This weekend, the Sliema promenade will be bursting with colour and music jams as the Sliema Arts Festival will be held between Friday 17 and Sunday 19.
Over 40 local and international street artists will be transforming the promenade and gardens into pots of arts and over 50 musicians will be performing near the beach.
This will be the third edition of the festival, with the first one held in 2013. The idea was first put forward by the Sliema Local Council and a number of local artists.
In comments to The Malta Independent, Sliema mayor and illustrator Pierre Portelli said that the festival has positive feedback each year and as a result more artists are putting forward requests to participate.
This year, a short film festival will also be held at the Independence Gardens, organized by Chris Zarb, who organized the Valletta Film Festival in June.
The festival has five main areas – The first two areas are at The Independence Gardens where the main stage and the photography and art area will be set up. The third area is the Alternative/ Indie Music area, Rock the Beach, being led by organisers of Rock the South Malta. Duncan X and other DJs will lead the Chill out by Day/ Party by Night Area – where yoga sessions and watersports will be held in the morning, with the area being transformed into an outdoor club in the evening. The fifth area is the Reggae Area, being led by Juuls. Two Reggae artists from Jamaica and Barbados will perform.
The local council have even thought about parking and have teamed up with Midi Plc and SIS ltd operators of Tigne Point car park, offering a park and ride system for only €2 from 8pm to 1am all weekend.
Some of the local artists presenting their artwork include Elisa von Brockdroff, Riots, Cooker, Chris Zarb and Architecture Project (AP). International artists include M.TO. from France, Inkie from the United Kingdom, Dmn Ology from the United States, Burn on from Denmark and Sime from Spain.
Musicians taking part include nosnow/noalps, bark bark disco, Cat Cake, Alex Alden, Mikaela and Bass Culture.
Art will be exposed all the way from Peppi’s to Surfside. Last year, the festival attracted over 10,000 visitors.
The Festival is being held with the collaboration of the Sliema Local Council, V18 Foundation, Malta Arts Council and other sponsors.
Photos Jonathan Borg