Evenings on Campus with ‘self-discovery’ theme for 2010

This major cultural festival will be entertaining, thought-provoking and innovative with something for everyone to enjoy.  Evenings on Campus always benefits from the talents and interest of staff and students as well as that of international performers which gives it a slightly different atmosphere to all the other cultural events on the island. 

This year’s activities start with the presentation of a projected photography installation by Patrick J Fenech.  Well known for his cutting edge artistic photography, Fenech has recently exhibited in New York and in Istanbul.  His installation on campus sets the theme of Self-Discovery and Coming of Age which will pervade the various events.  The Inizjamed group which will bring together writers of different generations to recount their experiences in an evening of art, poetry, music and literature.  The newly formed Malta Classics Association presents ‘Id-Dawl u id-Diwi’ featuring phos (light), phoné (music) and narration in both Greek and Latin in a contemporary and playful atmosphere. For those whose Greek and Latin are a bit rusty, summary translations will be included!

An example of collaboration between students and staff is presented by Dr Anthony Aquilina through the showing of a popular French film, Les Choristes, which has been subtitled in Maltese by a University student, Ms Mary Jo Caruana from the original.  Subtitling requires specific skills which will be explained in a brief introduction by Dr Aquilina.  This film continues the theme of ‘Coming of Age’ as does The Road Home, a Chinese film presented in collaboration with the Confucius Institute and the third film entitled ‘Stealing Beauty’ (15).

The WhatsTheirNames Theatre, led by University student, Philip Leone Ganado, has had a very successful year with performances on campus and at MITP.  This time WTN will be performing two one-act comedies by Woody Allen, entitled “God” and “Death”.  God is set in ancient Greece so the small Greek Theatre in the round on campus is a fitting venue for this occasion.

A regular performer at Evening on Campus is Walter Micallef, one of Malta’s most successful singer-songwriters.  On this occasion he will be joined by the successful percussionist, Renzo Spiteri and three members of the Cosmos Wind Ensemble to create an evening of Micallef’s music mixed with light classical fare.

The Compagnia Balagan presents The Recognition of Sakuntala which is fable for all ages written in a theatrical version in Italian by Valeria Bianchi using shadow theatre and puppets.  The play is based on the Indian play by the renowned Classical Sanskrit writer Kalidasa.  A summary translation in English will be provided.

The dance element of this year’s festival is provided by Redtape Dance Company with a performance entitled “Mixed Bill: Unexpected Encounters” with excerpts from different modern ballets, a repertoire by famous dance choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, under the direction of Christina Camilleri and Maria Cassar. The performance will take place in the airconditioned Sir Temi Zammit Hall.

Simon Mawer, author of eight novels and two non-fiction books, will be with us for a book reading and discussion about his own books and contemporary literature. His latest novel, “The Glass Room”, published in January 2009, was on the Man Booker shortlist.

Artists Biancamaria Stanzani Ghedini and Massimo de Majo will conclude this year’s edition of Evening On Campus presenting “reading mediterraneo”, a concert of Maltese poetry, video installation and live jazz music. Texts of John Cremona, Joe Friggieri, Maria Grech Ganado and Immanuel Mifsud will be performed in English and Italian by Biancamaria Stanzani Ghedini together with recordings of Father Peter Serracino Inglott and a video installation by Vince Briffa. Music by Massimo de Majo, Dominic Galea and Flavio Piantoni.

This year’s festival enjoys the support of KPMG, Corinthia Group, British Council, HSBC, AudioSystems and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura. Patrons can take advantage of the ample parking available at the Msida Campus. All performances commence at 2030hrs. Tickets at €8 (films at €5) can be obtained at the door and also from the Communications & Alumni Relations Office on campus, Rm 133, Administration Bldg. or by email: [email protected].