Project Disintegration
The year is 2068, and certain confidential files from the European Commission have been declassified and released to the public. One of these is the file on Project Disintegration, a controversial initiative that spanned the early decades of the 21st century; as part of a two-speed Europe initiative, certain countries, particularly those on the peripheries of Europe, were encouraged to appropriate the culture of neighbouring continents. In an elaborate process of systematic narrative-spinning and the rewriting of particular histories, the small Mediterranean island of Malta was used as a test-case in the initiative.
Over the course of almost ten years, the island-state was slowly convinced of the strength of its Arab origins, and encouraged to leave the EU to align with nearby Arab states. The then European Capital of Culture project, which was originally created to share a common European culture among member states, was appropriated by the European Commission’s DG for Disintegration to push the Arabification agenda in Malta. Thus, Valletta’s title of European Capital of Culture 2018 could be used to further the DG’s plans. Through a programme of sensitisation and re-education, the island’s population was actively encouraged to identify with its Arab neighbours.
The Research
Project Disintegration, an examination of art as protest and protest as art - a Masters Dissertation.
Project Disintegration, an examination of art as protest and protest as art - a Masters Dissertation.

project_disintegration.pdf |
Planning Permission
Six little-used theatres in Malta were earmaked for conversion into Mosques. In a community initiative, the under-utilised theatres were destined to be put to better use as Arab community centres. The centres would allow access to all faiths, however emphasis was to be
put on the Islamic faith, with a mosque to be included in all of the theatres. |
Arab food
The ExhibitionThe exhibition consisted of various artefacts, historic documents and additional documentation relating to the Project.
The multi-media exhibition made the documentation and information released accessible to the public, and allowed the Maltese to reflect on their recent and not-so-recent histories. The exhibition was housed in the Atrium of Spazju Kreattiv within St James Cavalier in Valletta. A palm tree within the space set the tone for the exhibition. |
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