Sette Giugno 100th Anniversary
The Sette Giugno Anniversary commemorates the events which occurred on the 7th of June 1919 when, following a series of riots by the Maltese population, the British troops fired into the crowd, killing civilians. This happened in the aftermath of World War I, when the cost of living had increased dramatically and the Maltese colonial government failed to provide an adequate supply of basic food provisions for the people. Political developments that were steaming at the time were also a fundamental contributor to the spirit of unrest which eventually led to the uprising. Malta traditionally commemorates the event at St. George’s Square in Valletta by a ceremony where wreaths are laid over the Sette Giugno monument.
Fondazzjoni Ċelebrazzjonijiet Nazzjonali considers the centenary of Sette Guigno riots to be the most important anniversary of this year. FCN believes that this centenary is intimately connected to another centenary that we will be commemorating in 2021, that of the first constitution that had given the Maltese some autonomy for the first time under the rule of an imperial government, since one is believed to have lead to the other.
The programme of events and initiatives designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary is vast and includes a myriad of events, productions and other initiatives. First and foremost, FCN will be publishing a book titled ‘Sette Giugno, Ċentinarju – L-Ewwel Pass Lejn Stat Sovran’. The book which will be in Maltese is being edited by Professor Raymond Mangion and includes articles from several contributors, which analyse the cause and effect of these historical riots and their impact throughout the years. An exhibition designed by Heritage Malta with the collaboration of the Maltese Parliament will be displayed in Parliament building between mid-April and mid-July. For June FCN has commissioned various productions such as ‘Sette’ a musical produced by Teatru Malta and Jazz Suite by Dominic Galea. The musical ‘Sette’ promises to deliver a fresh and contemporary take on the events that have marked our history. The musical will feature original work created specifically for this musical by The New Victorians together with a company of highly skilled professional performers. Galea’s Jazz suite on the other hand, will be showcasing the chain of events leading to the Sette Giugno revolution with a narrator reading poetry written specifically for this suite before each act. FCN is also producing a 4-part documentary in collaboration with Mario Xuereb on behalf of PBS and the National Archives. The documentary will present various new findings tied to the events of Sette Giugno and will tackle the contest within which they occured. Last but not least FCN has also commissioned a feature film which is being produced by Jean Pierre Magro titled ‘L-Istorbju’ aka ‘Just Noise’. Covering the last 24 hours, this documentary-style drama will show these tragic events as they unfolded on the fateful day of June 7th.
While designing the programme of events commemorating the storical events of Freedom Day and Sette Giugno Riots, FCN thought of organizing a mini film festival for the occasion. The film festival consists of a series of illustrious movies that communicate themes that are relevant to the significance of these events. The film festival, will run on PBS between the 14th May and 4th June every Tuesday at 21:30 on TVM2.
VII SETTE
Location: Fort St. Elmo
Dates: 7, 8, 9, 14 June
2019 marks the centenary of one of the most talked about occurrences in recent Maltese history: Sette Giugno.
On the seventh day of June in 1919, 6 men lost their lives in the infamous riots that shaped the very heart of the Malta we've come to know today. In collaboration with FĊN, Teatru Malta will be celebrating this national anniversary with what promises to be the musical not just of the season but the year.
The New Victorians direct and devise this contemporary piece together with Erin Carter as writer, Simon Bartolo as translator, Luke Azzopardi as costume designer with the support and artistic contribution of camilleriparismode Aldo Moretti as set designer, and the involvement of ZfinMalta.
Starring Jacob Piccinino, Leo Graham, Lee-N Ellul, Christian Scicluna, Andrew Sowrey, Matthew Hunt, Jeremy Grech, Nicola Azzopardi, Sandie Von Brockdorff, Rebecca Camilleri, Zoe Camilleri, Julienne Restall, Bettina Cassar and Philippa Cassar
What happened to Malta on the VII of June? Buy a ticket to find out.
This production is produced by Teatru Malta in partnership with Fondazzjoni Ċelebrazzjonijiet Nazzjonali and is proudly supported by Arts Council Malta under the Auspices of the Ministry of Justice, Culture and Local Government, camilleriparismode, Heritage Malta and Festivals Malta.
SKIZZI
Starring Jacob Piccinino, Leo Graham, Lee-N Ellul, Christian Scicluna, Andrew Sowrey, Matthew Hunt, Jeremy Grech, Nicola Azzopardi, Sandie Von Brockdorff, Rebecca Camilleri, Zoe Camilleri, Julienne Restall, Bettina Cassar and Philippa Cassar
What happened to Malta on the VII of June? Buy a ticket to find out. This production is produced by Teatru Malta in partnership with Fondazzjoni Ċelebrazzjonijiet Nazzjonali and is proudly supported by Arts Council Malta under the Auspices of the Ministry of Justice, Culture and Local Government, camilleriparismode, Heritage Malta and Festivals Malta.
CULHAT AL BELT
An Exhibition in collaboration with Heritage Malta
and the House of Representatives
Location: Parliament Building
Dates: 5 June - 31 July
On 7 June 1919 all Maltese joined forces and stood up for their social and political rights. Mass demonstrations were held in Valletta while Maltese leaders were discussing a new constitution for Malta. The angry crowds attacked the British flag and destroyed a number of properties. Four unarmed Maltese were killed by British soldiers.
An exhibition by Heritage Malta will explain the circumstances which led to the Maltese uprising against the British colonial government on the Sette Giugno, and its consequences in the local scenario.
IN THE NAME
OF THE FATHER
Tuesday 14 May
9:30pm on TVM 2
MISSING
Tuesday 21 May
9:30pm on TVM 2
ROMA
CITTA APERTA
Tuesday 4 June
9:30pm on TVM 2
SETTE GIUGNO BOOK
This book is a collection of truly original writings and reflections penned by main thinkers and experts on the history of our native country and forefathers which is set to be of inestimable utility for researches, scholars and the general public looking for new information about the politico-constitutional and socio-economic development of our society.