The cultural season in Malta is in full swing and, as November knocks on the door, we know that it's also Three Palaces Festival season. Once again, I'm catching up with artistic director Michelle Castelletti over the ubiquitous Zoom, mostly because Michelle is making her magic happen all the way from the UK. Of course, this is the second festival edition to take place … [Read more...] about WATCH: ‘I wanted to celebrate Maltese artists’ – Michelle Castelletti, The Three Palaces Festival
ARTS
Is-Sriep Reġgħu Saru Velenużi
When Alex Vella Gera's Is-Sriep Reġgħu Saru Velenżi was first published in 2012, it won the national book prize and pretty much became a cult hit almost instantaneously. Not only due to the narrative arc itself, but for the way it effectively captured the zeitgeist of a whole decade, digging deep into our subconscious, exposing an entire nation's vulnerabilities. This, I … [Read more...] about Is-Sriep Reġgħu Saru Velenużi
Malta International Arts Festival 2021
For us culture hounds, the beginning of summer is all about one thing – the advent of the Malta International Arts Festival (MIAF), pretty much the biggest deal on the Maltese culture calendar at this time of year. This year I was unsure whether I would have anything to look forward to (thank you for nothing, COVID-19) but – happily – Festivals Malta proved my worries … [Read more...] about Malta International Arts Festival 2021
The Passage of Time – public art
As COVID-19 has made it increasingly difficult to visit museums and art in closed spaces, the concept of community outreach and art in public spaces has now gained a new dimension. Art pieces in spaces accessible to all, especially incidental footfall, are extremely important. Now, Pembroke boasts just one such addition to its public areas - The Passage of Time, an … [Read more...] about The Passage of Time – public art
Some baked bread during lockdown…
Comedian Steve Hili decided to declare himself Emperor of the micronation Zooxaloo If, like me, you've seen - and fallen in love with - the movie Rose Island on Netflix, then you know where this news is going. Rose Island is the charming, quirky, somewhat crazy tale of a young Italian man who decides to stick it to the corrupt system by creating his own little slab of … [Read more...] about Some baked bread during lockdown…