MUSIC
Malta International Organ Festival
The ninth edition of the festival comes to a close today, with a baroque vocal concert titled Amore Sacro – Amore Profano.
Renowned Italian soprano Roberta Mameli will perform pieces revolving around love, lust and passion. She will be accompanied by musicians Luca Oberti (organ) and Noelia Reverte Reche (viola da gamba).
The concert starts at 8pm. For tickets, log on to www.ticketline.com.mt.
Read more about the concert here.
An Afternoon Across Europe
Violinist Matthew Zammit and emerging pianist Amy Borg will perform during a concert at Our Lady of Victory church in Valletta today at 12.30pm. They will present the music of three European composers: Norwegian Edvard Grieg, Italian Tomaso Antonio Vitali and Polish Henryk Wieniawski.
After the concert, patrons are invited to the cellar of the church to watch a short audiovisual show about the church, its history and its recent restoration.
The event is organised by the Barrocco Foundation in collaboration with Din L-Art Ħelwa. Entrance to the concert is at a suggested donation of €10. One can obtain the tickets prior to the concert from the venue or by e-mailing baroccomalta@gmail.com or calling 7968 0952.
Violinist Matthew ZammitFILM
Spanish Film Days: Intemperie
Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta is today showing the 2019 Spanish film Intemperie (Out in the Open).
The film, directed by Benito Zambrano, is set in a remote place in Andalucía (south of Spain) in the midst of the post-war period, when a child escapes from his village, looking for freedom.
Certified 15, the drama will be shown at 7.30pm. Entrance is free but tickets must be reserved.
The film is being screened courtesy of the Spanish Embassy.
Week of Legends
The Eden Cinemas, in St Julian’s is paying homage to music legends Queen, Elton John, Elvis Presley and David Bowie by screening their latest biopics.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Rocketman (2019), Elvis (2022) and Moonage Daydream (2022) are showing until today.
For showtimes and tickets, log on to edencinemas.com.mt.
Austin Butler in the title role in Baz Luhrman's Elvis (2022).Month of European Film
The Eden Cinemas in St Julian's is today showing the 2021 Serbian film The Only Way Out as part of the Month of European Film. The thriller, certified 15, will be shown in its original language with English subtitles.
Across Europe, partner cinemas in 35 countries from Reykjavik to Athens, from Lisbon to Bucharest, but also including small towns and networks, are highlighting European films, presenting special programmes, events and dedicated retrospectives for four weeks.
The Month of European Film kicked off on November 13 with the European Arthouse Cinema Day and the European Film Academy’s Young Audience Award. Instead of a uniform catalogue, each participating cinema is creating a unique programme according to their expertise and catering to their audience’s taste. The Month of European Film culminates on December 10 at the 35th European Film Awards in Reykjavik, Iceland.
For tickets and more info, click here.
Andjelka Prpic in The Only Way Out (2021)CHRISTMAS EVENTS
Christmas in the Capital
Valletta is hosting a programme of Christmas-related activities until the end of December.
There are Christmas trees in Freedom Square, Republic Street and Merchants Street, Christmas lights in Republic and Merchants streets, an artistic light installation in South Street and a crib next to St John's Co-Cathedral.
The programme, organised by the Valletta Cultural Agency, includes various music and artistic performances throughout the coming weeks, and will culminate with the New Year's Eve concert in St George's Square on December 31.
For details of the programme, visit vca.gov.mt.
Christmas lights illuminating Republic Street, Valletta. Photo: Jonathan BorgValletta Waterfront Christmas Wonderland
The Valletta Waterfront is once again turning into a Christmas Wonderland for the festive season.
Among others, there is a 35-foot Christmas tree, Santa’s House complete with its own garden and workshop, a traditional Maltese crib and colourful, handcrafted characters adorning the promenade such as a massive Nutcracker Soldier and an endearing Gingerbread Man.
A whole programme of activities is also planned for the coming month. For more information, visit the Valletta Waterfront's Facebook page.
VISUAL ARTS
Legends
A collection of contemporary works by Hudson Foundation founder and chairman Alfie Borg is on display at Kettles cafeteria at The Brewhouse in Mrieħel.
HIs mixed-media works depict all-time legends from the world of art, sport, music, film and social history, who have inspired Borg in different stages of his life.
