhibiting the winning posters of the children’s competition Air Quality: Our Environment & Our Role which focused on
the environmental science behind the air we breathe and the community’s role to minimise air pollution. This year, we informed the ‘adults of the future’ of the link between their choices and the state of the environment and furthermore, immersed them hands-on in the monitoring techniques ERA already uses. The environmental media tackled by the 2019 festival included both air and water. The latter will be seeing the Wonder Waters installation on the value of water. Children taking part in the festival will
also be joining artist Alessio de Girolamo to create a huge temporary artwork which focuses on the importance of water in our lives and include workshops and performances led by the artist on the subject. In the case of air quality, children themselves were informed and involved in helping ERA monitor the air quality. This experiment has been very successful and served as a good opportunity for students, parents and teachers alike to recognize that their daily decisions, especially those concerning travel, affect the quality of the environment around them. ERA also designed an interactive installation to show how air quality varies around Malta, and the public, especially children were invited to engross themselves in this game during various festivals, such as the Valletta Green Festival and Science in the City. This 4x4m interactive floor projection experience was designed to target children specifically, and features aspects such as the main sources of air pollution, how air quality is monitored, the health effects of air pollution and the actions citizens can take to reduce
Credit: Socientize
their impacts on air quality. ERA is exploring how to continue extending the reach of this software to the younger generation in the coming years. Citizen engagement is also seen as a way for contributing to a better environment, and recent developments in technology enabled us to capitalise on such a combination. Topics in line for this treatment include the impacts of invasive alien species – an issue of global concern, but particularly worrying in Malta, as an island state. Alien species are
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
essentially species which are not naturally found in Malta, but are introduced by humans. These may have severe impacts on the environment, agriculture, fisheries and landscape, with some notable examples being alien insects attacking palms, like the palm weevil or causing diseases in agriculture and wild plants and animals, like the recent disease killing off all noble pen-shells (in-nakkra) in Malta or the diseases caused by alien species which have affected honey bees, tomatoes and selected fruit trees. Various initiatives were carried out to map the location of invasive species like the crimson fountain grass (il-penniżetum, il-pjuma) and the freshwater crayfish (ic-ckal tal-ilma), which have become a menace. ERA’s map showing their distribution in the Maltese Islands forms a solid foundation for the next steps of eradication or control initiatives. The latter are again being conducted through a collaborative approach, so as to enable the citizens themselves to partake in our shared mission of safeguarding our environment. In fact, the success of this initiative was all thanks to the contributions of interested persons who submitted the locations of these invasive species through digital means. Indeed, ERA and the Plant Protection Directorate have developed an app through which one can find out more on these species and report their locations and/or photos wherever encountered. Similar exercises are also addressing issues linked with alien fish, through the Spot the Alien Fish initiative of the University of Malta. Modern technology also assists in increasing
9
Credit: UKEOF
awareness and providing information – the Spot the Jellyfish process (setup by the University of Malta) enabled users to understand which jellyfish can sting and at the same time provide information for remedies in relation to noxious jellyfish, but also led to showcase the variety of jellyfish species in Malta. Similar work was carried out in the last two years, by ERA with divers, who are assisting us in mapping rare and endangered species, as well as in collecting marine litter from our sea. Snorkelers and divers as well as beach users are considered very important stakeholders in reducing marine litter and the use of single use plastics, such as by replacing the single use plastic utensils with reusable ones of in different materials instead of plastic ones. Coordination is definitely a key ingredient in other actions the Authority undertakes, such as the management of protected species and protected areas. For example, ERA has established an agreement with Nature Trust Malta, a national environmental NGO, on the rehabilitation and reintroduction of protected species, both terrestrial and marine, including hedgehogs, bats, turtles, dolphins, whales, reptiles and other protected animals. ERA covers the costs for raising awareness, medicinals, veterinary services and rehabilitation. Rehabilitated animals are then
