Writers and artists protest against Nadur clampdown
As writers, artists, culture workers and academics, we wish to express our dismay at the news that police have intervened in the run-up to the carnival celebrations. This is merely the latest in a long series of threats to the right to freedom of expression in our country. What makes it even more alarming is the fact that this time it involved the forces of law and order apparently acting on their own initiative, with motivations that remain unclear in spite of the explanations issued by the police force.
It is ironic that this intervention should occur in the context of the Nadur Carnival, one of the few that maintains the vestiges of spontaneity and anarchy that are the essence of these festivities, which constitute an important part of an intangible cultural heritage that is fast disappearing.
Nor does it bode well for our country that this should occur in the wake of the announcement of a new draft Cultural Policy, whose purpose is to function as a blueprint for cultural initiatives of all kinds. It is difficult to imagine how such a goal can be attained in the current climate, where a stifling conservatism seems to reign, and in which any potential criticism or satire of the established order is met with vehement resistance.
We urge in the strongest possible terms, the need to assess the threat to freedom of expression in this country, because there is a clear and imminent danger that Malta will lose its democratic credentials if these actions, that are apparently sanctioned by the country’s authorities, are to continue.
Toni Attard
Clare Azzopardi
Mario Azzopardi
Alfred E. Baldacchino
Ruth Bianco
Pawlu Borg Bonaci
Vince Briffa
Adrian Buckle
Gilbert Calleja
Mark Camilleri
George Cassar
Arnold Cassola
John Chircop
Charles Dalli
Noel Fabri
Ray Fabri
Vince Fabri
Michael Fenech
Domenic Fenech
Charles Flores
Mario Frendo
Francis Galea
Marco Galea
Albert Gatt
Michael Grech
Sergio Grech
Maria Grech Ganado
Adrian Grima
Chris Gruppetta
Simone Inguanez
Raymond Mahoney
Ġorġ Mallia
Albert Marshall
Caldon Mercieca
Pierre J. Mejlak
Pauline Miceli
Immanuel Mifsud
Nadja Mifsud
George Peresso
Karl Schembri
Mark Schembri
Lilian Sciberras
Lino Spiteri
Mario Vella
Vincent Vella
Alex Vella Gera
Trevor Zahra
Anna Zammit
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