This weekend, Cospicua will transform into a living theatre as the ninth edition of the Cospicua Short Play Festival takes place on the 18 and 19 September in the Santa Margerita area, the Ministry for Local Government and Public Works said in a statement. 

This was announced by the Minister for Local Government and Public Works Alison Zerafa Civelli, together with the Mayor of Cospicua Marco Agius, in the presence of representatives and participants involved in the festival.

This year, the festival will present seven competitive plays and two guest productions: Esplora and Opening Doors. The competitive productions were selected from 45 scripts submitted following an open call for writers. The seven selected writers then chose the directors, actors, and groups who will bring their works to life.

Zerafa Civelli said that initiatives like this demonstrate the important role Local Councils play in promoting culture and strengthening communities. 

"The Cospicua Short Play Festival is a clear example of how Local Councils can create space for Maltese artists, while bringing culture closer to the community and breathing new life into our public spaces," the Minister said. 

She emphasised that the government will continue to support cultural initiatives of this kind that foster local talent, strengthen the identity of localities, and attract audiences from across the country.

Agius thanked the government for the assistance and support provided to ensure this event continues to take place and grow. He stated that this support is crucial for the Local Council to continue investing in cultural activities that strengthen the Cospicua community and place the town on the country's cultural map.

The Festival's Artistic Director, Joseph Galea, explained that as part of this year's edition, the Cospicua Local Council has also launched the first phase of the Cospicua Short Play Festival website. This platform will serve to increase the visibility of the festival, the productions, and the artists who have brought this initiative to life over the years. 

The Cospicua Short Play Festival was held for the first time in 2018, when the Cospicua Local Council applied for a cultural funding scheme with the aim of creating a robust cultural project that would impact both the local community and the artistic sector. Since then, the festival has grown and established itself as a significant event - not only for Cospicua but also within the country's cultural and theatrical calendar.

Over the years, the festival has served as a vital platform for emerging artists to experiment and hone their skills, while offering established artists the opportunity to further explore diverse theatrical ideas and forms, the Ministry said.