released back into the environment. This led to successful releases of many protected species – such as the success story on marine turtles, which in recent years have increased in number and have now also returned to our sandy beaches to lay their eggs in the summer months. Specific events are also carried out to entice and attract people and families to nature-related events, including nature walks to protected areas by ERA officials, who pepper the walk with interactive games, and the organisation of other events like bat nights to see and hear these elusive night creatures, and boat tours, through which one can see the impressive Maltese cliffs and boulders from the sea, as well as our marine wildlife. Similar coordination exists for the management of Natura 2000 sites: a network of protected areas which are core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species and some rare natural habitat types which are protected in their own right. Nowadays, all Natura 2000 sites are being managed thanks to collaboration with civil society – including environmental NGOs under ERA’s supervision. Such a way of thinking is reaping tangible results, as witnessed by the case of Gћadira s-Safra. The site has expanded in size through the inland relocation of the Coast Road and the rehabilitation of the road, which was made redundant
due to these works. As a result, the buffer area between the highly trafficked road and the important Mediterranean temporary pool has increased. In total, Gћadira sSafra has expanded by approximately 40% and 4,300 cubic meters of soil were added and many native trees and plants were also planted in the area. ERA, together with Ambjent Malta, also saw to the removal of 8.5 tons of invasive alien species from the area, to promote the growth of indigenous plant life. The site also serves as the new home for a number of successfully transplanted trees. In this respect, ERA has also contributed to an app on Maltese Fauna and Flora which also provides information on Malta’s Natura 2000 sites, in both Maltese and English. Noting the success and feedback received from such initiatives, ERA is now looking at how to continue improving the environment in a manner that contributes to wellbeing. For this purpose, ERA strives to maintain an open channel with the public so as to provide environmental information and promote and instil sound environmental management. ERA is now updating its webpage to provide a more modern look with more easily accessible information, which will be provided in both Maltese and English. We are also improving the ways in which citizens can communicate with us, and various updates to our current
citizen access systems are being devised, to enable an easier access to environmental information, including new systems on protected areas and air quality information, as well as customer care and permitting facilities. ERA also provides a dedicated system for environmental queries and complaints, which can be referred to info@era.org.mt. ERA takes great pride in addressing citizen’s environmental communication and aims to provide a reply to these communications from the public in a transparent and efficient manner, and well within the legal 30 day timeframe stipulated by legislation on the access to environmental information. More than 1,400 queries were addressed through this system during 2018 and during the first half of 2019 more than 900 communications from the public were addressed in the same manner. ERA believes that citizens can make a direct contribution to environmental protection and management. It is impressive to see first-hand the high quality data that is collected by volunteers, and to witness the process of engaging people in understanding how their contributions assist and shape the future of this country. These initiatives not only enable a better understanding on how our daily choices impact the very world we live in, but offer opportunities of personally transformative experiences.
10
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
Theatre tests our levels of empathy C Culture and theatre are big words for kids but I know some kids who really excel in their appreciation of exactly what those two very big words mean. Therese Comodini Cachia writes
Dr Comodini Cachia is the PN Spokesperson for Culture & Media
ulture and theatre for kids is all about colours, costumes, words, actions, emotions, expressions, discussion and imagination. And this is something I find kids simply love to enjoy. They are fascinated by the experience that fosters their imagination and deepens their understanding or questioning of what is around us, who we are and what we can be. I never forget my own fascination with theatre, museums and social gatherings when I was a child. Each experience introduced me to something new or indeed held answers to some of my questions. Would your children believe you if you told them that hippos or small-sized elephants lived in their very own country? Would they believe you if you told them that even in Malta “we” used to paint on walls, offer sacrifices to the gods, had elaborate underground caves, performed rituals underground? Would they believe you if you told them that “we” have buildings that are older than the pyramids? Well they don’t need to believe your words, but they can certainly feel the dampness at Ghar Dalam Cave and imagine the hippos and elephants living by that cave. They can see the paintings on the wall and can feel the darkness in the underground structure at the Hypogeum or the Catacombs. All this helps them understand not mere scientific or historic facts, but gives them a sense of history that encompasses the past and their present. The theatre is a swell of a time – in just one or two hours sitting there you will feel
CULTURE IS OF COURSE MORE THAN JUST THE THEATRE, MUSEUMS, CINEMA, EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER PERFORMANCES. IT IS REALLY THE WAY WE ARE, WE LIVE AND GROW TOGETHER AS INDIVIDUALS WITHIN A COMMUNITY.
