YOU-ROPEAN? in pursuit of the European dream

On Saturday 16 March, we debuted the contemporary theatre production "YOU-ROPEAN? in pursuit of the European dream" at the newly reopened Maritime Museum in Birgu. Designed intentionally for the 2024 European elections in collaboration with Hoi Polloi Malta and Heritage Malta, this captivating performance delves into the complexities of Maltese and European identity, conjuring a mix of imagined and relatable, everyday-life vignettes 20 years after Malta's accession to the EU.

Each of the 27 countries comprising the EU possesses its own unique history, culture and traditions. However, amid this diversity, what brings us together? What fundamental values and principles do we cherish? How do we honour and safeguard our differences while aiming for a unified, fair, and inclusive Europe? Two decades after Malta's integration into the EU, can we truly envision ourselves as European citizens? All of these themes and questions informed the piece, which poked fun at certain situations we may find ourselves in or encounter while navigating a world that's increasingly being shaped by EU policy, whether we recognise it or not.

Designed to appeal to audiences of all ages, the performance features two main actors who slip into different roles for each scene, some of which incorporate interactive elements. Case in point, these included a televised quiz and a post-show Q&A session with the actors and our team. Through the stream of lively, thought-provoking sketches, cultures collide, voices are heard, knowledge is tested, compromises are struck, and identities are examined. With the European elections on the horizon, the audience was invited to explore the pivotal role of the EU in our daily lives. The simple yet engaging play encourages us to think deeply about our own identity and how we fit into the larger European community.