This year’s Notte Bianca will provide a formidable line-up where legendary acts will be teaming up with international artists, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said. The 2018 edition is bound to be the best Notte Bianca yet, as besides the usual enchantment it brings, this year’s programme includes an impressive range of both local and international acts offering an eclectic variety of concerts.

Bonnici said that “our cultural strategy endeavours to bring forth emerging and established Maltese Artists as professional creators. Every year Notte Bianca strives to forge international links and this is highlighted in this year’s programme, with five world-renowned foreign artists participating in this year’s edition. The objective surrounding such collaborations is to co-create multidimensional and multicultural performances while giving the opportunity to local artists to perform on stage with internationally acclaimed artists and strong line-ups.”

The five main music stages will be featuring a diverse musical assortment for everyone to enjoy. Notte Special, at St George’s square, will host the main stage of the event, featuring big names including local favourites: nosnow/noalps, Toploader, Emma Muscat with special guest Biondo and Tenishia featuring members from local Tribali.

Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Communities Silvio Parnis stated that Maltese towns, in particular the capital city as well as Vittoriosa and Mdina have different characteristics than other cities and we must cherish and appreciate them. He also said that today the local councils form an integral part of the public authorities and manage public funds to fulfil their responsibilities and therefore whilst embarking on an extensive reform of the local councils, the Secretariat will also be ensuring local councils make good use of public funds.

Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista said that Notte Bianca is an event that has been steadily developing during the years but is also getting better and constantly renewed. He stated that this is also the case for our capital city Valletta, which is also being regenerated and will continue to do so through the agency which will be set up. This will ensure an ongoing cultural legacy based on what Valletta 2018 is all about.

“We are extremely proud to present such a strong programme on our stages. Our audiences can go from one legendary act to another or just camp at one of the main stages. All this besides being able to visit all our other projects along the streets and venues of our stunning capital city. Culture takes the front seat this year, and together with our audiences, we want to make sure this is the one to remember,” said Sean Buhagiar, the festival’s Artistic Director.

Rock & Metal enthusiasts can visit Notte Metal, which features local artists Beheaded. Others can let loose to the Rastafari rhythms of Notte Reggae who will feature UK two-tone giants The Selecter along with local mainstays The Riffs and newcomers Manatapu amongst others. Notte Folk will include performances by Skals, UK based I am Willow, Claire Tonna, and Etnika, topped off with a gig by renowned Italian singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela.

The Notte Electronic stage, is headlined by German legendary pioneers Tangerine Dream with our very own Stimulus Timbre, Cynga and Fabricka.

Notte Bianca will also feature theatre and dance performances, slackline acrobatics, workshops, poetry, flamenco, clowning, burlesque, science, clay, film, and so much more.

Festivals Malta is proud that the event has reached such a high level. Director of Festivals Malta, Annabelle Stivala said, “There is no better way to experience Valletta! Our unique capital city which this year is also the European Capital of Culture, yet again becomes a stage for an extraordinary programme that embraces all art forms equally, bringing forth the Maltese artist as a professional creator.”

Saturday 6 October 2018 promises to indeed be a magnificent night with sights and sounds that will illuminate not only our beloved capital’s streets but also our hearts. The audience is invited to follow the event on social media to best understand how to experience the night.

For more information on the programme and the venues, visit www.nottebianca.org.mt.

Notte Bianca is organised by Festivals Malta within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government, with the support of Valletta 2018 Foundation, Valletta Local Council, MapfreMSV Life, and Farsons.