intertwined with the story being told on stage, the costumes travelling back or forth in time, the singing, the facial expression, the emotions expressed by the actors. Two hours forgetting everything around you and focusing on only that which is developing within the theatre. Even when I simply could not understand what the performance was all about, it was still fascinating for me as a child to sit amid others enchanted with the performance, all dressed up for the occasion, surrounded by a sense of a community sharing an experience, having a laugh together or shedding a tear. There is one thing I always feel the theatre and the cinema manages to do really well – it tests our levels of empathy. How can you fully experience a story if you cannot feel the emotions being expressed? Culture is of course more than just the
theatre, museums, cinema, exhibitions and other performances. It is really the way we are, we live and grow together as individuals within a community. It is also about how we react to what happens around us, and how we do that as individuals but also how we come together to act together. To me, culture includes the environment in all its aspects. It includes how we look at and shape our physical environment, how we design our space but also how we use it and what we make out of it. Culture therefore includes seeking children’s opinion on issues which affect their environment. Culture is also more than mere entertainment. What irritates us may also be part of a culture which exists in our community and we all need to learn how to react and respond to this. It is part of a culture to understand that we are all equal in dignity and consequently deserve the same level of respect irrespective of the country in which we were born. It is part of a culture to understand the need to protect diversity, equality, freedom of expression and freedom to be oneself within a community. By no means can I claim that I have gained full or indeed correct understanding of all this, but participating in cultural events has certainly given me a small view into the world of others, a world or life that is different from my own but in which we still share some similarities. Participation in cultural events is a strong and fun way of helping children develop their own personality and ways while introducing them to other personalities, life experiences as well as provide them with a sense of community.
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
13
Nurturing the audiences of tomorrow The arts and culture are known to be a very positive influence on children. In this interview with Jo Caruana, Festivals Malta Director ANNABELLE STIVALA talks through the various efforts being made to bring cultural awareness to the children of today – and thus the audiences of tomorrow. t is a fact that most children respond brilliantly to the arts. They love the colour, the fun, and the vibrancy, and they relish the chance to let their imaginations run wild through fantasy or storytelling. This is something that Annabelle Stivala, Director at Festivals Malta, is only too aware of, and she and her team are steadfastly focused on doing what they can to make their many events as accessible to children as possible. “We absolutely love creating content especially for our younger audience members,” Stivala says. “And we have had a brilliant response from them.” Festivals Malta is responsible for no less than 180 events over the year within Carnival, Għanafest, the Malta International Arts Festival, the Malta Jazz Festival, RocknMalta, Notte Bianca and the Three Palaces Festival. Pleasingly, the organisation has managed to find ways to craft targeted content for younger audiences across most of these events and is continuing to integrate more. “We have had a lot of fun developing the sort of thing children and teenagers are particularly drawn to,” continues Ms Stivala, adding that the annual Carnival naturally attracts younger revellers from Malta and beyond. “For instance, at Għanafest we host a number of interactive activities that focus on our cultural heritage, such as traditional games, local literature, and Maltese crafts. At the Malta International Arts Festival, on the other hand, we were proud to feature ‘Berberio’ – an award-winning children’s performance about the musical language of Italian avant-garde composer Luciano Berio. It was very well received by younger viewers!”
I
Annabelle Stivala. Photo by Clayton Saliba.jpg
And there has been so much more. At the Malta Jazz Festival, Festivals Malta held Master Classes for young enthusiasts with the international artists who were performing here, giving them the time and space to learn and interact with them. For Notte Bianca, there was a whole route dedicated to
children, featuring a jam-packed programme with everything from music and comedy, to magic, clowning and drama. “The on-going Three Palaces Festival features a Maltese opera commissioned especially for children, based on the book ‘il-Qtates ta’ max-Xatt’ by Clare Azzopardi. It was commissioned in 2018 and will be touring schools for the next two years, giving all primary school children the chance to experience operatic music in their native tongue,” Stivala continues. This year, for the Three Palaces Festival, Festivals Malta is also presenting ‘Congregation at Mdina’, an outdoor, immersive, sound art theatre project that is suitable for all the family. Families are being encouraged to participate in this event. Those taking part will be guided by a sonic sphere to a secret location in Mdina, where approximately 60 spheres will eventually ‘congregate’ to generate an electronic musical composition with the participants being the orchestral players holding the choir of sonic spheres. Much is planned for the future too, and Festivals Malta intends to keep engaging with schools and communities on all levels to encourage participation in the arts. “We will be investing in our younger audiences more and more, as well as in other sectors of society, such as the immigrant population, which is very high on our agenda. It is so exciting to bring new audiences into the arts – to be entertaining them today, and building a loyal following for tomorrow,” Stivala adds. For more information about Festivals Malta, visit festivals.mt
