[WATCH] 360 artists to come together during CHOGM opening ceremony

CHOGM opening ceremony to involve 360 artists • Video by Ray Attard

Three hundred and sixty artists, including tenor Joseph Calleja, will come together during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting taking place in Malta next week.

Speaking to reporters, artistic director Ray Calleja said the opening ceremony will involve a mix of visual and performing arts.

Preparations, he added, have been going on since 2013 and they have involved around 500 people.

Calleja said that the artists had come together to create original performances and styles. He added that Ivan Grech, Karl Fiorini and Mario Sammut had come together to compose music for the events, and he further explained that international designers had been involved in the show, including lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe, who had been involved in the Lonodn 2012 Olympic Games.

“The team was also joined by lecturers and students from MCAST, and the costumes were also made in collaboration with inmates at the Corradino Correctional Facility, under the Love, Faith and Forgiveness programme,” he added.

Calleja further explained that some 250 children would be involved in the ceremony, as a reminder that all the decisions taken during the meetings, or the lack thereof will have a direct effect on future generations.

“The opening ceremony will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on the 27th November, and it will be broadcast live globally,” Calleja said, adding that that the venue will also be used for other shows that will be open to the public.

Calleja pointed out that members of the public could attend shows on the 27th November at 15:00, as well as on the 28th November at 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00, with tickets being sold at €15, and proceeds going to the Community Chest Fund.