STYLE IN-DEPTH
MARC CABOURDIN
“We have to get our hands dirty – it’s not just about hosting a performance, but about mixing things up and bringing people together.”
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M
arc Cabourdin is one of the V18 Foundation’s programme directors, as well as the artistic director for the recently opened Wignacourt Museum in Rabat. He is also a prolific actor and director. “I’d like to think that I am still developing towards my cultural highlight; there’s been a lot of hard work so far and every step has been a milestone, but there is so much still to be done. I look forward to working on the vision that will move us forward culturally, whether that’s a community project or something on a national level. “Culture can be so broad or so specific. A recent endeavour I was thrilled to be part of was When You Hear My Voice, which engaged some of Malta’s prisoners in an acting project and performance. Culture doesn’t just touch actors, directors and artists, but helps all kinds of people to see themselves in a different light. It develops one’s emotional intelligence because it opens you up to all sorts of facets. “I believe people who want to get involved really need to get out there and discover what is going on; the possibilities for learning are endless. Culture here is all about heritage, which is great, but should also be about sport, art, community and your locality. Being a cultured person doesn’t make you elitist, but it gives you a grounding of life and an awareness of what’s going on around you. “The good news is that culture is becoming more popular; people are talking about it and being inquisitive. I think our remit should be the professionalisation of culture – taking it to the next level. Education is vital and we need to get children involved at a young age so that everything becomes second nature. We have to get our hands dirty – it’s not just about hosting a performance, but about mixing things up and bringing people together. Money and infrastructure shouldn’t hold us back, and conversation should drive us. “Of course there’s no formula… but, if you fail, you can pick yourself up and try again. Trial, error, innovation and community are the pillars of culture, and we mustn’t forget that it should always be great fun, too.”