Gozitan artists and artisan enterpreneurs deserve support and appreciation for their creative initiatives

Gozitan artists and artisan enterpreneurs deserve support and appreciation for their creative initiatives to turn problems into opportunities in their respective fields. They are making a difference while overcoming the economic and social difficulties arising from the double insularity that Gozo like other EU islands, suffers from. Gozitan artists and operators in the agritourism sector told Maltese MEP Alfred Sant that the fact that they come from a small island on the periphery of the European continent strengthens their resolve to be creative in their respective sectors.
Dr Sant met Gozitan artists who will be exhibiting their art works at the European Parliament early next year. He also held a meeting with the Directors of Ta’ Mena Estate the producers of authentic local Gozitan products using traditional methods with natural ingredients produced on the island.
Dr Sant congratulated the young Gozitan artists for their endeavours. Four contemporary Gozitan artists will unveil twenty four artistic exhibits at the European Parliament between 6-9 March 2018. Rachel Galea, Kris Saliba, Manuel Farrugia and Anthony Caruana have been invited by the Office of the Maltese MEP to display their paintings portraying Gozitan realities and aspirations at the main hall of the European Parliament in Brussels. The venue will provide an opportunity for MEPs and visitors to the European Parliament from EU countries to appreciate the works of these artists living at the periphery of Europe.
“Their artistic interpretations deserve such a recognition at the European Parliament. It is part of our strategy to make Gozitan aspirations and achievements better known in Europe.”
Dr Sant also toured Ta’ Mena Estate Offices in Xewkija Gozo. Mr Joe Spiteri, Director told Dr Sant that despite the harsh competition provided by foreign producers, his company focuses on the production and development of pure Gozitan products ranging from wine to traditional ‘kunserva’ and pure honey, jams, cheeses, pates and extra virgin oil. Most of the fruits, olives, herbs, vegetables come from the Gozitan countryside and they are produced using traditional methods with natural ingredients only.
“Ta’ Mena Estate have invested €3.5 million in their new factory cum commercial outlet. Maltese, Gozitan and foreign clients appreciate our philosophy and that gives us strength to further invest in this sector ”, Mr Spiteri told the Maltese MEP.
Dr Sant congratulated Ta’ Mena Estate for their initiative to exploit the realities of Gozo into a success agritourist story.

Maltese Version – ARTISTI GĦAWDXIN U INTRAPRENDITURI ARTIĠJANALI JISTĦOQQILHOM APPOĠĠ U APPREZZAMENT GĦALL-INIZJATTIVI TAGĦHOM

Artisti Għawdxin u intraprendituri artiġjanali jistħoqqilhom appoġġ u apprezzament fl-inizjattivi li joħolqu u li permezz tagħhom ibiddlu d-diffikultajiet f’opportunitajiet fl-oqsma rispettivi tagħhom. “Huma qed jagħmlu d-differenza filwaqt li jegħlbu d-diffikultajiet ekonomiċi u soċjali li jirriżultaw mill-insularita` doppja li Għawdex, bħal gżejjer oħra fl-UE, isofri.” Dr Sant qal dan waqt laqgħa ma’ artisti Għawdxin li se jkunu qed jeżebixxu l-opri tal-arti tagħhom fil-Parlament Ewropew is-sena d-dieħla. L-Ewroparlamentari kellu wkoll laqgħa mad-Diretturi f’Ta’ Mena Estate, produtturi li b’metodi tradizzjonali u ingredjenti naturali joħolqu prodotti lokali awtentiċi Għawdxin.
L-artisti Għawdxin u l-operaturi fis-settur tal-agrituriżmu qalu lill-Ewroparlamentari Alfred Sant li l-fatt li ġejjin minn gżira żgħira u fil-periferija tal-kontinent Ewropew isaħħaħ id-determinazzjoni tagħhom biex ikunu kreattivi fis-setturi rispettivi tagħhom.
Dr Sant feraħ lill-artisti żgħażagħ għall-ħidmiethom. Erbgħa artisti kontemporanji Għawdxin se jippreżentaw erbgħa u għoxrin xogħol artistiku fil-Parlament Ewropew bejn is-6 u d-9 ta’ Marzu 2018. Rachel Galea, Kris Saliba, Manuel Farrugia u Anthony Caruana ġew mistiedna mill-Uffiċċju ta’ Dr Alfred Sant biex jeżebixxu l-pitturi tagħhom li jixhdu r-realtajiet u l-aspirazzjonijiet Għawdxin fis-sala ewlenija tal-Parlament Ewropew fi Brussell. Il-post fejn se ssir il-wirja joffri opportunita` biex Ewroparlamentari u viżitaturi tal-Parlament Ewropew jammiraw ix-xogħol ta’ dawn l-artisti li jgħixu fil-periferija tal-Ewropa.
“L-interpretazzjonijiet artistiċi tagħhom jistħoqqilhom rikonoxximent bħal dan fil-Parlament Ewropew. Hija parti mill-istrateġija tagħna li nagħmlu l-aspirazzjonijiet u l-kisbiet tal-Għawdxin aktar magħrufa fl-Ewropa.” qal l-Ewroparlamentari.
Dr Sant żar ukoll l-Uffiċċji ta’ Ta’ Mena Estate fix-Xewkija Għawdex. Id-Direttur is-Sur Joe Spiteri qal lil Dr Sant li minkejja l-kompetizzjoni ħarxa mill-produtturi barranin, il-kumpanija tiegħu tiffoka fuq il-produzzjoni u l-iżvilupp ta’ prodotti Għawdxin li jimirħu mill-inbid sal-kunserva tradizzjonali, l-għasel, ġamm, pates u żejt taż-żebbuġa pur. Ħafna mill-frott, żebbuġ, ħwawar u ħxejjex jiġu mill-għelieqi Għawdxin u huma magħmula bl-użu ta’ metodi tradizzjonali u ingredjenti naturali biss.
“Ta’ Mena Estate investew €3.5 miljun fil-fabbrika l-ġdida u kummerċjali tagħhom. Klijenti Maltin, Għawdxin u barranin japprezzaw il-filosofija tagħna u dan jagħtina l-imbottatura biex aktar inkomplu ninvestu fis-settur”, is-Sur Spiteri qal lil Dr Sant.
Dr Sant feraħ lil Ta’ Mena Estate li għarfu jisfruttaw ir-realtajiet Għawdxin u kisbu suċċess agrituristiku.