The Cultural Programme for 2024, drawn up by the Cultural Agency for Valletta, has been launched. This programme features high-level cultural events in the heart of Valletta and the Grand Harbour.
Launching the programme, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici stated that “This programme shall be offering a diversified show with the participation of many local and international artists, right in the heart of Valletta.” He added that direct and continuous investments such as this within the developing cultural and creative sector enable greater accessibility to artists, creatives and society as a whole.
The Chairperson of the Cultural Agency for Valletta, Jason Micallef, stated that, “The Cultural Agency for Valletta has carefully designed a programme from the heart to celebrate an important stage of its journey – the fifth anniversary since the beginning of our Agency.”
“Our unwavering commitment to bring quality culture to everyone is stronger than ever”, he added.
Catherine Tabone (photo), the Agency’s CEO, said that in recent years, “the VCA has cultivated several cultural collaborations” – both international and local. Furthermore, she continued that the Agency intends to continue to do so through its projects, such as its “Requiem of Verdi”.
“Through this, the Agency continues to confirm its mission to give a voice to culture in its various forms for everyone”, she said.
Amongst other announcements, among the new productions to be staged are “L-Għanja li Ħadd Ma Jsikket” – a production that will pay homage to Ray Mahoney, one of the giants in Maltese literature and poetry.
This year will also see the Valletta Pageant of the Seas – a festival in the Grand Harbour that is organised every two years, as well as Verdi’s Requiem, a main event in the programme that will be staged in collaboration with the prestigious choir of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia from Rome. This will join KorMalta, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, and four soloists – two of which are Maltese – that have established themselves on the international scene.
During Holy Week, hundreds of torches will be staged in St. George’s Square in a traditional installation. The Agency shall also assist in the production organised by the theatre personalities, Joseph Galea and Carlos Farrugia. Another play titled “Tarah Wiċċ Alla” will link art with the vital calling of life and shall also convey a message in favour of organ donation.
May shall witness the tenth edition of the Valletta Green Festival. This will feature the installation of a garden in one of Valletta’s main open spaces. The cultural programme features several other large-scale collaborations, including the Opera in the Capital, the Valletta Local Food Festival, many exhibitions, concerts, and theatre productions.
The Agency is also working on a retrospective exhibition that includes around 30 figurative and abstract works by local artist Anthony Spagnol.
Strada Stretta’s programme shall continue with Tribute to the Roots, the exhibition Simple Expressions of Complex Thoughts, Soundscapes, Cuban Anthem, Strait to the Blues, Definitely Dylan, Strada Stretta Styles and Holidays Rock!.
The Valletta Design Cluster shall continue uniting art and design. It invites designers, students, and anyone familiar with the field to join this programme of talks, courses, and much more. More information can be found about the Valletta’s Cultural Agency and its Cultural Programme on its website and Facebook page.