The ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children & Young People is back for a fifth edition.

The festival will include a wild circus show, a play about anorexia, music and whimsical shows for the very young.

“As a mother, I feel that ŻiguŻajg has consistently filled a gap in the cultural sector by focusing exclusively on children. I appeal to schools and parents to attend this festival to encourage our young ones to interact with creativity and culture from a young age”, Michelle Muscat, the Prime Minister's wife, said at this morning’s launch.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici and Education Minister Evarist Bartolo were also present.

Dr Bonnici said that around 16,000 children and parents are expected to attend the 29 performances from 12 countries to be held as part of the festival, being held between November 16 and 22.

Mr Bartolo added tha the arts opened up a freer space where young people could think, imagine and question, outside the formality of the educational system.

ŻiguŻajg director Toni Attard said: “Placing the arts at the heart from a young age helps children to access this creative freedom early, to think about the world and to help them make sense of their own and other’s experiences. Ultimately, we are very aware of the responsibility of ensuring excellence in these experiences - young audiences deserve nothing but the best.”

ŻiguŻajg is produced by Fondazzjoni Kreattività in collaboration with the government and CHOGM Malta 2015.

Tickets for the morning school programme are free, those for the public shows are €2 each.

www.ziguzajg.org, https://www.facebook.com/ziguzajg