Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1050749
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 NOVEMBER 2018 CULTURE Generating new narratives TOWARDS the end of 2018 the Mahal- la Festival invites local and internation- al artists and initiatives to show con- cern and contribute artistic positions regarding the international migration moves. The Festival aims to show the potential migration has through strong artistic works. More than 60 artists from 20 countries participate in the event in Malta. Some are themselves affected by displacement. All of them are working on new forms of narratives regarding global conflicts and their worldwide effects: a rising nationalism, progressing ecological destruction, dramatic gentrification in urban areas and rising inequalities in working life are some of the topics. The Festival will be held between 17 and 25 November in venues around Valletta, Sta Lucija and Zabbar in Malta. Maltese and international par- ticipants are presented in exhibitions, concerts, performances, screenings and talks displaying different topics: language and migration, communities and diversity, new city cultures, mo- bile citizenship and future demands of communities. Maltese Poet Antoine Cassar will present the third edition of his Pass- port-Project. His multilingual poetry inspired the Mahallas Festival's main topic, "generating new narratives". In a Literature Café he will meet the Tan- dem-Writers from Berlin, Lilian Pithan (D) and Ramy Al Asheq (YEM). The Turkish artists Seçkin Aydin and Menekşe Samancı are on a residency in Malta for six month and will share their experiences from the war-ef- fected city of Batman in Southeastern Turkey in a historical Palazzo in Zab- bar. Maltese artists Margerita Pulé and Sara Pace are searching the Traces of this space's roots in their artistic pro- duction. The FC St. Patrick nearby the Palazzo in Zabbar will host a Video- screening of international outstanding Video-Art. All events of the Mahalla Festival will be free of charge. The Malta International Organ Festival THE Malta International Organ Festival, this year being in its fifth edition, will be held from 15 No- vember till 7 December. The festival is made up of 16 concerts in cathedrals, churches, basilicas and chapels in Malta, another three in Gozo, and two masterclasses. Amongst the star guest performers in this edition of the Malta International Or- gan Festival, is organist Sergio Orabona from Italy, who will be opening the festival at St Fran- cis of Assisi Church, Valletta on the 15th November performing Bach's Fantasia and Fugue in g minor nicknamed the 'Great', and Poulenc's favourite master- piece – Concerto in g minor for Organ, Strings and Timpani. A new composition by Maltese composer Karl Fiorini was com- missioned for the 5th edition celebrations. This new compo- sition titled Quatre Miniatures Romaines is scored for Baritone, Organ, Strings and Percussion, and uses poetry by Sophie Char- pentier. Festival organiser and artistic director, Joseph Lia, said that some of the world's most promi- nent international organists will be performing during the festival, such as Giacomo Benedetti, Mar- co D'Avola, Diego Cannizzaro, Christian Schmitt, Petra Veen- swijk, Gail Archer, and Mariella Mochi. The festival will also be a platform to young Maltese or- ganists like Franco Cefai and Ju- rgen Grima, offering them both a prestigious performing platform and also free masterclasses to im- prove their technique. Lia added that this year, MET Opera of New York Soprano Olga Makarina will be joining Mezzo-Soprano Dina El from USA to perform Pergolesi's Sta- bat Mater under the baton of Italian conductor Simone Valeri at St Mary Magdalena Church in Valletta on 22 November. Maka- rina sung under the direction of various world famous conduc- tors like James Levine, Valerie Gergiev, Yehudij Menuhin, and Bruno Campanella. Another highlight during this year's festival will be an organ recital at Tal-Vitorja Church in Valletta on 20 November of Mal- tese & Sicilian Composers on the 18th Century positive Santucci organ that was found recently, after being lost for several years. This organ was recently restored by Robert Buhagiar. Other interesting concerts will be an organ and guitar recital at St Bartholomew Church in Tarx- ien, All'Italiana Concert at the Gudja Parish Church, and a con- cert presenting famous Christ- mas melodies from around the world, arranged for organ, flute and cello at St Barbara Church in Valletta on 2 December. The concerts being held in Bal- luta, Balzan, Mdina, Paceville, Tarxien, Gudja, Senglea, Safi and Għaxaq in Malta, and Nadur, Citadella and Fontana in Gozo, will include the participation of several musicians combining lo- cal and foreign talent, showcasing Maltese heritage and the power of the organ used as a solo instru- ment, as an accompanist, and as part of an ensemble. The festival will reach a climax with its final concert on 7th De- cember at the St Augustine Par- ish Church in Valletta, featuring works by Handel, Corelli and Telemann. The Valletta Interna- tional Baroque Ensemble (VIBE) will be conducted by the Italian conductor Stefano Molardi. Mo- lardi is an authority in Baroque music in Italy. He will be joined by Joseph Lia to perform Tele- mann's Christmas Cantata, a nice way to start the Christmas season.