Another Musical Society saved: The Government enters into an agreement with the tenants of the headquarters of the Kristu Sultan Banda Paola Musical Social Society which was at serious risk of eviction
The Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government has entered into an agreement with the tenants of the premises of the Kristu Sultan Banda Paola Musical Social Society with the aim of transferring all the tenants’ rights to the Ministry and thus protecting this musical society from an imminent risk of eviction. This society was at this risk due to the legal situation linked to the current lease and thus the Government has given reassurance that this Musical Society will continue to operate for the benefit of Maltese traditions and culture.
This is the 15th Musical Society that this Government has intervened to save from the imminent risk of eviction.
Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici stressed that the Government has stepped in with commitment and determination to save 15 Musical Societies, including the Kristu Sultan Musical Social Society, because it believes in the great good that these Musical Societies do in our communities and our country as a whole. He stressed that our country must continue to invest in its beautiful traditions and culture if we want to live in a more beautiful and better Malta. He explained the work being done to save the band clubs that are at risk of eviction and said that this work is a priority even in light of the fact that the Maltese feast is now considered an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Minister Bonnici stressed that with this agreement, the Government is once again demonstrating its commitment to reaching a solution where it has acted correctly both with the renters and with the musical society itself. He explained that at the moment the final contract is made, this property will join the portfolio of properties which are all the headquarters of musical societies which are being managed by a dedicated section within the Malta Arts Council and with which the respective musical societies enter into a leasing relationship.
The total investment on this club will be €1,000,050 and the final contract is expected to be signed within two years, thus consolidating the full title to the building in favour of the Government.
The Director of Funds within the Arts Council Malta, Rita Falzon said, “Thanks to initiatives such as this, the Arts Council Malta is continuing to foster the cultural legacy of our islands. Traditional entities such as band clubs play an essential role in safeguarding and strengthening this within the contemporary society in which we live, and in the context of a multicultural environment that is constantly evolving.”
In total, the Ministry has so far invested a total of €30 million in the acquisition of all rights over fourteen properties. The fourteen seats of musical societies that have been conclusively purchased by the Ministry are now: the seat of the San Gejtanu Music Society AD 1906, the seat of the Marija Reġina Marsa Musical Society AD 1977, the seat of the Stella Levantina Musical Society of Attard, the seat of the Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja of Kalkara, the seat of the Santa Liena Banda Duke of Connaught’s Own Society of Birkirkara, the seat of the Antoine de Paule Musical Society of Paola, the seat of the Stella Maris Musical Society of Tas-Sliema, the seat of the San Pietru fil-Ktajjen Musical Society of Birżebbuġa, the seat of the Anici Socio-Musical Society of Qormi, the seat of the Society Santa Marija Philharmonic Orchestra Mosta, the headquarters of the Sant’Andrija Society of Lija, the headquarters of the 12th May Band in Żebbuġ, the King’s Own Band of Valletta and the Madonna of Pompei Band Marsaxlokk AD 1990.
Also present for this press conference was the President of the Kristu Sultan Paola Musical Association Clayton Cascun, along with the Kristu Sultan Paola Musical Association committee, the Mayor of Paola Jason Silvio, and members of the Paola Local Council.
