Performing arts’ students react to Manoel Theatre’s new CEO
The appointing of Ms Elizabeth Ebejer, a former labour councillor and assistant librarian at the University of Malta, has caused outrage in Malta’s theatrical scene. Ms Pia Zammit, one of Malta’s most decorated actors has resigned as a board member of the Manoel Theatre in retaliation to this unconsulted decision.
This is not the first time that corruption has tainted the cultural scene in Malta. A number of months ago the current artistic director was appointed without a call for applications and without consultation with the board.
A number of performing arts students at the University of Malta also feel let down by the Ministry of Culture over this appointment. Although they disagree with the running of the artistic scene in Malta, performers are too afraid to speak up.
A performing arts student, who wishes not to be named, had this to say on the matter; “Artists should be less scared to speak up, because we see a lot of these things happening, but if we do speak up about stuff we do not like, then we become scared that we won’t get another job, or we feel that we will be blacklisted”. Students have generally agreed that the cultural scene in Malta has become rather amateurish. One student said that this is a real shame, especially since Malta is home to Europe’s oldest theatre and that government corruption has seeped into the arts.
Although the students will not express their thoughts on the matter, they have applauded Ms Pia Zammit’s decision to step down. Some have said that they hope that the ministry will "get the hint’ and improve the cultural scene in Malta, especially with V18 round the corner now.
