- Target:
- Heritage Malta
- Region:
- Malta
Thank you everyone for contributing! There will no longer be a party - thanks to YOU!
Heritage Malta have issued a Press Release - https://heritagemalta.org/press-release-by-heritage-malta/?fbclid=IwAR07L2341YRETZ-FpDqXYCgnTLZN_43PXSiIh0_V2Tw0r9BaWL6pQdf0tb8
District, the organisers have also released the following statement:
“Following on from Heritage Malta’s statement, we wish to clarify a few misconceptions among the public about the nature of this live stream event at Mnajdra Temples. We share your concerns over the celebration and preservation of our national heritage which is why we’re taking several steps to ensure no damage is done to our World Heritage Site. We acknowledge that this information should have been provided from the outset, for this we apologize.
These are the steps we had already taken to ensure that the site is not damaged in anyway.
1. Sound equipment will be placed outside and in front of the temple, on the soiled part. No persons were to be allowed inside or near the temple. No one will touch the temples.
2. This is not a party, it is a 60 minute streamed showcase. The footage will be uploaded on Mixmag’s Facebook page. We’re working with Mixmag as they have covered streams at Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, which of course has a very similar setting and similar sensitivities to the one we are working in.
3. All precautionary measure have been taken to ensure that no damage is done to our heritage. Our aim is to promote our heritage to youths worldwide.
4. No alcohol and no cigarettes were to be consumed nor sold on site. Only a water station was to be provided free of charge for guests to stay hydrated.
5. An ambulance and police will be on site at all times.
6. Only cold lighting (LEDs) will be used to avoid damage to the temple.
7. No heels or flip flops were allowed, only closed flat shoes.
Those were the original conditions of the event. However, with respect to the concerns raised by many, together with Heritage Malta we have decided that no guests will attend. These sixty individuals were never the focus of this event, and we will now go ahead with just Denis Sulta and Mixmag.
This is a non-profit making event - we’re actually paying for it out of our own pocket - with the sole objective of putting Malta on the map, both in terms of our music industry as well as unique historical sites such as Mnajdra. Similar initiatives have successfully taken place at historically and culturally sensitive and important sites both in Malta as well as other European countries.
This modern method of promoting Malta to a young global audience cannot be compared to anything similar. Showcasing our rich heritage through a medium that youths follow and observe nowadays will only serve to intrigue their interest. We are proud to be doing this and hope to prove to you that we’re in it for the right reasons. Thanks for your attention.”
The Petition has had coverage on the Times of Malta: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/petition-slams-use-of-historic-mnajdra-as-a-party-venue.730207
As well as on Net News:
https://netnews.com.mt/2019/08/22/tiftah-petizzjoni-kontra-party-fl-imnajdra-l-organizzaturi-jinsistu-li-mhemmx-riskju-ta-hsara/
And
https://netnews.com.mt/2019/08/22/district-jirtiraw-l-udjenza-mill-avveniment-fl-imnajdra/
District, events organisers focusing on electronic music, are organising a party at Mnajdra Temples - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Temples were built around the fourth millennium BCE and are amongst the oldest sacred sites on Earth.
The event has been organised in conjunction with Heritage Malta, and will take place on the 4th of September 2019.
https://www.facebook.com/275918565928043/posts/1132043416982216?sfns=xmo
We, the undersigned, call upon Heritage Malta to retract the permission for the event. Desecration of any temple site - regardless of which faith it belongs do, is despicable, and our heritage deserves to be treated with more respect than serving as a party hall.
The Mnajdra is not a Party Venue petition to Heritage Malta was written by Rosalind Dougall and is in the category National Affairs at GoPetition.