The Curious Case of the Kunsill’s Missing Għana Statue

Chapter 1: The Disappearing Act in Sliema

In the bustling seaside town of Sliema, where the promenade was usually graced by families munching on ħobż biż-żejt and tourists snapping pics of Manoel Island, pandemonium struck. The local Kunsill had just inaugurated a statue dedicated to the age-old Maltese tradition of Għana, complete with a bronze figurine of a revered Għannej, microphone in hand.

The celebrations, however, were cut short. Come morning, residents woke up to an empty pedestal – the Għana statue, known affectionately as ‘L-Għannej ta’ Tigne’, had vanished without a trace! Uwejja, how could this be?

Chapter 2: The Ragtag Team

Enter the makeshift detective squad: Zeppi, a retired bus driver with a secret passion for Sherlock Holmes novels, and Cettina, the local Qassata Queen, who could sense a plot twist from a mile away.

“This smells fishier than a Sunday morning at Marsaxlokk market!” Cettina declared, as she and Zeppi examined the empty plinth, pastizzi crumbs falling from her apron.

Chapter 3: The Plot Thickens in Mdina

The investigation led the duo to Mdina, The Silent City. Zeppi, tapping into his inner detective, had heard whispers of a secretive collector of Maltese memorabilia, with a particular fondness for statues that sang (or looked like they could).

“Jekk that statue could talk, it would probably sing a ballata about being smuggled through the Mdina ditch at midnight,”

Zeppi mused, staring at the ancient walls that echoed with secrets.

Chapter 4: The Stolen Għana Social Media Scandal

In a twist no one saw coming, social media was soon abuzz with selfies featuring what seemed to be L-Għannej ta’ Tigne, posing in various touristic spots across the island. The captions? A mish-mash of Għana lyrics and hashtags, #StatueSelfie being the most trending.

“Missing: One (1) Singing Statue. Reward: Year’s supply of pastizzis. #HelpFindLGħannej”

Netizens speculated that it was either the world’s most brazen thief flexing their antics or a viral campaign gone wrong. Kollox was possible in this zany mystery!

Chapter 5: The Gozo Getaway

Meanwhile, an inconspicuous farmhouse in Gozo, known for its delicious rabbit stew which distracted even the sharpest of minds, harbored the next big lead. The farmhouse owner, a certain Dun Karm (no relation to the poet), confessed to a curious incident involving a mysterious overnight guest – and a life-sized bronze Għana singer in his garden.

“I thought it was my nephew’s modern art project. Strange, but kids nowadays, kollox goes!” Dun Karm sheepishly shrugged.

Chapter 6: The Great Unveiling

The tale reached its peak back in Sliema, with Zeppi and Cettina leading a flock of eager onlookers to the farmhouse. What greeted them was unexpected – a makeshift Għana festival, complete with the missing statue taking center stage, and an audience of grinning locals and perplexed tourists.

The ‘thief’ revealed themselves as an eccentric artist, Inoċenz, who had taken the statue on an island tour to breathe life into it, inspired by the belief that art should live among the people – literally. The artist orchestrated the scheme to create a social experiment, examining how art can inspire community and conversation.

Chapter 7: Happily Ever After?

As the story concluded with chuckles and head shakes, even the Kunsill couldn’t stay mad. They realized that L-Għannej ta’ Tigne had achieved more fame in his brief disappearing act than he ever could have as an inanimate object.

The statue was returned to its rightful place, albeit now a local and international legend. Zeppi was offered detective work, but he declined, claiming “ħajja ta’ bus driver kienet aktar prevedibbli!” Cettina, on the other hand, was inspired to create a new line of pastizzi shaped like famous Maltese landmarks, because why not?

And as for Inoċenz? They were commissioned to create more ‘interactive’ art, with the people of Malta ever on the lookout for the next piece to come alive. The Kunsill even introduced a new tagline: “Sliema – where the statues don’t stay put!”

As the sun dipped behind the skyline of Valletta, the gentle strumming of a guitar could be heard echo down the promenade, reminding everyone that in Malta, just when you thought you’d seen it all, along comes another twist in the tale – sometimes made of bronze.