All the proceeds from the sale of the art pieces will go towards the Hudson Foundation, which seeks to ‘give a voice to the voiceless’ and focuses on supporting abandoned dogs, disadvantaged children and the environment.
Legends runs until tomorrow, December 7.
Off-Kilter
A solo exhibition by artist and illustrator Marisa Attard at Gallery 23 in Idmejda Street, Balzan, is closing tomorrow.
The exhibition is open tomorrow from 6.30 to 8pm. Viewing can also be arranged by appointment on 9942 8272 or by e-mailing info @gallery23malta.com.
For more information, visit the gallery's Facebook page. Also read this review by Ġorġ Mallia.
Iz-Zalzett by Marisa AttardIt's All Paperwork
An exhibition of sculptures in Maltese globigerina limestone by Antoine Farrugia is on display at the Parliament building in Valletta until Sunday, December 11.
The stone is transformed into what can be perceived as almost sheets of paper, from origami to scrolls of paper and other shapes which seem to defy gravity.
It’s All Paperwork, held under the patronage of Anġlu Farrugia, speaker of the House of Representatives, is organised by the Valletta Cultural Agency. Log on to the event’s Facebook page for more information.
Artsy Christmas
A selection of Christmas-related artworks and more by a number of artists is on show at the Art by the Seaside gallery in Senglea.
The collective exhibition, as the name indicates, is linked to the Christmas season, having a wide range of hand-made arts, from candles, to jewellery to Christmas decorations and obviously wall hanging works.
Participating artists include Kevin Attard, Dave Calleja, David Debono, Rebecca Ranieri, Thomas Scerri and Kevin Sciberras, among many others.
Artsy Christmas runs until Sunday, December 11. Refer to the venue’s Facebook page for more information.
A sculpture by Dave Calleja on display at the Artsy Christmas exhibition.Mediterranean Dreams Part 2
Following his exhibition titled Mediterranean Dreams, Kenneth Zammit Tabona presents the second chapter in his idyllic depictions of our country’s way of life.
The over 30 watercolour works are 'fuoridentros' in which gardens, pockets of landscapes, chapels, watchtowers and Montgolfiers are observed through open windows, thus bringing the outside in.
Mediterranean Dreams 2, curated by Charlene Vella, Mdina, is on display at Xara Palace in Mdina until December 22. Part of the proceeds from sales will be donated to Id-Dar tal-Providenza.
Consult the artist’s Facebook page for more information.
Gabarrón: The Colours of Hope
Spazju Kreattiv is hosting an exhibition by Spanish artist Cristóbal Gabarrón dedicated to the United Nations, with his work focusing on the universe of peace, parliamentarism, freedom and human rights.
Apart from the main exhibition, the project also includes a public installation at St George's Square, Valletta, entitled Universo de Luz (Enlightened Universe), and an AMBIT event at Ġgantija Temples, Xagħra, that brought together artistic creations on biodiversity and the values of integral heritage that will travel the five continents.
The exhibition, curated by Rupert Cefai, runs until Sunday, December 11. For more information, visit kreattivita.org.
Works by Cristóbal Gabarrón on display at Spazju Kreattiv. Photo: Elisa von BrockdorffThe Malta Photographic Society Annual Exhibition
The 57th edition of the National Competition and Exhibition of Photography, organised annually by the Malta Photographic Society, opens today at Palazzo de La Salle in Valletta, the seat of the Malta Society of Arts (MSA).
This year 74 photographers submitted around 700 photos for the competition. From these, the jury chose more than 100 works that are being exhibited as printed and framed photographs, as well as over 110 digital photos to be displayed on a monitor. The jury was made up of eight experts in the field of photography.
The competition honoured photographs in the four categories of colour prints, monochrome prints, colour projected images and monochrome projected images.
The exibition will be open until December 22; Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Entrance is free. Anyone who would like a guide should contact the MPS on info@mpsmalta.com. For more details about the exhibition visit www.artsmalta.org/events or www.facebook.com/maltasocietyofarts.
Nuances
An exhibition by Carmel Bonello and Peter Seychell is open at Gemelli Framing in Ta' Qali.
The title of the exhibition essentially defines a spectrum of inspirational sources, especially so when the whole enterprise is that between two artists who have an identifiable and very personalised style of expression.
