The Malta Jazz Festival has been held annually since 1990 between the 19th and 21st July in the picturesque backdrop of Ta' Liesse in Valletta's Grand Harbour. Ta’ Liesse is a stunning location in Valletta situated just beneath the bastions surrounding the World Heritage City. The festival has over the years created an impact on the local cultural scene. The Festival is organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts under the artistic direction of Sandro Zerafa. The Malta International Jazz Festival is known as a hub for the exchange of musical experience; an encounter between musicians of international fame and gifted local artists. As in past years, the Festival will showcase the contemporary jazz scene in all its forms, from cutting-edge jazz to flamenco fusion, from vocal to Latin jazz. The 2011 festival featured Lionel Loueke, Joao Bosco, Monty Alexander and Avishai Cohen. Highlights this year include Al di Meola, Terri Lyne Carrington and Chano Dominguez.

The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230 Republic Str., Valletta VLT 1116, Malta
E-mail: info@maltaculture.com

Joshua Redman at Malta Jazz Festival 2010
Photograph by Santucci Photo

The Malta Arts Festival, which will be held between the 1st and 18th of July 2012, has an extensive programme of excellent artistic events including music, theatre, dance and a visual arts exhibition. The Malta Arts Festival has invited top performers of international repute in its constant commitment to present to its audiences events of the highest quality. Foreign and Maltese artists are expected to appear on the Festival’s platform in a three-week extravaganza of artistic events. The Festival direction is confident that the programme of events, covering an array of diverse styles and genres, will appeal to audiences of all demographics. Featuring an extensive assortment of workshops, talks, demonstrations, and performances, Theatre Week offers theatre practitioners and enthusiasts a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some of today’s most distinguished thespian visionaries. A string of world-renowned artists and ensembles performing in this year’s edition continues to make the Malta Arts Festival one of the most sought-after events in the Maltese Cultural calendar. While aiming at highlighting Maltese artistic identity the Festival projects Maltese art within a wider European dimension as well as promoting diversity and collaboration in order to ensure the highest possible standards. Particular attention is given to present the Festival audiences more popular events that appeal to a broad audience with different styles and tastes for all.

Mail / Postal address: The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts 230 Republic Str., Valletta VLT 1116, Malta
E-mail: info@maltaculture.com

Malta’s Carnival dates back several hundred years to the 16th century when Maltese and the Knights of St John would hold a week-long event leading up to Ash Wednesday. Today, carnival is celebrated in numerous towns and villages, but especially in Valletta, Floriana and Nadur, Gozo. It is a riot of colour with decorated floats and extravagant costumes and also an excuse for families to join in the merrymaking and marvel at the inventiveness of the float designers and crews. The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts organises the official carnival festivities that take place in Valletta from the Friday until the following Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. On the last day, a big Carnival defile ends in the main street of Floriana with a fireworks display. Some of the events are held inside an enclosure close to Freedom Square in Valletta. The events held here may be attended against a nominal fee.

Mail / Postal address: The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts 230 Republic Str., Valletta VLT 1116, Malta
E-mail: info@maltaculture.com

Malta Carnival
Photograph by Francis Xavier Camilleri

Notte Bianca is held in Valletta each year and is a spectacular, night-long celebration of culture and the arts in Malta’s capital. The streets and cultural venues come alive with a programme of entertainment designed to hold something of appeal for everyone. Cultural venues, state palaces and museums open their doors almost all night, with many playing host to visual art exhibitions, dance and theatre performances. Streets and squares become venues for open-air concerts, while many cafes and restaurants extend their hours and also run pavement stalls. All art and musical forms are represented from classical to pop and contemporary. The Malta Council for Culture & the Arts organises Notte Bianca with the support of the Ministry for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. The event sees Valletta become an ‘open city’ of culture. The programme is designed to ensure every area of Valletta is involved, from City Gate to the far end of the peninsula.

Mail / Postal address: The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts 230 Republic Str., Valletta VLT 1116, Malta
E-mail: info@maltaculture.com

Għanafest- Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival is a fabulous three day festival of Mediterranean folk music. Besides għana (Maltese folksong), the festival presents a selection of local folk ensembles, Maltese songwriters and folk musicians from neighbouring Mediterranean countries. The backbone of Għanafest is a showcase of Maltese folksong in all its different styles featuring around 50 għanneja (folk singers) and 20 guitarists. It includes the Nisġa Project with an up-beat programme of World Music, Middle Eastern influences, Flamenco, Jazz and local traditional instruments. Another ethnic combo is Hamam, led by Andrew Alamango featureing musicians from Malta, Italy and Turkey. This year’s programme will also present a selection of Marċi tal-Festa which constitute an important part of Malta’s music heritage. It also hosts a series of workshops on traditional instruments and a special programme for children. A wonderful event ideal for the whole family complemented by traditional Maltese food and the marvellous surroundings of the Argotti botanical gardens in Floriana, situated within walking distance from Valletta. Tickets: €3 and €7 for a three day block ticket available at the door. Parking is available at the Floriana Boy Scouts headquarters next to the venue.

Mail / Postal address: The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts 230 Republic Str., Valletta VLT 1116, Malta
E-mail: info@maltaculture.com

Għanafest 2011, Big Band Brothers feat. Justin Galea
Photograph by Liam Farrugia