Malta-scape
via
Finland
Eventually my employment in the computor field landed me in my present position with this country's BBC-equivalent. Before long my "exotic" background interested a German born producer here and first I got to do a 6 minute spot in a radio-column called, appropriately "The Tower of Babel", in Finnish, in 1992.
Soon, having got the "taste of radio-work", we agreed that Finland needed a
better introduction to the Maltese, this time in English. And so I got to do
the 3-part series of 15 minute programmes which I grandiosely called "Malta and
its People". I would be among the first to admit that it is by no means an
ultimate and fulfledged look at all strata of Maltese society, but in view of
the resources at my disposal (i.e. primarily my own experiences) the attempt is
not quite futile, if not entertaining as I made a point of using various pieces
of Maltese music.
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"EDWARD PATRICK ILES
(edi.iles@yle.fi )
I am Eddie Iles, 52, from Marsascala. I left Malta in 1965 to the UK, but maintain close contacts there, and visit Malta often. My main hobby over 30 years has been photography, it's a way of life! In England I worked as a nurse in the Psychiatric field, for about 10 years. Then 24 years ago we moved to Helsinki and changed professions.
I work at YLE (the Finnish Broadcasting Company), in Helsinki's Pasila complex, in a Systems Analyst. Finnish is the language I use daily, but English is still our home language (although my wife is a Finn), and recently I've been able to practice Maltese with the few who came here more recently.
In August of 1994 we founded a Finnish-Maltese Friendship Society and I was
elected onto the Committee as Deputy Chairman. I am also involved in producing
our
newsletter, called MALTASET. The Society is mainly made up of Finns who have
been at least once to Malta, but several Maltese are involved actively too. We
look
forward to cultural contacts from Malta. "
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NOW for the news (Summer '99), which we had sent our members:
Dear member,
With Summer is at its best, we would like to greet you with the following bits
of cultural info.
Our joint Nalizpelra / Karlsson journalistic cartoons exhibition at Stoa was very well covered by the national press, both in YLE´s Aamutv´s news bulletins and Helsingin Sanomat on opening day, and in the Kauppalehti magazine during the same week. It has attracted a very lively audience, with interesting comments in the visitors' books. The Nalizpelra cartoons and Eddie Iles´s ?Maltese Characters? photo exhibition are now a show of their own at the Emil Cedercreutz Museum at Harjavalta (near Pori) between July 3rd and September 1st .
Soprano Marita Bezzina, who had taken part in our Musica Malta 97 recitals, is again performing in Finland. On July 22nd at the old stone church in Espoo, then at the Emil Cedercreutz Museum at Harjavalta on the 24th July. Kristiina Junttu will accompany her on piano on both occasions.
Our dear Society is going to be 5 years old on Wednesday 4th August. Which gives
us reason to celebrate at the Stoa restaurant starting at 6 p.m. that
evening. We'll be watching the Exhibition opening on video sometime during the
evening.
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EXCERPTS FROM THE 2ND. PROGRAMME OF 3 : MALTA AND ITS PEOPLE
(Produced in 1993 for the YLE radio)
Cultural and academic life in Malta has long traditions. Malta University boasts of being among the oldest established. Rector Fr. Peter S-Inglott:
It began exactly 400 years ago in 1592, as the Collegium Melitense, which was a Jesuit College. Then the Jesuits were expelled; and it became a state university. It was taken over by the Knights, who were then sovereigns of Malta. And they developed a strong medical tradition. 'Cause of course, they were in constant combat with the Turks, and one of the rules of the Order was that the Knights had to leave their books to the Public Library and their bodies, their cadavres to the School of Anatomy to be dissected. So, the university never lacked cadavres at a time when this was difficult to obtain. So, a strong tradition was established in anatomy and surgery; which is still active today.
What in particular is the Malta University best known for Fr. Peter?
.........., actually the Medical School is more specialized in Diabetes and degenerative diseases; because of the very high incidence which Diabetes has in all the Mediterrenean countries, and Malta in particular. And, also in aging. We have the U.N. Institute On Aging, which is established in Malta, and we run also Masters' programmes in Gerontology, including Geriatrics; which is also attended by professionals in the field of the Care Of The Aging, whether medical or social workers from all over the world. |H
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This is Miss Jackie Bartolo, a young actress and puppeteer. A few years ago she and her friends set up the Pupazzi. It's a kind of 'Punch & Judy Show' based on old Maltese legends, for children of all ages. But why choose puppetry Jackie?
Living in Malta, we have such lovely folklore and traditions that all are being gradually forgotten, and especially by the young generation. And I said it's time somebody did do something about it; using these traditions. And that's where the idea came up to perform, hmmmm to form this puppet theatre.
It's easy to watch a film about the traditional legends or watch a play, or read a book about it. But what I've seen, the children are too much taken aback with these new technology and other things and they're completely forgetting all the traditions we have. It's such a nice feeling to have your grandmother tell you about it, then it's even better to actually see it with puppetry, with puppets involved. And that's our aim, actually, to revive all these memories, these lovely legends and traditions in our island. And actually see them coming to life with puppets.
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The people of Gozo speak Maltese in a distinclty different accent as on the mainland. But then even there, one can find a variety of accents in towns and villages relatively close to each other. I discussed this matter with author Francis Ebejer.
There are two km. dividing two places and yet they've got different accents.
Can you think of any logical reason, why that has been so?
I think it has to do with our individuality too. 'Cause we are great individualists. Almost too much. Also to distinguish one locality from the other. And there's always this very human, sly competition. You know, "our village is better than yours", "we put up a better Festa", so "if you talk like this, I'm going to talk differently".
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The individualistic, multilingual Maltese have a cosmopolitan culture. British ways are still evident and accepted in daily life. But then again so is the influence by the neighbouring Italian culture, nowadays through tens of TV-channels.
The land cannot be described as having plentiful Natural beauty. Yet, the arid countryside, beautiful architecture, clear blue seas, the warm sun and positive attitudes of the small nation living generally as one big family, have long inspired writers and artists of various arts. Many picture-books, some with very impressive photography have recently been published. They deal with different aspects of life on the small islands of Malta.
Pluralism of the Media flourishes there. Several newspapers are published, both daily and weekly, and both in English and Maltese. The oldest established newspaper is called the Times, but the more recently founded Independent provides a more modern form of journalism, and a better balanced look at new items. It also gives an equal political platform to both the Right and the Left.
Until about a year ago, there was only one local TV-station and 2 radio stations, all State owned. Nowadays there are 7 new radio stations (under commercial, Political Party, or Church ownership).
The educational system has long produced capable people who have eventually made their mark in various fields, particularly in law|N=,|B= medicine and e.g. psychology.
Nowadays many Maltese technicians work in various Middle East countries, exporting know how and at the same time earning higher wages for a year or two before returning home.
Sahha u kif jghejdu l-Finlandisi "Tsau"
E-mail: Eddie Iles