14
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
The power of performing arts in childhood As children grow, they develop a set of skills which contribute to their journey into adolescence and adulthood. These skills may include problem-solving, spatial reasoning and independent living skills, to name a few. Of equal importance are skills which contribute to a child's emotional intelligence and mental well-being, the sort of skills they may not find between the pages of a book. Clinical psychologist Danae Gingell writes
The importance of play One of the essential aspects of a child’s development is the development of play. Mildred Parten (1932) researched the typical stages of social play in children aged two to five. She found an association between the social skills a child displays as a reflection of the way they play. Parten outlined six stages: unoccupied play, solitary play, onlooker play, parallel play, associative play and cooperative play. A child moves from sitting still and exploring their immediate surroundings to playing by themselves without the need for other children. After that, they start to observe other children around them and move into a stage where they play next to one another but not necessarily engage in play together. Following this, children start to become more interested in others, and play develops into turn-taking, sharing and more cooperative efforts between children. The importance of play on child development has been well documented as having benefits for developing social skills, imagination and creativity. So, if play is so essential, how can we ensure that it continues to feature in children’s lives? The impact of performing arts The world of performing arts includes acting, singing, dance, opera, theatre, magic and illusion, public speaking and recitation, to name a few. The performing arts platform plays a very significant role in the development of creative skills as well as teaching communication skills and helping children learn to perform with confidence. By providing a space where children can express themselves in a way which highlights their talents, the performing arts arena is full of opportunities to continue enhancing and developing those fundamental play skills. Creativity and imagination are absolutely essential in a child’s life – the ability to build a complex structure with blocks or designing an elaborate fort to hide from mum and dad requires a good
AS CHILDREN GROW, THEY MAY ALSO SUCCUMB TO DIFFICULTIES WITH SELF-ESTEEM, SELFIMAGE AND CONFIDENCE. dose of imagination and creativity. Performing arts teach and encourage children how to think differently. The ability to come up with original concepts are essential skills for storytelling, essaywriting, project ideas and eventually, innovative business ideas. Performing arts also help with the development of communication skills by exposing children to new vocabulary, by teaching them about social cues like waiting for their turn to talk and emphasising the importance of voice projection and clarity of speech. Communication is also the ability to use non-verbal skills and the world of dance, music and acting all allow a child to express him or herself without the use of words. Being part of the performing arts world means joining in with other children who follow the same principles and together, a safe space can be created to provide a secure base for those who need it. There is a spirit of camaraderie, integrity, coordination and unity when children join together for a performance. There is also evidence to suggest that the performing arts contribute to the development of memory skills – learning scripts, following musical pieces and remembering dance choreographies requires sustained mental effort and good memory skills; both integral to successful child development. Emotional development starts as soon as a child is born and children are encouraged to express themselves all the time. Still, often they may find themselves
unable to verbalise what they feel because they can’t find the words. The performing arts is centred around emotional expression: in the way a dance piece is performed or in the highs and lows of a musical accompaniment. The act of performing one of these arts also allows a child to express his or her emotions constructively, without judgement. As children grow, they may also succumb to difficulties with self-esteem, self-image and confidence. The performing arts allow children opportunities to get in touch with who they are, what makes them who they are and helps them find the best ways to express who they are. Goldstein and Therrien (2019) have discussed the emerging, though limited research, which looks at the importance and effectiveness of performing arts (specifically theatre-based activities) to teach skills like emotion recognition and expression, eye contact, conversation skills, listening and non-verbal behaviours and gestures in individuals with autism spectrum conditions and other developmental disabilities. These children and youths are provided with opportunities to make mistakes, form meaningful relationships and develop practical communication skills to transfer to daily life. One of the primary challenges associated with autism is the difficulty of understanding and conveying emotional expression in others. Acting involves taking on the role of someone else and mimicking how they might feel and think. It also provides a space which is structured and organised, which creates a safe space. In light of the existing literature highlighting the benefits of the performing arts on the development of children, it is clear that this platform is full of opportunities for children to develop and enhance skills in many different areas. If parents and caregivers are interested in helping their children pursue skills in these areas, performing arts may well be an option to consider.
