Festivals Malta

Malta International Arts Festival White.png

RUBEN

ZAHRA

Artistic Director

Ruben Zahra - Artistic Director's Foreword

As the measures surrounding the pandemic are gradually lifted, the Malta International Arts Festival (MIAF) is pioneering what it means to safely produce cultural events in keeping with the continued measures against COVID-19. MIAF does not only ‘programme’ events but also ‘curates’ productions by proposing new collaborations, fostering interdisciplinary expression and connecting local talent with international artists. The programming for MIAF is driven by artistic excellence and embraces all demographics – leading to family friendly productions as well as community events. This past year has taught us that the online video format is a highly creative medium with the capacity to engage wide audiences and therefore we are including new video productions in this year’s edition of the festival whereby each production is curated, directed, filmed and edited as an artwork. We invite you to join us on an exciting and eclectic journey … which may take you out of your comfort zone ... but that will certainly captivate and entertain.

Annabelle Stivala - CEO Foreword

It is my pleasure to welcome you this edition of the Malta International Arts Festival.

Arts festivals are held all throughout different parts of the world, with the aim of creating an experience of diverse artistic cultures, and Malta’s International Arts Festival is no exception. Through MIAF we manage to offer a holistic cultural experience through an artistically rich performing arts programme. We take great pride in the fact that MIAF offers local artists the unique opportunity to collaborate with some of the most talented international artists through residencies and other projects.

Given the restrictions brought forth by the global pandemic, this year the MIAF will mainly focus on local artists, in effort to promote their work, while providing them with an opportunity to perform and showcase their talents after such challenging times.

We hope you enjoy this year’s programme of events as much as we have enjoyed programming it!

ANNABELLE

STIVALA

CEO

Programme of Events

Fejn il-Baħar

28 June 2021 - 8.30PM

MIAF and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra collaborate on a stunning video production featuring a new arrangement of the rock classic Down by the Water by The Characters.

Chamber Concert

3 July 2021 - 8.30PM

An exhilarating musical journey across a contemporary musical landscape, featuring chamber works by Veronique Vella, Philip Glass, Joe Vella, Makiko Kinoshita, Scott McAllister, and Krzysztof Penderecki.

MAD - Hero Image - photo by Darrin Zammi

M.A.D. Music & Dance

7 July 2021 - 8.30PM

A dance residency leading to the creation of three new choreographies set to piano works by Antoniou, Bartók, and Messiaen, performed live by Greek pianist Konstantinos Destounis.

Bartók
Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta

10 July 2021 - 8.30PM

A tour de force performance of 20th century and contemporary masterworks under the baton of Czech conductor Pavel Šnajdr.

Barcelona Guitar Trio

11 July 2021 - 8PM

A unique concert featuring the virtuosity, humour, and beautiful flamenco-driven compositions of the internationally praised Barcelona Guitar Trio.

The Elements
WATER - EARTH - FIRE - AIR

12 July 2021 - 8.30PM

Featuring over 60 students from 21 local dance schools, this videodance project presents the four elements (water, earth, fire, and air) in a choreography that transitions seamlessly across the scenes.

ZfinMalta - Artist 01 by MATT THOMPSON.j

Funk

20 July 2021 - 8.30PM

MIAF collaborates with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and ŻfinMalta on a new choreography by Paolo Mangiola set to the trio Funk by Scott McAllister.

Twisting Landscapes

22 July 2021 - 8.30PM

MIAF collaborates with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and ŻfinMalta on a new choreography by Paolo Mangiola set to the trio Twisting Landscapes by Makiko Kinoshita.

Mishima

23 July 2021 - 8.30PM

MIAF collaborates with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and ŻfinMalta on a new choreography by Paolo Mangiola set to a selection of three movements from String Quartet No. 3 by Philip Glass.

Beethoven Forever

21 July 2021 - 6PM | 24 July - 11AM

A family-friendly performance that takes the audience on an exciting journey through excerpts from all of Beethoven’s nine symphonies.

Guilhem Desq
Cancelled

30, 31 July 2021 - 8.30PM

Nicknamed the ‘Hendrix of the hurdy-gurdy’, Guilhem Desq breathes new life into this medieval instrument by playing a wide variety of traditional and contemporary genres.