Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545750
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 8 JULY 2026 CULTURE Ghaxaq Music Festival 2026 to feature World Cup final screening, Ricchi e Poveri and Padre Guilherme THE Għaxaq Music Festival 2026 will feature three ma- jor events combining football, Italian music and international electronic acts. The festival, taking place on 19, 21 and 24 July 2026, forms part of celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the estab- lishment of the Għaxaq parish. The programme was presented by Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, Tourism Minister Joe Etienne Abela and Malta Tourism Authority chair- man Charles Mangion. The opening event on 19 July will see the Għaxaq Grounds host a free public screening of the FIFA World Cup final on Malta's largest screen. The event will include food stalls, bars, a children's area and a pre- match DJ set by Pierre Cordina. On 21 July, Italian music leg- ends Ricchi e Poveri will per- form live in Malta, featuring some of their biggest hits in- cluding Sarà perché ti amo, Mamma Maria, Che sarà and Se m'innamoro. The concert will also feature performances by Kevin Paul & Band, following an opening DJ set by Pierre Cordi- na, and a closing party hosted by Alex Grech. The festival will conclude on 24 July with the first Maltese per- formance by Padre Guilherme, the internationally known "DJ Priest", who combines elec- tronic music with messages of spirituality and hope. He will be joined by UK trance act POU – Product of Us, alongside Mal- tese electronic artists JJoy, Mux and Braynod. This year's festival will also support Embrace Diversity Or- ganisation, with proceeds from ticket sales helping the volun- tary organisation continue its work with children and young people with disabilities. Organised by St Mary's Band Club Għaxaq under the patron- age of the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government and with the support of the Malta Tourism Authority, the festival has grown into one of Malta's leading summer events. Tickets for the Ricchi e Poveri and Padre Guilherme concerts are available from Showshap- pening.com, while admission to the World Cup final screening is free. Organisers said parking spaces will be available on each event day.