The Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government has entered into a promise of sale agreement with the emphyteutae of the seat of the Għaqda Soċjali Mużikali Kristu Sultan Banda Paola with the aim of having all the emphyteutae’s rights pass on to the Ministry and, thus, this musical society would be protected from the imminent risk of eviction. This society was at risk because of the legal situation tied with the existing rent, and as such the government has given peace of mind to this musical society so that it may continue to operate for the benefit of Maltese culture.
This is the fifteenth musical society on whose behalf the government has intervened to save it from the compelling risk of eviction.
Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici stated that the government has been fully committed and determined in saving these fifteen musical societies, including the Għaqda Soċjali Kristu Sultan, because it believes in the great good that these musical societies provide to our communities and the country in toto. He insisted that our country needs to continue investing in its beautiful traditions and culture if we want to live in a better and more beautiful Malta. He explained that work is being done so that band clubs which are at risk of eviction are saved, and he stated that this work is of utmost priority given that the Maltese feast is now considered to be part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Minister Bonnici insisted that through this promise of sale agreement, the government is, once again, showing its commitment to reach a solution, where it acted correctly with both the emphyteutae and the musical society itself. He explained that the moment that the final contract is brought into force, this property will join the portfolio of properties which are all seats of musical societies which are being managed by a dedicated section within Arts Council Malta, and with which the respective musical societies enter into a lease-based relationship.
The total investment in relation to this band club will be that of €1,000,050, and the final contract is expected to be signed within two years so that that the entire title of the building is consolidated in favour of the government.
Arts Council Malta Director of Funds Rita Falzon stated, “Thanks to initiatives of this stripe, Arts Council Malta is continuing to affirm our islands’ cultural legacy. Traditional entities, such as band clubs, have an essential role in safeguarding and strengthening this cultural legacy within the contemporary society we’re living in, and within the continually evolving multicultural context.”
In total, the Ministry has so far invested a total of €30 million in acquiring all the rights relating to fourteen properties. The fourteen seats of these musical societies that were conclusively bought by the Ministry so far are: the seat of the Għaqda tal-Mużika San Gejtanu AD 1906, the seat of the Soċjetà Mużikali Marija Reġina Marsa A.D.1977, the seat of the Għaqda Mużikali Stella Levantina in Attard, the seat of the Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja in Kalkara, the seat of the Soċjetà Każin Santa Liena Banda Duke of Connaught’s Own in Birkirkara, the seat of the Soċjetà Mużikali Antoine de Paule in Paola, the seat of the Soċjetà Mużikali Stella Maris in Sliema, the seat of the Għaqda Mużikali San Pietru fil-Ktajjen in Birżebbuġa, the seat of the Għaqda Soċjomużikali Anici in Qormi, the seat of the Soċjetà Filarmonika Santa Marija Mosta, the seat of the Soċjetà Sant’Andrija in Lija, the seat of the Banda 12th May in Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Banda King’s Own in Valletta, and Banda Madonna ta’ Pompei Marsaxlokk AD 1990.
The president of Għaqda Mużikali Kristu Sultan Paola, Clayton Cascun, together with the committee of Għaqda Mużikali Kristu Sultan Paola, Paola mayor Jason Silvio, and members of the Paola Local Council, were also present for this news conference.
