Malta Design Week, which starts tomorrow, is a seven-day event, spread across various cultural and commercial venues and fashioned to promote and celebrate good design.
Its primary aim is to provide an environment for local talent to interact, experience, discuss and be inspired by multiple design disciplines.
Hosting exhibitions, talks and workshops, it is a platform for local and foreign designers, architects, artists, artisans, journalists, critics, academics and entrepreneurs.
The event boasts an extensive programme of events, incorporating cross-border design disciplines and practices. Its launch coincides with this year’s Notte Bianca and World Architecture Day.
While the main design week events are being held at the Old University Building in Merchants Street, Valletta, satellite events are also being organised in galleries, furniture and design stores, rundown buildings, artists’ and artisans’ studios and showrooms.
Some of the foremost international promoters and creators of good design are giving the talks and workshops, while up-and-coming as well as established Maltese talent are being showcased.
The design week aims to combine young creativity with the established design brands represented in Malta to make it a cultural and also a high-profile, commercial event.
Its long-term aim is to establish Malta as a hub for Mediterranean creativity. Through collaboration and cross-fertilisation, it should develop into a biennial or annual event that could help develop healthy relationships between manufacturing businesses and designers.
The design week also hopes to put local design in closer contact with the realities of the international market. Given the proper resources and international coverage, it could also serve to promote cultural tourism.
The event is being financed by the Malta Arts Fund, the Good Causes Fund and Bank of Valletta. It is coordinated by architect Chris Briffa, Prof. Alex Torpiano, Anton Grech, Stephen Vella, Matthew James Mercieca, Justin Schembri, Liliana Vella, Matthew Casha and Lisa Gwen Bald-acchino.
www.maltadesignweek.com