Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542709
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 JANUARY 2026 CULTURE HERITAGE Malta has launched its Calendar of Events for 2026, a year-long programme of over 200 events that presents heritage as a living, shared experience. Rooted in the agency's new campaign 'Ħaj/ Heritage Alive', the calendar moves beyond views that limit heritage behind showcases, to instead activate historic sites as spaces for partic- ipation and discovery. Through a dynamic programme of exhi- bitions, special openings, col- ourful re-enactments, behind- the-scenes access and creative experiences, the public is invit- ed to engage with heritage as a dance between people, places and time. Families and young- er audiences are at the centre of this calendar, with hands-on activities, discovery tours and workshops designed to nurture curiosity and a sense of belong- ing from an early age. At the same time, the calendar reflects evolving lifestyles, introducing wellbeing-focused initiatives such as fitness and breathing classes within historic settings, and activities that bring new per- spectives to familiar places such as Sip & Paint sessions. Food and shared traditions re- main central, with Taste History events and cookalongs that con- vey our forefathers' stories and wisdom through delicious, mul- tisensory experiences. Guided walks, cruises and themed tours take participants on adventures beyond museum walls. Moreo- ver, accessible events for people with special needs reinforce in- clusivity, and dedicated mem- bers' events offer unique expe- riences to the Agency's growing community of supporters. The much-loved Museums by Can- dlelight concept also returns, of- fering visitors the chance to liter- ally experience national gems in a new light. Among the highlights of 2026 is the second edition of the Malta Biennale, which will once again transform heritage sites into platforms for international con- temporary art, enabling dialogue between past and present. The Malta Biennale 2026 events pro- gramme can be viewed at: https:// maltabiennale.art/events/." At a press conference to launch the events calendar, Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Gov- ernment, Owen Bonnici, said that: "The ambitious calendar we are launching demonstrates how our heritage is not only safe- guarded, but also conveyed in an engaging way to the public. More than 200 activities spread across a whole year mean more acces- sibility, more participation and more opportunities for Maltese heritage to be experienced and enjoyed by everyone." Mario Cutajar, Chairman of Heritage Malta and President of Malta Biennale 2026, stated: "This calendar places people at its centre. It is a broader expres- sion of accessibility; how Herit- age Malta brings people closer to understanding our common heritage as Maltese, while also understanding our present. The Malta Biennale is a single but key tool in this whole gamut of ac- cessibility. A tool that benefits us and our country, which is being considered a top destination to visit during the Malta Biennale this year." Heritage Malta Chief Executive Officer, Noel Zammit, comment- ed that: "By increasing accessibil- ity to our country's historic sites and creating memorable experi- ences that remain with visitors long after their visit, Heritage Malta keeps Maltese heritage dynamic and relevant for audi- ences of all ages. Through all that it does, the agency continuously sustains the dialogue between past and present, ensuring that our heritage is appreciated not as a relic of the past, but as a living legacy that belongs to everyone." The full Heritage Malta 2026 Calendar of Events is avail- able here in Maltese: https:// h e r i t a g e m a l t a . m t / a p p / u p - loads/2026/01/2026-calendar- of-events-Maltese-R6-Web.pdf, and here in English: https:// h e r i t a g e m a l t a . m t / a p p / u p - loads/2026/01/2026-calendar- of-events-English-R6-Web.pdf. More information about each event and tickets may be ac- cessed here: www.heritage- malta.mt/whats-on. You may also follow Heritage Malta's official WhatsApp Channel: w w w . w h a t s a p p . c o m / c h a n - nel/0029Vb4UJxw1yT29ko3G- kq2F for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes stories. Heritage Malta launches over 200 new events for 2026