15
10 NOVEMBER 2019 • The Malta Independent on Sunday
Development through drama THE HELEN O’GRADY ACADEMY WAY t a recent conference on the subject hosted by The Duke of Edinburgh’s International award, the very real problem of lack of social skills in the work place was discussed. It is clear that we are churning out qualified personnel who lack communication and interpersonal skills. The situation we were informed is pretty dire with employers now looking beyond just university degrees and recognising the benefits of NFE. Has this applicant done drama? Therefore he or she will likely be a good communicator and work well within a team. Have they attended developmental dance? Then, he or she will have discipline and focus. A developmental drama programme such as that created by the international Helen O’Grady Academy addresses these issues across the different ages. The dynamic curriculum has been built over the years by teachers, psychologists and experts in the field of child development to ensure that the lessons are structured in a way to boost confidence and self-esteem and eradicate the often-crippling fear of making a mistake, which is often the monkey on a student’s back, holding him back from being a full participant in the classroom and outside it. We are not a talent school and we are not in the business of turning children into performing artistes – though we do give them the tools to pursue a career in performance. We do focus on nurturing our students’ inherent creativity before it is chipped away by technology and academic pressures. We delve deep into
A
ALAN MONTANARO Education is very much in the spotlight. The many benefits of NonFormal Education (NFE) are well documented and when it comes to developmental drama as a tool to impart 21st century Life Skills, the benefits are off the chart. Alan Montanaro is the director of Helen O’Grady Academy in Malta
developing excellent communication and social skills that last a lifetime. We allow our students a safe environment to be themselves and to develop into best possible version of themselves because we believe that “creative thinkers will be the next generation of leaders”. The benefits of drama as a learning tool are clear. Studies carried out by Matt Buchanan of Harvard University show that drama reinforces the rest of the school curriculum. Since communication and empathy are central to Drama, a student will be better able to understand and discuss problems. The link between Dramatic Arts and subjects such as English, History, Social Studies and related areas is obvious. The study of literature would be impossible without Drama. One marked area of improvement,
noted by parents of children attending the Helen O’Grady Academy, was in written and spoken English. After all, a lesson learned through fun is never forgotten. And, because drama is so practical, we can apply the Aristotle’s wisdom: “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me … and I will understand.” The international Helen O’Grady Academy development programme is attended by over 100,000 students around the world. The programme is included as part of the regular time-table in select schools in India, South Africa and in the US. The programme in Malta has been pegged at EGF Level 3 (similar to an O Level) and recognised across the EU by the Directorate of Quality and Standards in Education (DQSE) and was recently awarded Best Practice.
Everyone can benefit from the performing Musical Theatre is an excellent way for arts because everyone can play! children to acquire the necessary life skills e, in the industry, keep saying this because we know it works and we see it happening before our very own eyes, before the eyes of parents, friends and relatives. I believe involvement in the performing arts at a young age is even more relevant today than it was when we started Stagecoach in Malta 21 years ago. It is more relevant precisely because of the growth of the digital world and AI. Competition is harsher today and young adults must have the tools to fight it and win. They must develop a unique selling point that will make employers, universities and other institutions choose them above others. Being involved in the performing arts from a young age will definitely help you to gain that USP, that flair, that confidence to sell yourself to the highest bidder in the jobs market, in the top universities. Interest in performing will never cease to exist because the human being likes to play – play is what makes our minds tick, play is what makes us explore new boundaries, play is what enables us to take risks. Why? Because play is play, it is in itself risk free and so we are not afraid of playing. We might be a bit shy at first if we are playing with others we don’t know but that shyness soon breaks down and we play willfully and energetically and we learn so much. You will notice that I haven’t once mentioned the theatre. The reason is that theatre is a by-product of participating in the performing arts. If someone has a natural talent to “act” then there are opportunities that can present themselves to that person that will enable her or him to perhaps pursue a career in acting or take up vocational training. These are very few. Although few can “act”, everyone can PLAY and herein lies the rub. Everyone can benefit from the performing arts because everyone can play! I cannot foresee a day when children won’t play. Can you?
W
EDWARD MERCIECA The world of performing arts offers children a wonderful avenue to develop as fully rounded human beings in a most creative way.
Edward Mercieca runs Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools
ANTHONY BEZZINA I have been working within the world of performing arts for over 30 years and I have seen just how much growth and development each individual has gone through whilst at Masquerade.
Anthony Bezzina is the Principal of Masquerade School for the Performing Arts
y taking part in a drama programme children learn much more than just about dance, drama and singing; they acquire extremely important life skills which they will take with them as they develop into adults. Performing Arts develops a child’s leadership skills and public speaking, and helps them develop a sense of ownership whilst learning how to work in a team. A student no longer feels dependent on their parents for everything, as they begin to take on challenges on their own and become more individualistic. We provide a safe environment for our students to learn, grow and develop. We also try to remove the concept of the “star” syndrome; everyone in the school plays an important role, whether they are the main character or have just one line, every single student is important. When it comes to Social Media there are two different experiences, the digital and the real. Yes, one can use both together, but theatre provides raw and real emotions and helps people express and understand different emotions which we face daily. When a student experiences disappointment in not getting the part he/she wished for, or that ‘’distinction’’ in their drama exam, it is a learning curve for them and they work harder to develop the confidence they need; the same applies with other life experiences which we face. That is why I will always believe that theatre is the ideal learning tool for life skills and experience.
B