The Prime Minister and Mrs. Gonzi visiting the Malta Tent during the celebrations.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Signing of the Rome Treaties in Berlin

EU Heads of Government joined German Federal Chancellor, Angela Merkel, EU-Commission President, Barroso and EU Parliament President Pöttering in signing the 'Berlin Declaration' on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. The Hon. Prime Minister, accompanied by Mrs. Gonzi, headed the delegation of Malta to this historic occasion.

The two-day celebrations started on Saturday, 24th March with a concert at the Berlin Philharmonie, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and ended with a grand 'Citizen's Feast' on Sunday, 25th March near the Brandenburg Gate.

A host of cultural activities accompanying the official events included a "Museums Night" on Saturday between 18:00 to 22:00hrs and a "Club-Night", organized by the German Foreign Office and the Federal Press Office in cooperation with the 27 EU countries. On Saturday morning, the Hon. Prime Minister and Mrs. Gonzi had the opportunity to meet the Maltese community living in Berlin during a reception held in their honour at the Embassy of Malta in Berlin. The Prime Minister and the ambassador of Malta to Germany, Dr. John Paul Grech, touched upon the historical significance of the Berlin celebrations and of Malta's future prospects, role and commitments as a member of the European Union.

Museums Night

In all, 14 museums participated in this 'Museums Night', entertaining visitors not only with specially guided tours, but also with numerous performances by musicians and actors. The Embassy of Malta in Berlin in cooperation with the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts coordinated the participation of Malta in this event. At the stroke of midnight, promising young actress, Leigh Anne Abela, performed a 20-minute version of the feminist play 'The Second coming of Joan of Arc' in the 'Wandelhalle' of the 'Gemäldegalerie' - a reputed museum, having old masters such as Caravaggio, Dürer and other leading masters, hanging as a backdrop.

In a widely expressive performance, Leigh Ann Abela was enthusiastically received by the German audience, enough to draw her back to the stage twice to acknowledge applause. Notwithstanding the late hour, the Hon. Prime Minister and Mrs. Gonzi attended the performance. Hours earlier, the 'Museums Night' had been officially inaugurated by German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

In another unusual cultural event, Maltese poet Adrian Grima participated in a language installation at the New National Gallery whereby 27 actors and writers recited a poem in their native language, which was simultaneously translated into German. Enjoying modern paintings of Klee and Picasso, visitors were also able to move from one room to another, whilst listening to the recital of different poems in different European languages, creating an interesting cumulative effect of intermingling sounds. Maltese poet Adrian Grima recited a poem called 'The Trumpeter'. It is estimated that over 20.000 people visited the 'Night of Beauty' of the Berlin Museums.

Club-Night

In yet another event, DJs and bands of all the 27 EU members presented their music during the 'Club-Night', each performing in one of 35 clubs participating. With just one ticket - the young and not so young - were able to move from one club to the other throughout the night. Popular Maltese band 'The Beangrowers' – familiar with the German audience - performed at the 'A-Lounge' - where a Malta-evening was organised, which included visuals on Malta, Kinnie-cocktails, food and tourist promotional material. The Prime Minister and Mrs. Gonzi, despite their heavy schedule, found time to visit the 'Beangrowers' performing to a packed house. This event was coordinated by the Embassy of Malta in cooperation with the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and the Malta Tourism Authority.

European Festival

On Sunday 25th March, a huge open-air festival took place around Brandenburg Gate with more than 70 tents/stands representing the 27 EU member states, German Ministries and NGOs.

The Malta Tourism Authority and the Embassy of Malta coordinated an attractive and lively 'Malta Tent'. A team of dancers, musicians and performers presented a colourful programme for the huge crowd attending. Dressed in typical traditional countryside costumes, the Maltese dancers performed traditional dances, including the 'Maltija' and the 'Fisher's dance' accompanied by traditional Maltese instruments, the 'zafzafa' and the ' tambur' to the crowd's delight. A lively 'Grandmaster' greeted the audience to the Malta-tent, recalling episodes from Malta's rich history and culture, apart from inviting and joining the crowd in the dancing. In addition, the audience were engaged with the troupe in conversations in Maltese. The revelry did not subside until very late in the evening, making it a huge tourist promotional success.

The Malta Tent also displayed the art and custom of lace-making in Malta in the presence of a traditionally costumed lace-maker, charming the crowd with her skills and craftsmanship. On the other hand, 'modern' Malta was represented by a contemporary dance number performed by Leigh-Ann Abela and Christopher Grech.

Undoubtedly, the 'Malta Tent' was one of the most attractive and surely the most cheerful of all. The merry-making, dances and the buoyant 'grandmaster' injected a happy atmosphere, engaging the crowd to dance and merry-making to Maltese tunes. It was best tourist promotion one could convey to the Berliners, who snapped photos and enamoured themselves to the islands, like never before. At regular intervals between performances, the crowd approached the Malta Tent, requested brochures and made enquiries about Malta. All brochures available, including those at the Embassy of Malta, were distributed. Maltese delicacies on display, including 'cheeselets', olives and Galletti varnished in no time, raising curiosity amongst onlookers whether any of them were available on supermarket shelves.

The 'Malta Tent' show including the performers were also prominently featured in one of the main German news shows -'Tagesthemen' - on German ARD TV.

Prior to his departure from Berlin, the Prime Minister and Mrs. Gonzi visited the Malta Tent, mingled with the overwhelming crowd surrounding it and delivered a press briefing. It is estimated that the EU 50th Anniversary celebrations, graced with springtime weather and a blue sky throughout, attracted over 500,000 visitors to the main thoroughfares in Berlin.