The 2025 cultural programme for the Valletta Cultural Agency (VCA) has been launched and is filled with various activities of different genres through the end of the year, the Ministry for National Heritage said in a statement on Monday.
Among the new productions, the ministry said that the concert 'Ilħna li Jibqgħu: Klassiċi Maltin' (Our Voices that Remain: Maltese Classics) will be staged, commemorating some of the best singers in the history of Maltese music. It added that this year there will also be 'TISBIT', a dynamic percussion concert by the students of The Clef House.
The ministry stated that during Holy Week, a traditional installation will be staged using hundreds of torches in St George's Square, and a production at Splendid will be staged by theatre personalities Joseph Galea and Carlos Farrugia.
Minister Owen Bonnici said that this year's cultural programme for the VCA is another step to continue strengthening the cultural sector and beautifying the capital city. He continued that these initiatives not only offer spaces for artistic expression and creativity, but continue attracting more visitors and strengthening the creative economy.
"Valletta is a gem of heritage and culture, and through this programme, we will ensure that it remains a vibrant centre of artistic and cultural activities for the Maltese and the Gozitans, and the tourists who visit us," he commented.
The Chairman of the VCA, Jason Micallef, said that the agency "has designed a detailed programme to offer a variety of activities that celebrate our artistic heritage while welcoming new creative expressions". He continued that this programme shows the VCA's commitment to continue strengthening the cultural programme for Valletta.
The CEO of the VCA, Catherine Tabone, stated: "After the success of Verdi's Requiem last November, the events during Christmas, and the production of the opera l'Alpino last weekend, the cultural programme for 2025 reflects the mission of the Valletta Cultural Agency to create meaningful artistic experiences that involve, inspire, and connect people."
Tabone added that this year, the VCA will continue challenging creative boundaries with new productions, large-scale events, and unique collaborations "that will strengthen Valletta's role as a cultural centre".
The ministry said that the 11th edition of the Valletta Green Festival will be celebrated in April, and added that a "wonderful garden will be created again in St George's Square". It continued that the Valletta Local Food Festival will be staged in July in the Upper Barracks. The ministry added that the cultural programme includes many other large-scale collaborations, including 'Opera in the Capital' and 'Christmas in the Capital', as well as numerous exhibitions, concerts, and theatrical productions.
It added that towards the end of the year, the VCA will open the exhibition 'Antler Cry', which the ministry said presents Anthony Catania's reinterpretation of the legend of Actaeon. It also said that the Strada Stretta programme continues with Legends of Strait Street, Kantawturi, Sferatika and Strettaçȁo.
The ministry said that the Valletta Design Cluster continues to unite art and design, and invites designers, students, and anyone familiar with the field to join this programme of talks, courses, community activities, and more. It added that at the core of the programme, one finds Tinkering Day, the FiftySix Design Talks, The Art of Making series, and a number of sessions hosted by members of the studios.