International Baroque Festival 2018 branches out to Birgu

Image courtesy of Jordan Mixson

Baroque music-lovers rejoice. The Valletta International Baroque Festival 2018 is just around the corner, and with this year's title of European Culture Capita, Valletta promises to hold a baroque festival like no other.

In its 6th edition, the Baroque Festival shall be venturing out of Valletta to two other walled cities: Mdina, the old Siculo-Norman capital where one can still see the columns of Roman temples in its foundations, and our very own neighbourhood of Birgu, which was the island's capital during the time of the Knights between 1530 and 1571.

The Festival shall kick off on 13 January with a performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Concerto Köln at the Teatru Manoel, and will run through until January 28. Highlights include a performance by Iranian harpsichord player Mahan Esfahani and period instruments ensemble Ghislieri Choir & Consort. 

To view the full programme, head over to the official Festival website here.

Valletta 2018 - The Festa has landed!

Image courtesy of Lee Dobson

2018 has arrived and with it, a frenzy of anticipation ahead of this year's long-awaited European Culture Capital, which Valletta has been crowned.

Our gem of a capital city is in full-steam-ahead mode as final tiles are laid, last coats of paint are set to dry, and scaffoldings are finally dismantled to reveal newly cleaned Baroque architectural gems. Earlier this week, the covered marketplace Is-Suq Tal-Belt opened its doors after years of refurbishment, revealing its wonderfully restored 19th-century iron frame and an enticing array of food stalls selling everything from local delicacies to artisanal chocolates.

In 1985, Melina Mercouri, Greece’s minister of culture, and her French counterpart Jack Lang came up with the idea of designating an annual Capital of Culture to bring Europeans closer together by highlighting the richness and diversity of European cultures and raising awareness of their common history and values. This year, Valletta holds the title alongside Leeuwarden in the Netherlands.

In celebration of this unique event, cultural events shall be taking place over the year not just in Valletta, but across other towns on the islands of Malta and Gozo including Kalkara, Sliema and Ghajnsielem.

To view the full line-up of events, visit the official Valletta 2018 website and mark your calendars!

Fresh designs by Te fit-Tazza take Valletta by storm

Image courtesy of Te fit-Tazza

We love shining a spotlight on authentic, quality experiences unfolding on our gorgeous Mediterranean isle, and if there is one exhibition you visit this month whilst in Valletta, Te fit-Tazza's display at The Splendid is it.

Launched by talented design duo Craig Macdonald and Andrew Farrugia, Te fit-Tazza is specialised in crafting high-quality prints that are inspired by defining elements of the true Maltese spirit. Through a subtle and modern approach, Craig and Andrew highlight the beauty of our islands whilst bringing a piece of Malta to the world.

Earlier this month, they launched an exhibition of their latest collection of prints at The Splendid, an abandoned hotel from the early 1900s whose soaring ceilings and original Maltese-tile floors provide a stunning backdrop to Te fit-Tazza's contemporary prints. The prints and the setting both offer a unique glimpse into Malta's creative soul, allowing you to venture far off the beaten track away from Valletta's traditional (and more obvious) sights and landmarks.

Running until January 6th 2018, make sure you mark this gem of an exhibition in your diaries!

The Splendid, 84 Strait Street, Valletta. 11:30am to 9:00pm daily, except Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Popup Le Pamplemousse Ep. 1 launches niche luxe experience

Locanda La Gelsomina's hospitality ethos revolves around our love for connecting with authentic stories. Therefore, we couldn't have been more delighted when niche luxe brands Sofia Capri and Decièlis approached us with the idea of launching a brand new pop-up concept, with the aim of connecting the stories of their brands to lovers of niche luxe design.

Popup Le Pamplemousse is the brainchild of global-nomads Zoë Hili and Rossella Frigerio, who created this temporary retail concept with the intention of sharing their passion for personal retail experiences that bring carefully curated brands to hidden corners of Malta. Having already brought their brands to unique pop-up experiences across the world from Perth to Paris and Geneva, Zoë and Rossella were looking to bring the beauty of these personalised experiences to their island roots.

Locanda La Gelsomina's very own jewel-box shop in Birgu provided the ideal setting for Popup Le Pamplemousse's launch. Between 6 and 8 December, visitors were treated to la dolce vita spirit of Sofia Capri's custom-made sandals along with the vibrant, hand-drawn geometric prints of Decièlis's luxe scarves. Fragrant cups of organic Bellocq tea was also served as clients indulged in this one-of-a-kind shopping experience.