Maltese Feasts In 2024 Set To Receive €700,000 In Funding
Funding for feasts has been revamped with the launch of the Artistic Heritage Scheme which aims to support of this important cultural expression.
The 2024 funding scheme, which will be managed by Arts Council Malta, represents a 45% increase in government investment from the half a million euros that were announced in the previous years. A total investment of €700,000 go towards three strands: band clubs, fireworks factories, and feast decorations associations.
Minister for the National Heritage Owen Bonnici announced the launch of the Artistic Heritage Scheme adding that this funding scheme is essential in securing a sustainable future to our local cultural fabric while improving accessibility within the sector.
“The traditions that are being safeguarded by the scheme form an important part of our cultural tapestry. Through this new and strengthened investment we are ensuring that all band clubs, all firework factories which work on a voluntary basis and all feast decorations associations are given a financial contribution that serves to assist them in their endeavour to continue evolving and contributing to the unique identity of our communities,” he said.
He remarked that the Maltese festa is now established as an Intangible Culture Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO and this puts even more responsibility on the authorities to keep assisting this important cultural expression.
The Arts Council Malta’s Strategy 2025 aims to place artists and cultural practitioners at the forefront of its efforts, emphasising the empowerment of Malta’s diverse social and cultural landscape.
Central to this strategy is fostering a participatory culture and supporting communities engaged in traditional activities to celebrate and maintain their local cultural identities. With the launch of new initiatives, the strategy seeks to safeguard and develop Malta’s unique cultural characteristics, including its traditional and folkloric elements.
The introduction of three funding strands underlines the commitment to promoting a wide array of artistic and cultural expressions, furthering professionalisation within the sector and ensuring the dynamic preservation of Maltese cultural identity.
Awarded projects will be able to recover 100% of the eligible expenses, with band clubs entitled to a maximum of €8,000 per project, while each fireworks factory and feast decorations associations’ project can claim up to €5,000 in funds.
Eligible projects for band clubs include those that invest in musical training and education, restoration, investment in technological set-ups and collaborations with other band clubs, among others.
Projects by feast associations can include anything related to the design and manufacture of semi-permanent feast decor such as statues, as well as educational initiatives and social cultural events.
Fireworks factories can get investment in safety equipment and machinery, educational resources, infrastructure, restoration works and collaborations with other local and European fireworks factories funded. These lists are not exhaustive.
All three funding strands will be available twice throughout 2024, with the first deadline being 2nd April 2024 and the second 8th October 2024.
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