An outstanding collection of vernacular art has reached Malta at the best possible time: Carnival is coming.
This exhibition of 55 prints of unique, cinematically inspired artwork – created for the renowned Viareggio Carnival between 1966 and 2010 – will be augmented by two highly entertaining cultural talks on carnival traditions in Tuscany and Malta.
This event will further enhance cultural ties between Malta and Italy by showcasing carnival-rich traditions in both countries, giving revellers a reference and inspiration for a much-cherished, popular event.
It is a must-see for visitors with a keen interest in carnival history and traditions, for film and design students and for carnival artists.
Organised by EuropaCinema Viareggio, Viareggio Carnival, Malta International Short Film Festival, Cinema Heritage Group and former Manoel Theatre artistic director Tony Cassar Darien, this exhibition is being hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute.
The exhibition showcases the distinctive, cinema-themed artwork created for the renowned Viareggio Carnival, which draws vast crowds of local and international visitors with its artistic skills, topical comedy and political satire.
The exhibition was inaugurated by the Italian Ambassador Efisio Luigi Marras.
The event will also feature two fascinating symposia illustrating the rich social and cultural histories of the Versilia region (Tuscany) and Malta, while highlighting their traditional links.
The Tuscan seaside resort of Viareggio is rich in carnival and cinema history, having hosted movie stars and film crews from the nearby major Tirrenia Film Studio throughout the first half on the 1900s, while always welcoming Maltese holidaymakers and carnival enthusiasts who have been visiting this Art Deco destination throughout the decades.
This event is the first in a series, including the 2011 Malta Short Film Fest, to take place from July to September.
• The exhibition runs until March 4. Opening times: Monday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information may be obtained from Joyce Grech by phone on 9942 5594. You may also send an e-mail to info@maltashortfilmfest.com.