Malta’s National Book Council has called out the state’s “bizarre and absurd” decision to restrict its use of the Mediterranean Conference Centre for its annual book festival, in order hold a Cirque Du Soleil show.

“After suffering its greatest economic slump ever, the book industry in Malta needs all the support it can get,” the council stressed, warning that restricting access to the MCC will significantly impact their event, revenue streams and existence of the industry.

“It is only in Malta that a government takes the bizarre and absurd decision to prioritise a foreign art group over its own cultural industry,” it said, referring to the publicly-subsidised international circus show that was given priority.

The National Book Council accused the MCC’s top executive of treating the industry with great disregard, adding that it has been the most consistent and loyal client during the pandemic, making use of its halls when other clients cancelled.

It also pointed out that the government’s subsiding of Cirque Du Soleil may “have very dubious legal grounds and may also be potentially illegal under EU rules” since the company previously filed for bankruptcy.

“Even if the government’s end objective is to promote Malta as a tourist destination, it is self-defeating if the government does this by prioritising foreign art groups over its local creative industries. The book industry is composed of small businesses and hard-working families, and the government should come to terms with their existence,” it said.

The council urged the state to intervene to give it unencumbered access on the 10th to 14th November and hoped the dispute doesn’t drag on any further.

Photo on the right: Cirque Du Soleil 

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