Of 7,000-year-old temples and percussionists: Malta International Arts Festival 2019

Image by Stephen Buhagiar

Set against the mystical backdrop of 7,000-year-old temple Hagar Qim, genre-defying percussionist Beibei Wang delivered an incredible performance last night as part of this year’s edition of the Malta International Arts Festival.

Beneath the night’s carpet of stars, listeners were treated to a diverse repertoire of music that ranged from all four corners of the globe; from Greece to China, Japan to the United Kingdom.

As a soloist, Beibei has embarked on numerous highly successful international tours, and has been listed as one of the top 50 Chinese musicians in the world.

Intense, electrifying and inspiring, Beibei’s performance did not fail to impress. She will be performing alongside the Malta Philarmonic Orchestra on Saturday, 6 July, presenting Tan Dun's hypnotic three-movement Water Concerto using water as a musical instrument.

For further details and tickets, visit the Malta International Arts Festival website.

Images by Stephen Buhagia

Behind Closed Doors: Event at Fort St Angelo

Vittoriosa represents a treasure trove of history and culture waiting to be discovered. Wandering out of Locanda La Gelsomina boutique hotel in Malta, historical relics such as Fort St Angelo, the jewel in the crown of The Maltese Islands’ military heritage can be found. According to legend, the fort stands on the site of a fortified Roman settlement.

Back in 2015, as Fort St. Angelo was being restored, a clay smoking pipe was found hidden in one of the walls, still filled with tobacco, with a matchbox wrapped in the 3rd March 1920 edition of ‘News of the World’, and a handwritten note dated 19th April of that same year.

Written by a stone mason who was working on the construction of the cinema all those years ago, the note revealed the mason had left the pipe hidden there on purpose for it to be found by a lucky antique lover in the future.

This is just one of the fascinating relics you can see in person until September 8th at 'Behind Closed Doors' an exhibition at Fort St Angelo marking the 40th anniversary since the departure of foreign military forces from Malta.

For more information can be found by visiting Heritage Malta: http://heritagemalta.org/whats-on/

Birgu offers a charismatic backdrop to VOGUE Italia's shoot

Image by Stephanie Galea

Birgu’s Easter Sunday procession is infamous across the island, for it marks the culmination of three days of religious events that have been celebrated by the hamlet for centuries.

Earlier this spring, London-based Maltese photographer Stephanie Galea immersed herself in the colours and dynamic energy that characterize this annual event, snapping a series of shots that capture the intensity of the morning’s procession and festivities.

Published by VOGUE Italia, her latest work offers a distinct insight into Birgu’s charismatic corners and age-old traditions that continue to fascinate both locals and visitors alike.

Images by Stephanie Galea

Mgarr's Strawberry Festival 2019

Spring has sprung across the island, and with it - strawberry season.

Now in its 11th year, the annual ‘Festa Frawli’ - or Strawberry Festival - is set to take place on Sunday, April 28. in the main square outside the Parish Church in Mġarr. An agricultural village located the north of the island.  Mġarr is renowned for its excellent quality strawberries, which boast a unique sweet taste. As the festival approaches, the Mġarr locals eagerly prepare for the much-awaited event. Thousands of strawberries are picked, prepared and packed. Children rehearse for performances to be staged on the church square and attractive stalls are set up to welcome Maltese visitors and foreigners alike. 

To find out more, visit the event page or drop an email to mgarr.lc@gov.mt.