Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1540360
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 OCTOBER 2025 CULTURE Festalingwi returns for its third edition FESTALINGWI, a one-day fes- tival celebrating language in all its forms, is back for its third edition on Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 11:00 onwards. Set in the picturesque Uni- versity of Malta Valletta campus, Festalingwi's pro- gramme offers something for people of all ages, from reading ses- sions for babies and toddlers, to talks about top- ics as varied as interpreting and inscriptions on tombstones – this programme meets people at whatever stage they're at in their relationship with language. Younger people are well catered for: highlights include Skont id-Daqqa Niżf- nu, a multilingual musical per- formance by Mariele Zammit, Justin Galea and Albert Garzia, 24 Languages in 24 Minutes by Sean Briffa, and reading ses- sions by the National Literacy Agency (NLA). At its core, Festalingwi cel- ebrates and promotes multi- lingualism, encouraging peo- ple to learn foreign languages while nurturing their mother tongues. This is why togeth- er with opportunities to try different languages, including language tast- er sessions and Lingo Bingo, it also includes ac- tivities such as Kwiżżikk and Żanżan Kelma which encourage a deeper ap- preciation of the Maltese l a n g u a g e , as well as a w o r k s h o p aimed at helping par- ents raise children to speak more than one language. The festival also has an in- teractive stand area repre- senting various languages and entities. Here, visitors can try their hand at interpreting in a fully-fledged interpretation booth, or, quite literally, at Maltese sign language, with the help of the Maltese sign lan- guage community. Like previous years, Fes- talingwi will come to a close with Ħoss il-Malti, a con- cert show- casing the beauty of the Maltese l a n g u a g e through mu- sic. This year, t r a i l b l a z i n g band Brikkuni will be headlin- ing this concert, with Cher Camilleri and her band opening. The festival is the local celebration of the European Day of Languages, an annual cele- bration of E u r o p e ' s rich cultur- al linguis- tic herit- age that is still going strong in its 25th edition. It is organised by the European Com- mission's language office in Malta and the University of Malta, with the support of the EC Representation in Malta, and the participation of around 20 different bodies associated with languages, including uni- versity departments, institutes and centres, EU institutions, government entities, embas- sies, cultural institutes, NGOs, and student organisations. Entrance to all events is free, but registration for some events is required, including for Ħoss il-Malti. See the full programme on https://mal- taevents.mt/festalingwi2025