Starting tomorrow and running until Sunday, 18 May, Valletta will host the Ħaġra Festival - a new event focused on the future of architecture in the Mediterranean region. Against a backdrop of environmental, cultural and social change, the festival invites architects and the broader public to engage with the critical issues shaping our built environment today.
As a historic crossroads of cultures and ideas, the Mediterranean has long been a site of exchange, innovation and resilience. Yet the region now faces unprecedented challenges: the climate crisis, resource scarcity, political instability, urban expansion and the delicate balance between heritage, preservation and modernisation. In this shifting landscape, architecture plays a vital role - both as a witness to change and as an agent of transformation.
As part of Din l-Art Ħelwa's 60th anniversary celebrations, Ħaġra Festival will offer a space for dialogue, innovation and reflection. Through a curated programme of discussions, panel debates, exhibitions and site-specific interventions, the festival aims to open up critical conversations about the present and future of architectural practice in the region. It will examine how architects and communities can navigate the complex realities of today's world while reimagining a more grounded, sustainable and inclusive future.
The festival features a variety of events
● Guided tours: Visits to the Frank Portelli Archives and The Brewhouse, as well as some keynote buildings of Local Regionalism in Malta.
● Presentations by local and international architects: Showcasing projects and design philosophies from Maltese studios (A Collective, AP Valletta, 3DM Architecture, Valentino Architects), and architects from Palestine (Elias & Yousef Anastas), Morocco (Driss Kettani), Sicily (Maurizio Oddo), France (Corinne Vezzoni), Spain (Guillermo Reynés), Greece (Agnes Couvelas) and Turkey (Emre Arolat).
● Roundtable discussions: Focusing on key issues for architects in Malta, including the challenges of practice, the debate between repurposing and demolition, refocusing on regionalism, the loss of heritage and understanding resources, the "island effect" and rethinking policy, and the future of Mediterranean architecture.
● Official launch: The launch of Malta Modernista, highlighting the importance of preserving modernist architecture in Malta.
By fostering cross-cultural exchange, Ħaġra seeks to move beyond national narratives and explore the interconnected forces shaping architecture across borders. It is a chance to hear directly from practitioners working at the forefront of these issues, and to engage in meaningful dialogue about the decisions that will shape the next generation of Mediterranean spaces.
Ħaġra Festival is about more than simply showcasing architecture; it is a call to action. In a region where environmental and social pressures are escalating, the role of architecture is increasingly political. How do we build responsibly in an era of scarcity? How do we honour historical legacies without freezing them in time? How can design serve both local communities and global challenges? The festival invites participants to grapple with these complex questions - to rethink not just what we build, but why, and for whom.
Financially supported by a group of generous sponsors and partners, Ħaġra Festival is made possible thanks to the backing of Din l-Art Ħelwa, JMV Building Solutions, The Farsons Foundation, Trident Park, Halmann Vella, JCR Imports Limited, AGM Group, the Turkish Embassy in Malta, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di La Valletta, Cuschieri Architects and AX Group. Their shared commitment to cultural dialogue and sustainable futures reflects the spirit of collaboration that the festival itself embodies.
Whether you are an architect, a student, a heritage professional or simply someone curious about the spaces we live in, Ħaġra Festival offers a unique opportunity to join a growing conversation. It is a space to question, to connect, and to imagine how architecture can meet the demands of a rapidly-changing world.
For more information and tickets visit www.hagra.info