Valletta will once again be transformed into one massive hub of activity for this year’s Notte Bianca – a fusion of music, art, theatre, history, folk, tradition and architecture in celebration of culture.
This year’s line-up will see a wide range of musical genres being celebrated, from pop to rock, jazz, world music, classical, folk and more
Organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, this year’s edition is set to light up Vallettaand bring it to life through people, culture and the arts.
The capital’s streets and cultural venues will play host to diverse types of entertainment. State palaces and museums will open their doors for the enjoyment of patrons, showcasing visual art exhibitions and theatre performances, while the streets and squareswill host local and international musicians and dancers.
This year’s line-up sees a wide range of musical genres being celebrated, from pop to rock, jazz, world music, classical, folk and more.
The Upper Barrakka Gardens will host some of the most popular bands, including Nosnow/Noalps, The Crowns and Cruz. Percussionist Renzo Spiteri will also be giving a performance in the courtyard of the Ministry of Finance and Investment in South Street – a percussive showcase that explores new musical and rhythmic territories.
Dutch pianist Mike del Ferro will be playing three musical sets at the Manoel Theatre, performing a versatile programme of his owncompositions, inspired by operatic themes, jazz standards andother favourites.
The Manoel Theatre is also offering classical music enthusiasts a special treat, with Mozart vs Salieri, an opera double bill that recreates musical history’s most notorious showdown.
The fun continues on the streets, with choirs, marching bands and folk ensembles performing throughout the night.
The city will also come to life with several theatre performances taking place on the many performance stages. QED, a critically acclaimed play about a day in the life of eccentric Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman, will be taking place at St James Cavalier as part of Science in the City events.
This scientist wrote several novels, took part in the Manhattan project and died of cancer in 1988 aged 69.
The Manoel Theatre will be presenting director Josette Ciappara’s tribute drama performance Il-Jien u lil inn Minnu, a dramatisation of the poem by Dun Karm Psaila.
Maleth Theatre Company will be debuting its play Do You See Yourself in This? at the MITP in St Christopher Street.
On the dance front, a number of dancers and troupes will be taking to the streets with impromptu performances. The Malta Argentine Tango Association will be performing flamenco, ballroom and Latin dance steps in Strait Street. St John’s Square will feature young and talented Urban Echo Troupe’s hip-hop and breakdance skills.
Dance enthusiasts can also observe internationally-acclaimed dancer and choreographer Mavin Khoo and his dance company rehearsing at the MITP for their upcoming Akasha show. Other surprises will appear at any given street corner, including traditional Maltese dance, Zumba and fire dancing.
Art afficionados will be happy to find many of Valletta’s museums, churches, galleries and places of interest hosting exhibitions.These will include an extensive selection of art, photo and sculpture exhibits, along with Church and band club treasures.
The Science in the City festival will also be presenting a host of weird and wonderful events, including a Sci-Bar along Merchants Street, a science and art exhibition called Why? at St James Cavalier, a science-inspired, doughnut-shaped bus called Joyride at St George’s Square, and other insightful, science-themed events at the Auberge d’Italie, Palazzo Parisio and Strait Street.
The Malta Artisan Fair, to be held in front of the Stock Exchange (next to Upper Barrakka Gardens), will feature local arts and crafts products, fresh artisan foods and produce sold directly by the artist.
For those who are after a taste of the unusual, the MS Hulda, the106-year-old, two-mast sailing boat where Swedish-Turkish artist Ilhan Koman has worked and lived, will dock at Ta’ Liesse, where the Hulda Festival will take place. The event is an innovative platform that aims to build bridges between science, art and daily life.
Other events will include several themed tours which will take visitors to some of the city’s most fascinating historical spots, helping uncover the secrets, tales and history that lie behind Valletta’s exterior. Tours will take place every 15 minutes, starting from Ordnance Street at 7pm and going on until 1am.
Entrance to Notte Bianca on September 29 will be through the former City Gate. Visitors are asked to use the Central Bank Annex as the exit point. Arriva will be offering a special €2.50 round-trip ticket to Valletta and back to all localities on the night. An extended bus service will operate from Valletta after 11pm until 3am. Park and Ride services will also be available, with a direct shuttle from Blata l-Bajda and back. Ferry boats will be running regularly from Sliema and Vittoriosa to Valletta.
www.nottebiancamalta.com