Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1133773
CULTURE ARTS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 JUNE 2019 6 THIS year's highly-anticipat- ed Malta International Arts Festival (MIAF) – which will run between June 28 and July 14 – will feature a vast range of fascinating and appealing cultural events, from virtuoso music performances to spec- tacular dance movements and theatrical works. The festival's main attrac- tion this year, however, is the 'Fernandes', a Turkish sail- ing vessel that will be trans- formed into a floating stage – where quite a few perfor- mances will be taking place. Festivals Malta director An- nabelle Stivala said this year's arts festival is special. "The MIAF is also the longest fes- tival in our portfolio, and one we are thrilled to see return – especially with such an ex- citing programme for our au- diences." "This is an adventure and a challenging journey for me," said artistic director Ruben Zahra on board the 'Fer- nandes' during the festival's programme launch. "One of the priorities in my vision for this year's arts festival is not only to present a programme of artistic excellence but to create something that also provides a unique experience within a local context." In fact, audiences will be able to enjoy eight produc- tions in seven localities around Malta: Marsaxlokk, Marsascala, Senglea, Kalkara, Sliema, St Julian's and Val- letta. Meanwhile, the MIAF team is working hand-in- hand with the local councils to try to involve new audi- ences, while also using the Mediterranean Sea as a stage and background. "Those taking part in the arts festival will be perform- ing on this amazing floating stage, while audiences will be watching from land," Zahra explained. However, audiences can also watch from on board the 'Fernandes' itself in a project called 'Harbour Odyssey', a unique sunset tour-perfor- mance around the Grand Harbour, accompanied by musicians, actors, acrobats and circus-artists. Through a historical narrative, this trip will explore the harbour's history and mythology, in- corporating heritage with culture. "The Neolithic Temples of Hagar Qim will serve as a background to two produc- tions being held in collabora- tion with Heritage Malta – in the same way that the sea will serve as a stage for the MIAF," Zahra added. "This is yet another example of how the arts festival does not simply offer a spectacle of dance or a mere concert but a unique experience that truly values our cultural identity." The MIAF team is working closely with a number of or- ganisations in the run-up to the festival, including Teatru Malta, the Malta Philhar- monic Orchestra, Żfin Malta, Spazju Kreattiv, the Chinese Cultural Centre, the British Council and the Israeli em- bassy, among others. The MIAF runs between June 28 and July 14. Tickets are available online at kultu- ra.mt. For more information and updates about the events programme, visit www.fes- tivals.mt/miaf and https:// w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / M a l - taArtsFestival/ The Malta International Arts Festival returns Turkish sailing vessel serving as f loating stage is annual event's highlight this year Ruben Zahra and Annabelle Stivala • Photo by Joseph Agius Attard