“Times of Dilemma” makes use of the tradition of Għana (a spontaneously improvised dialogical Maltese) singing for creating contemporary Għana dialogues addressing current conflicts in Maltese society. In July 2017 transparadiso organized two workshop sessions for which they launched an open call for participation, and invited authors, Għana-singers (Għanneijja), activists and experts from diverse backgrounds to discuss the contradictory interests between economical prosperity and regaining communal values, rediscovering qualities, (hidden) potentials and poetics for living together. Thus transparadiso returned the voice to the Maltese for taking action.

The contributions were based on the following questions: What I miss, what I am afraid of losing, what I find problematic, what I treasure, what I am proud of, what I want to change. They served as basis for texts by Maltese authors Jean Paul Borg, Jo Burden, Immanuel Mifsud, which were then transformed into contemporary Għana dialogues by the young Għanneij-Rapper Rachelle Deguara.

Performance – an Għana-dialogue between Valletta and Manoel Island
For the performances by the Għanneijja transparadiso conceived two large megaphone-sculptures, offering a dialogical sound transfer of 320 meters between St.Roche’s Chapel and the privatized Manoel Island, which will be transformed into an exclusive new urban development for the rich. The locations relate to the times of lepra, when a priest held his prayers from St.Roche’s Chapel to the quarantine hospital on Manoel Island – now addressing a plague of today, namely the uncontrolled urban development in Malta.

These contemporary Għana dialogues reposition the (today under recognized) tradition of folk singing in “high culture”, and explore Għana as artistic method for addressing conflicts in an open process, which highlights the potential of poetics as subtle means for activism. This is a big challenge for the authors as well as for the Għanneijja, since Ghana today still performed is usually “spirtu pront”, which means spontaneous improvisation. To perform a scripted text challenges the Għanneijja to commit to a new format - and it equally required the confidence of the renowned Maltese authors to offer their texts for being transformed into a Għana dialog.

In this way “Times of Dilemma” does not only address burning questions of the Maltese society, but also transgresses the borders of “high culture” and “folk culture” in a unique format.

Participants of the workshops:
Joan Abela, Jean Paul Borg, Marie Briguglio, Stephan Buhagiar, Josephine Burden, Michelina Camilleri (TA Xiggi), Vince Carabott (Bukku), Angelo Chetcuti (Sabu), Justine Cutajar, Anthony Carl Cutqar, Rachelle Deguara, Andrea Delicata, Antoine Foive, Erica Giusta, Marcia Grima, Reuben Grima, Simone Inguanez, Victor Jacono, Anthoney Karl (il-Pikkulin), Tom van Malderen, Duska Malesevic, Sarah Mallia, Josianne Micallef, Immanuel Mifsud, Alexandra Pace, James Pace, Victoria Pace, Zeppi Spagnol, Rose Spagnol, Saviour Tanti (il-Kanadiz), Anglu Theuma (il-Kina), Calcidon Vella (ta Mustacca), Emmanuel Vella, John Vella, Raphael Vella.

Texts for the Għana dialogues
Jean Paul Borg, Jo Burden, Immanuel Mifsud

Għana dialogues:
Rachelle Deguara, l-Bukku Vince, Angelo Theuma, Mikelina, Josmick Agius

Performance
Għanneijja: Il-Bukku Vince, Angelo Theuma, Mikelina, Josmick Agius, Maria Agius ‚Oħt iż -Żebbuġin‘, Rachelle Deguara
Guitarists: John Saliba, Victor Grech, Frans Casha, Ruben Schembri

“Times of Dilemma” is part of “The Island is What the Sea Surrounds”
Watch video

“The Island is What the Sea Surrounds”: opening on March 24, 2018 Exam Centre, Valletta
An additional megaphone is available for use at the exhibition at the Exam Centre.

“Times of Dilemma” performances at St.Roche Chapel/ Valletta and at Manoel Island:
March 25, 2018
May 27, 2018
July 1, 2018