Bonello is a veteran of the local art scene; with expressionism finding its way very earlier on into his oeuvre. He explores the world around him in full colour, black lines delineating the composition.
Seychell is a relative newcomer to the local art scene. However, his impressive intricate paintings have captured the attention of the art-loving public.
Nuances runs until December 23. Consult this Facebook group for opening hours and more information.
Photosynthesis by Peter SeychellVersatility
Veteran artist Joseph Barbara is exhibiting an array of his work, dating back to 2000 at Wignacourt Museum in Rabat.
The artist is renowned for recycling plastic mineral bottles to construct sculptures that deliver an environmental message. This exhibition, however, also includes his paintings which range from ones that have a strong pop-art imagery, featuring mostly ballroom dancers, to others having an oriental theme and on to multi-thematic collages.
Versatility runs until December 28. The museum is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.15pm.
Art at the Corinthia Palace
The Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard is hosting a collective exhibition of contemporary artworks by 13 local and international artists.
The paintings are from the Allura Art collection and range from landscapes and seascapes to florals and abstracts. They include new and previously unseen work.
The artists taking part are Andrew Borg, Christine Porter Lofaro, Jo Dounis, Kevin Sciberras, Debbie Bonello and Rosette Bonello from Malta and Christopher Saliba and Bob Cardona from Gozo. Foreign locals include British-Maltese painter Andrew Smith, Bulgarians Vania Goshe and Bogdan Dyulgerov, Natasha Dadush from Russia and Marianne Ogden from the US.
The exhibition runs until January 8. More information about the exhibition is available here.
Sonic Vibes by Bogdan DyulgerovExpressions
An exhibition by Rachel Galea is opening at Il-Ħaġar - Heart of Gozo Museum today. It features 31 of her latest works inspired by Gozo’s landscape.
The exhibition runs until January 10. The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Entrance is free.
For more information, click here.
Sights and sites
A new exhibition by Silvio John Camilleri at the King’s Own Band Club in Valletta investigates contemporary reality in which the ugliness of roads and pristine countryside have to co-exist as a dichotomy in Malta’s way of life.
Yet, the artist deciphers beauty even in the most inauspicious of locations, such as in the geometry of the road network and its juxtaposition with trees, streetlights and general urban elements.
Sights and Sites, curated by Fleur-Marie Ebejer, is on until January 11. Refer to the artist’s Facebook profile for more information.
Towards Golden Bay No. 2 by Silvio John CamilleriOTHER EXHIBITIONS
Sunetti: Minn Fomm u Qalb il-Poplu
Malta Libraries is holding an exhibition on Maltese sonnets at the National Library of Malta in Valletta.
It is open to the public, free of charge, until the end of December. One may visit between Monday and Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and on Saturdays from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
The exhibition catalogue and a sonnet written specifically for the occasion and printed on silk (limited edition of 100) are available for sale from the Reading Room.
Dumnikani fil-Palazz: Home & Temple
An exhibition at the Inquisitor's Palace in Vittoriosa tells of the special relationship between the palace and the neighbouring Dominican Order, especially in the post-war years.
Enemy war bombing in 1941 had left the Dominican community without a convent and a church, and they found temporary refuge beyond Vittoriosa. But they were called back by the need to fulfil their spiritual and educational mission among their people.
Eighty years ago, in August 1942, the Dominicans asked for temporary shelter at the Inquisitor’s Palace and, for almost two decades, the palace became the community’s home and temple.
The exhibition runs until January 8. The Inquisitor's Palace is open weekly from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4.30pm.
Exhibits forming part of the Dumnikani fil-Palazz: Home & Temple exhibition. Photo: DOI/Jason BorgHonor Frost’s Malta: A Pioneer in the Centre of the Mediterranean
An exhibition highlighting underwater archaeologist Honor Frost’s connection to Malta is open at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.
Besides honouring Frost’s considerable legacy, the exhibition aims to offer a snapshot of Frost’s work in Malta through illustrations, artefacts and even some of her diving equipment.
The exhibition runs until January 15. Entrance is free of charge. One may visit the museum daily from 9am to 4.30pm.
[attach id="1260133" size="large" align="left" type="image"]A diving suit that belonged to Honor Frost on display at the Archaeology Museum. Photo: Heritage Malta[/attach]