Notte Bianca, Malta’s nightlong arts and culture festival, is all set to take over Valletta on October 1.

Organised by the Notte Bianca team and the Arts Council Malta, this year’s festival will once again see the capital's streets and cultural venues come alive through a carefully designed programme of events.

Addressing a news conference this morning, the organising committee also unveiled the new Notte Bianca logo, the design of which is inspired by vintage Maltese bar and shop signs.

Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

As this year marks the three-year journey towards V18 – European Capital of Culture, this year’s Notte Bianca is being organised in collaboration with the Valletta 18 Foundation.

Taking inspiration from the goals of V18, the collaboration proved beneficial to transform Valletta into a cultural city that is vital and relevant.

In this spirit, Notte Bianca this year will take a big shift into new and digital media to become a more immersive experience.

 “It has been our mission to make Notte Bianca a truly inclusive cultural experience from every aspect,” artistic director Sean Buhagiar said.

He said that more than 1,000 artists, entertainers, organisers and creatives were contributing to the night. The festival was also further expanding outside the walls of Valletta, making use of the harbour and the Three Cities, with events taking place in and around the ferries and public transport for the Notte Bianca experience to begin as one starts his journey into the city.

“We are even planning live social-media coverage, so those who cannot be physically present in the city can still immerse themselves in all of the festivities. Notte Bianca has always been a festival for the people, and it is our hope that this year we will continue to improve on that tradition.”

Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Events this year include Design4DCity, an experiment in the sharing of knowledge and common space. Berlin-based activists Urban Action will be holding a four-day workshop that will culminate in a presentation concerning ideas for a better, more engaging, urban environment. Design4DCity will see Paris-based Nanotak Studio make their Malta debut. The duo has become renowned for creating ethereal, immersive and dreamlike sound and light environments meant to envelope viewers.

Other digital media events include Fil-Kju, which will transform parts of Valletta into an augmented reality experience. By scanning specially placed codes into their smartphones, visitors will discover hidden stashes of poetry littered all around Valletta.

Interactive installation Ġejja Dgħajsa will explore meaning and symbolism attributed to boats. The installation will use floating paper boats attached to metal stalks, which glow and move at the slightest touch.

Planċieri Diġitali is a virtual reality painting experience that will combine art old and new. A number of traditional artists from different backgrounds will be thrust into the digital world to explore their art in three dimensions.

After its great success last year, Karaoke ta' Vera returns and will offer participants a unique opportunity to sing a song of their choice accompanied by a real, live band.

ŻiffaŻfin also returns with a focus on contemporary dance. There will be hip-hop, parkour, and even street dance flash mobs all over Valletta. And as 2016 saw the passing of two monumental music legends, music fans can enjoy a unique guitar tribute to David Bowie and Prince in Saħħa Bowie, Saħħa Prince.

Atmosfera, the programme of ancillary events inspired by the city’s pulsating heart, will also be contributing. Churches, state palaces and museums will be opening their doors to visitors until the early hours, with many playing host to art exhibitions and performances. Streets and piazzas will be transformed into venues for open-air theatrics and concerts, while many cafes and restaurants will extend their hours and also run pavement stalls.  

Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

For the first time this year, those who will be going to Valletta on a ferry boat from one of the three cities will also be able to enjoy some music while they wait their turn. There will be classical music in Cospicua, rock music in Senglea and traditional folk in Vittoriosa.  The Inquisitor's Palace, the Maritime Museum as well as Fort St Angelo will also be open to the public.

Notte Bianca is organised by Arts Council Malta under the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government, with the support of Valletta 2018 Foundation, Valletta Local Council, TVM and MSV Life.