Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1130632
CULTURE maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 JUNE 2019 6 THE 2019 edition of the Malta Inter- national Arts Festival kicks off on Fri- day 28 June. Under the stewardship of artistic director Ruben Zahra, this year's edition will see a number of in- novations being introduced. The wide- ranging programme of Maltese and international performances will take place in various locations around the island to make the festival accessible to a wider audience. The MIAF is offering its audiences a unique experience by presenting per- forming arts within Malta's exclusive heritage sites. The Ħaġar Qim temple complex in Qrendi will become the backdrop and stage for two produc- tions within the festival: 'Temple Per- cussion', featuring acclaimed Chinese percussionist Beibei Wang; and 'Gu- than Aosda – Ancient Voices' – a mu- sic and dance performance. In 'Temple Percussion' Wang will deliver a virtuoso recital of contempo- rary works. The programme includes music by Psathas, Tan Dun, Xenakis, Séjourné and more. This event is be- ing co-organised with the China Cul- tural Centre in Malta. 'Guthan Aosda – Ancient Voices', meanwhile, is a music-dance perfor- mance featuring Scottish musicians John Kenny and Pete Vilk, and Mal- tese dancer Diane Portelli. Kenny will play on a wide range of exotic ritual instruments, starting with the primor- dial sea shell and cow horns, across Celtic lore with the famous 'Carnyx' war horn bearing the totem head of a wild boar. The audience is in for a unique music journey throbbing to the pulse of ritual against Malta's spectacular Neolithic backdrop. This choice of venue is in-line with Zahra's vision for the MIAF to offer something that will distinguish it from other festivals in Europe and around the world; and the idea of staging per- formances at Ħaġar Qim is very much a part of that vision. "You can experience great perfor- mances in a black box environment at any international festival," Zahra said. "But only in Malta can the audi- ence experience artistic excellence in a Neolithic temple." 'Temple Percussion' will take place on Wednesday 3 July at 9pm; while 'Guthan Aosda- Ancient Voices' is being performed on Thursday 11 July at 9pm. Both performances are sup- ported by Heritage Malta. For further information about these and other performances within the Malta Inter- national Arts Festival visit www.festi- vals.mt/miaf. Hagar Qim Temple complex to host two events at the Malta International Arts Festival 2019 Chinese percussionist Beibei Wang