Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1122280
ARTS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MAY 2019 8 THE Malta International Arts Festival (MIAF), pro- duced by Festivals Malta, has just launched the highly- anticipated programme for its 2019 edition, taking place between 28 June and 14 July. The 14th edition of the MI- AF will, once again, showcase an impressive mixture of lo- cal and international talent in different venues, encour- aging wider audiences to join in the island-wide celebra- tion of artistic innovation and cultural heritage. "The 2019 programme of this unique festival will pre- sent innovative productions with a strong interdiscipli- nary dimension that are ac- cessible to a wide audience," says Ruben Zahra, artistic director of the MIAF 2019. "Accessibility is at the heart of the MIAF." Since its inception in 2005, the MIAF has established it- self as a staple on the local arts scene. This year, the fes- tival will be adding cutting- edge performances from in- ternational companies to the mix. Highlights from this re- cently-unveiled programme include: 'Toujours et Près de Moi?' – a captivating holo- graphic music-theatre per- formance by Opera Erratica (UK); 'Berberio' – an award- winning children's perfor- mance by Zonzo Compagnie (Belgium) about the musical language of Italian avant- garde composer Luciano Be- rio; and 'FLA.CO.MEN' – a mesmerising flamenco re- invention by Spanish dance artist Israel Galván. The festival will also wit- ness the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in a symphonic programme that includes Tan Dun's hypnotic three- movement 'Water Concer- to', as well as a double-bill dance programme by Malta's national dance company ŻfinMalta and 'Pope Joan' – a theatrical work co-produced with Teatru Malta among other local creative talent. Plus, the event will also build bridges between local and in- ternational artists, through events such as 'M.A.D' – a fu- sion of contemporary music and dance featuring chamber works by Ligeti, Walton and Connesson, as well as music by Maltese composers cho- reographed by Gil Kerer and Zoe Camilleri. The opening weekend of the MIAF 2019 will incorporate a unique sunset-tour perfor- mance across the Grand Har- bour, aptly titled 'Harbour Odyssey,' which will feature musicians, actors, acrobats and circus-artists. The festi- val will also be transforming the island's surrounding sea into a floating stage, for nu- merous events taking place on a Turkish gulet. "My vision for the MIAF includes a strong interdisci- plinary dimension with the capacity to connect local art- ists with international talent in view of collaborations and co-productions," says Zahra. In keeping with the theme of 'water' that runs through the whole festival, the grand finale of the MIAF will pre- sent a stunning underwater concert from Denmark, 'Aq- uasonic', consisting of five musicians and singers using custom-made instruments submerged in water tanks. Heritage sites constitute an- other important characteris- tic of Malta's cultural legacy. The theatrical work 'Pope Joan' in collaboration with Teatru Malta will take place in the Mdina ditch, while Ħaġar Qim will become the backdrop and stage of two productions within the festi- val: 'Temple Percussion', fea- turing Chinese percussionist Beibei with a virtuoso recital of contemporary works – co- organised by the China Cul- tural Centre in Malta; and 'GUTHAN AOSDA – An- cient Voices'. "Audiences can experience great performance in a black box environment in any in- ternational festival" says Zahra. "But only in Malta can they experience artis- tic excellence in a Neolithic temple or on the Mediterra- nean Sea." To view the full programme of the Malta International Arts Festival 2019, please visit www.festivals.mt/miaf. 2019 programme to blend local heritage with artistic innovation Malta International Arts Festival AQUASONIC 02 • Photo by Charlotta de Miranda Temple Percussion - Beibei Wang Ancient Voices • Photo by Hugh Beauchamp