In the run-up to Christmas, we met the famous Maltese TV and radio presenter, Quinton Scerri.
But interestingly enough, before becoming a showbiz star, Quinton also had success in politics.
You can find out which field suited him better in the interview with Daniel d’Amico.
So, Quinton, tell me, usually people from media like presenters and hosts use their recognition to become politicians.
In your case, it was vice versa, because you were a mayor before and now you’re a presenter, but from what I know you were related to television many years before.
Can you say something about your early career? – Daniel d’Amico.
Actually I started on TV when I was 16 years old, or even slightly younger. I used to host a youth discussion show with the participation of some 30 or 40 youths in a studio – Quinton Scerri.
Was it kind of a panel discussion?
The show was a discussion program that discussed youth-related topics. That is where it all started. At that time I also used to host radio shows, because the company I used to work for owned a radio station as well, so the management invited me to move on to TV from radio. That is where I started my career in TV and radio, and by the time you start improving on your skills and achieve further experience.
Why did you decide to become a mayor? How did the idea come to you?
I come from a village which is very fond for me. It’s a beautiful and very particular village. People are very, very humble. There is still this friendly atmosphere within the village people, so many of us know each other. It’s quite a large village with more than 16,000 people living here. I love the village and the atmosphere, the people, the surroundings a lot. Back then the village people were encouraging me to submit myself for the election of a mayor and that is when I decided to run for the election back then.
So, now we were walking in your city and everybody was like:
“Hi Quinton, how are you doing?”. Everybody knows you, everybody loves you. Was that even 10 years ago when you were elected?
Or there was less recognition at that time?
I never gazed at that because it’s natural for me. I also live in the village’s main square. So you get to know the people and the surroundings very easily. But it’s natural for us in this village to say good morning to people that you might not know or just know by sight.
Is it the culture of Malta? Or just this particular village?
It is the culture of Malta, we are lucky that we still have quite the authenticity of an old village. Despite being quite a large village and having a lot of people coming to live here, either from other villages or even from abroad, we still have that authentic feeling that you know the people, you say hello, you greet people. On Sunday mornings many of us still find time to either attend the mass or visit one of the social clubs in the center of the village to meet friends over a beer or two.
Youth clubs?
Actually we have political, football and band clubs.
The band clubs in Żabbar are very popular and both claim that they are 140 years old. Their main purpose is to organize the village feast in September in honor of Our Lady of the Grace. I happen to be the president of one of the clubs; the greens.
Is this feast, in September, the largest event?
The feast is considered one of the largest organized throughout summer. The village is very popular for the street marches, the motorcycle and bicycle pilgrimage, and the strong devotion to Our Lady of the Grace. As of mid-August we started organizing a lot of events for the youths and families leading up to the day of the feast which is normally on the second weekend of September.
It’s a unique atmosphere that you barely find anywhere in the world. In Fact the Maltese Festa has been lately recognized as Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage. Streets are all decorated with fabric, with lights, statues, and other artifacts. We also have two large fabric hand-painted umbrellas which are considered amongst the largest in the world and unique. Despite being religious in nature, the feasts are also social feasts where everyone meets to enjoy the unique atmosphere.
Why did you decide to return to show business? Why did you leave politics?
Oh, it’s a little bit complicated. I resigned from mayor back then after a controversial fall away with a left-wing movement within the Labour Party. Back then I got elected with the largest votes in the history of Malta, so that is nearly 5,000 votes which unfortunately created a lot of jealousy which made it very difficult to work in such an environment.
Are you still holding that record?
Yes, I’m still holding that record.
Beyond records, my biggest disappointment is that I’ve been given a very strong mandate which I was stopped to deliver. In two years we were implementing a lot of reforms, implementing changes, developing projects, and creating a notable cultural program. Citizens were very proud of these achievements, but unfortunately, dirty politics halted all the positive progress, which to date is still much needed for our beloved locality.
Do you want to return to politics in the future?
I went out for the election of the mayor because I wanted to do the most out of it for the village. I never stood up for the Mayor with the intent to go out for national elections.
The bi-partisan system in Malta bounds you to affiliate yourself to a political party in order to progress something which I do not intend to do for various reasons.
I am also a host on the national broadcaster and we are bound from siding with any political party or engaging in any political activity to ensure impartiality.
So, now you’re a host of the show called Skjetti?
It used to be skjetti. Skjetti means straight to the point in Maltese. Today the name of the show is Popolin. If you translate it into English it will be ‘the commoners’ or ‘the citizens’.
What is the show about?
Popolin is a discussion program that showcases thought-provoking and insightful reporting with a focus on investigative and unprecedented stories. Its mission is to feature important and underreported stories with the quality, depth, and time they deserve. The show airs every Wednesday, prime time on TVM.
Do you also produce your present show?
Yes, I have a production team but I am the executive producer of the show and the host as well.
Were you the executive producer of your past shows as well?
Most of them yes, not all of them, but most of the shows especially in the recent years I was the executive producer.
Is Popolin having high ratings right now?
Yes, currently Popolin is the most popular discussion program in Malta and the fifth most-watched program in Malta.
Do you have any projects in the future or maybe some ideas of the possible projects that you would like to produce?
At the moment I’m pretty much focused on the present show and I’m doing my utmost to deliver the best product possible.
How did the idea of this show come to you?
I love doing discussion programs, and the editorial team at the station seems to be happy with me hosting discussion programs, so that is where the idea came over to create a discussion program that is open for the general public to come and discuss, being a balanced and fair program when discussing any subject.
So that is the principle of the program and maybe that’s why it’s so popular at the moment.
Interviewer: Daniel d’Amico.
