In pictures: Ten photos that celebrate Maltese culture

A striking photograph of the statue of the Conversion of St Paul illuminated by fireworks during Valletta's winter festa has won the Malta edition of the Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 international photography competition.

The image, taken by Carl Farrugia, was selected as the country's best entry in this year's contest, which celebrates intangible cultural heritage through photography. Farrugia received a €200 voucher redeemable at local publishers Kite Group, Merlin Publishers or Midsea Books.

His winning photograph, together with nine other Maltese finalists, will now compete in the international stage of the competition alongside entries from around the world.

A total of 266 photographs were submitted to the Maltese competition by 10 photographers. Globally, the contest attracted 1,352 participants from 121 countries.

Fresh Pastizzi, now also in the Oxford English Dictionary. Photo: Isabella Mallia CC BY-SA licence via Wikimedia Commons

Street Decorations at Festa San Gejtanu in Ħamrun. Photo: Christian Formosa CC BY-SA licence via Wikimedia Commons

The Maltese finalists highlight various aspects of the islands' living traditions, including the annual motorcycle pilgrimage in Żabbar, Carnival celebrations, fireworks displays, traditional food such as pastizzi, a Maltese *dgħajsa* operating as a sea taxi in the Grand Harbour and festa street decorations in Ħamrun.

Several of the selected images focus on the traditional village festa, one of Malta's best-known expressions of intangible cultural heritage. The Maltese festa is inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Ground Fireworks in Malta. Photo: Louise Muscat CC BY-SA licence via Wikimedia Commons

Festa in Rabat, Malta. Photo: Jonathan Borg Zigli CC BY-SA licence via Wikimedia Commons

The competition also recognises the photographer who contributes the largest number of images. This year's special prize went to Christian Formosa, who uploaded 100 photographs documenting Maltese folklore.

Wiki Loves Folklore is organised internationally by volunteers contributing to Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository that supports Wikipedia. In Malta, the competition is coordinated by Wikimedia Community Malta.

Participants at the Malta Carnival 2026. Photo: Joseph Amodio CC BY-SA licence via Wikimedia Commons

Maltese dgħajsa as traditional sea taxi in the Grand Harbour. Photo: Godwin Borg CC BY-SA licence via Wikimedia Commons

Madonna tal-Grazzja painting carried ahead of motorcycle pilgrimage in Żabbar. Photo: Mario L Borg CC BY-SA licence via Wikimedia Commons

The organisation has now launched its next annual contest, Wiki Loves Earth, which focuses on natural heritage sites and wildlife.

Although only 10 photographs were selected as Malta's winners and finalists, all participants remain eligible for the international competition, where the overall winner will receive a $400 (€374) prize. The international results are expected to be announced later this month.

The full list of Malta's winners and finalists is available on the Wiki Loves Folklore website.

Floats in Valletta during Malta Carnival 2026. Photo: Joseph Amodio CC BY-SA licence via Wikimedia Commons

Fireworks at Żejtun. Photo: Antonella Vella CC BY-SA licence via Wikimedia Commons