Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government José Herrera announced that 30 voluntary firework factories have successfully applied and will benefit from Malta Arts Council funding amounting to €170,000.
Minister Herrera emphasised that the main purpose of these funds is to increase safety in the way firework factories are operated and to increase the safety of their workers. He mentioned that during the past weeks, his ministry has issued various schemes to assist different aspects of culture such as bands, firework factories and entities.
“The creative arts sector, which employs around 10,000 people, is experiencing difficulties and we as a government recognise this. This sector was amongst the first to be directly affected and impacted by the pandemic and whilst we have taken various measures and initiatives to support this sector, as a government we are determined not to leave this industry and all those involved alone in this situation. Culture is indispensable for us as a country and therefore as a government, we are determined not to let this industry die. Thus, together with stakeholders in this sector, including the Malta Arts Council, MEIA and the artists themselves, we are discussing what measures are necessary in a context of sustainability. In the coming weeks, we will announce a number of measures aimed at directly helping this sector”, stated Minister Herrera.
Eric Fenech from the Malta Arts Council explained that as a council they have always recognised that the Maltese feast as well as the art of fireworks are an important part of the Maltese culture, and therefore these funds will help the firework factories operate in a safer place by investing in infrastructure and machinery which makes their work safer.
Għaqda Piroteknika Maltija thanked the ministry and the Malta Arts Council which by means of these funds are once again helping the Maltese firework factories improve safety measures. Its representatives said that they are currently facing difficulties due to COVID-19 and therefore these funds will be very helpful. They also stated that nowadays everyone who frequents the firework factories is licensed and required to attend specific training.
