The dying wish of Dun Anġ Seychell to see the creation of an arts centre for disabled adults at Fondazzjoni Nazareth has come to fruition today.

The ArtiKomunita’ Project — a collaborative initiative between the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, Fondazzjoni Nazareth and the Culture Ministry — is geared to enhance the residents’ quality of life through music, dance and art.

MFWS chair Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who is also the president of Dar Nazareth, was the driving force behind the project, ensuring that Dun Anġ’s pioneering legacy continues to thrive.

“During the summer months, when Dun Anġ was on his deathbed, we continued to engage in animated discussions on the future of Dar Nazareth… He was very eager to see this project realised and it fills me with satisfaction to see ArtiKomunita’ come alive today,” Ms Coleiro Preca said.

This project is innovative, because it is the first time that adults with disabilities are being provided with the opportunity to further enrich, and develop their potential in the arts with the help of professional support. The therapy services will provided by The Malta Trust Foundation, through its team at the Villabianca Centre for Music and the Arts.
 
Dun Anġ had set up the foundation in Żejtun nearly 30 years ago to provide an alternative family to persons with physical or mental disabilities who had no family or could not live with their natural family.

Today, there are three such homes in Żejtun, and ArtiKomunita’ will, through its music, dance and art therapists, deliver an additional level of wellbeing to the 30 residents.

The scope behind this project is to convey the message to society that inclusion should be perceived from a holistic perspective. 

“Inclusion is not just about accepting a person with disability, but also about providing all the possible opportunities that are accessible to others. Our goal is to keep Dun Anġ’s pioneering spirit in this sector alive,” Ms Coleiro Preca said.