A kidnap victim returns home from Libya, the Brangelina film set takes shape, relics and holy icons are displayed, and the Malta Arts Festival continues to go from strength to strength.  A selection of some of the best photos taken over the past week by Times of Malta photographers.

Maltese kidnap victim Martin Galea steps off an airplane after arriving from Libya at Malta International Airport on July 28. Galea, an oil worker abducted by a Libyan militia 11 days earlier, was released unharmed on Monday and flown back to Malta. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMaltese kidnap victim Martin Galea steps off an airplane after arriving from Libya at Malta International Airport on July 28. Galea, an oil worker abducted by a Libyan militia 11 days earlier, was released unharmed on Monday and flown back to Malta. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A flight from Libya lands at Malta International Airport on July 25 after evacuating a group of Maltese working in Libya. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA flight from Libya lands at Malta International Airport on July 25 after evacuating a group of Maltese working in Libya. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Bathers swim at Mgarr ix-Xini, close to part of the film set of Angelina Jolie’s new film “By the Sea” on July 30. Filming is scheduled to begin at the end of August. Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaBathers swim at Mgarr ix-Xini, close to part of the film set of Angelina Jolie’s new film “By the Sea” on July 30. Filming is scheduled to begin at the end of August. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Set builders work on the set for Angelina Jolie’s new film “By the Sea” on the beach at Mgarr ix-Xini on July 30. Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaSet builders work on the set for Angelina Jolie’s new film “By the Sea” on the beach at Mgarr ix-Xini on July 30. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

A worker constructs part of the set of Angelina Jolie’s new film “By the Sea” in Mgarr ix-Xini on July 30. Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaA worker constructs part of the set of Angelina Jolie’s new film “By the Sea” in Mgarr ix-Xini on July 30. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

A reliquary, believed to contain the blood of St Lawrence, was paraded through the Vittoriosa streets on July 24. The relic, which was brought to Malta from Amaseno in Italy, was carried in procession to the St Lawrence church, where Archbishop Paul Cremona celebrated Pontifical Mass. Photo: Chris Sant FournierA reliquary, believed to contain the blood of St Lawrence, was paraded through the Vittoriosa streets on July 24. The relic, which was brought to Malta from Amaseno in Italy, was carried in procession to the St Lawrence church, where Archbishop Paul Cremona celebrated Pontifical Mass. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

A nun takes a photo of the procession of the reliquary, believed to contain the blood of St Lawrence, in Vittoriosa on July 25. Photo: Chris Sant FournierA nun takes a photo of the procession of the reliquary, believed to contain the blood of St Lawrence, in Vittoriosa on July 25. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Two men discuss the relic of the blood of St Lawrence during the procession in Vittoriosa on July 25. Photo: Chris Sant FournierTwo men discuss the relic of the blood of St Lawrence during the procession in Vittoriosa on July 25. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Two art experts analyse a piece of artwork at the Augustinian Priory in Rabat on July 24. The medieval artworks are ranked as one of the island’s most important treasures due to their outstanding quality. Photo: Matthew MirabelliTwo art experts analyse a piece of artwork at the Augustinian Priory in Rabat on July 24. The medieval artworks are ranked as one of the island’s most important treasures due to their outstanding quality. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A lady inspects one of the three medieval altarpieces that recently came to light at the Augustinian Priory in Rabat and are ranked as one of the island’s most important treasures due to its outstanding quality. Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar launched the restoration of the pieces of artwork on July 24. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA lady inspects one of the three medieval altarpieces that recently came to light at the Augustinian Priory in Rabat and are ranked as one of the island’s most important treasures due to its outstanding quality. Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar launched the restoration of the pieces of artwork on July 24. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

One of three medieval altarpieces is photographed during the launch of their restoration by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar on July 24 at the Augustinian Priory in Rabat. Photo: Matthew MirabelliOne of three medieval altarpieces is photographed during the launch of their restoration by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar on July 24 at the Augustinian Priory in Rabat. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Grace Cassar stands beneath the partially collapsed ceiling in the kitchen of her home in Marsascala on July 30. She lives in danger of having the rest of ceiling crashing down. Photo: Chris Sant FournierGrace Cassar stands beneath the partially collapsed ceiling in the kitchen of her home in Marsascala on July 30. She lives in danger of having the rest of ceiling crashing down. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The new pilot boat ‘Ohio’ passes a container ship at the Freeport in Birzebbugia on July 25. Photo: Chris Sant FournierThe new pilot boat ‘Ohio’ passes a container ship at the Freeport in Birzebbugia on July 25. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The Inquisitor's Palace in Vittoriosa, currently undergoing intensive restoration, is seen on July 30. The palace will reopen its upper floor after 30 years in September to host a conference on the Roman inquisition in Malta and elsewhere. Photo: Jason BorgThe Inquisitor's Palace in Vittoriosa, currently undergoing intensive restoration, is seen on July 30. The palace will reopen its upper floor after 30 years in September to host a conference on the Roman inquisition in Malta and elsewhere. Photo: Jason Borg

A dog stays on its owner’s shoulder rather than swim at Mgarr ix-Xini on July 30. Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaA dog stays on its owner’s shoulder rather than swim at Mgarr ix-Xini on July 30. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

People sunbath on the rocks at Delimara on July 29. Photo: Jason BorgPeople sunbath on the rocks at Delimara on July 29. Photo: Jason Borg

Grape harvesters collect grapes and place them in crates at a vineyard in Wardija on July 24. The grapes will be used for winemaking. Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaGrape harvesters collect grapes and place them in crates at a vineyard in Wardija on July 24. The grapes will be used for winemaking. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Grapes lie in crates at a vineyard in Wardija on July 24. Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaGrapes lie in crates at a vineyard in Wardija on July 24. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

A man walks past tyre marks and oil stains on the new paving at the entrance to Valletta on July 28. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA man walks past tyre marks and oil stains on the new paving at the entrance to Valletta on July 28. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

People walk up the steps alongside Malta's new parliament building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, in Valletta on July 30. The building, part of an extensive project that incorporates an open air theatre and the main entrance to the fortified capital city, is expected to be completed and operational in October this year. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiPeople walk up the steps alongside Malta's new parliament building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, in Valletta on July 30. The building, part of an extensive project that incorporates an open air theatre and the main entrance to the fortified capital city, is expected to be completed and operational in October this year. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A woman walks past Malta's new parliament building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, in Valletta, on July 30. The building, part of an extensive project that incorporates an open air theatre and the main entrance to the fortified capital city, is expected to be completed and operational in October this year. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA woman walks past Malta's new parliament building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, in Valletta, on July 30. The building, part of an extensive project that incorporates an open air theatre and the main entrance to the fortified capital city, is expected to be completed and operational in October this year. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The setting sun is reflected in a window on Malta’s new parliament building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, in Valletta on July 30. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiThe setting sun is reflected in a window on Malta’s new parliament building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, in Valletta on July 30. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Workers set up scaffolding for the Bieganski Art Festival at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on July 30. Polish collector Zdzislaw Bieganski, 94, first hit the headlines in 2012 when he offered his art collection of over 2000 pieces to be permanently exhibited in Malta, but his plans ran aground after attribution tests by foreign art scholars concluded some of pieces were not authentic.Workers set up scaffolding for the Bieganski Art Festival at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on July 30. Polish collector Zdzislaw Bieganski, 94, first hit the headlines in 2012 when he offered his art collection of over 2000 pieces to be permanently exhibited in Malta, but his plans ran aground after attribution tests by foreign art scholars concluded some of pieces were not authentic.

Pavel Snadr directs the string orchestra of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra during the video-opera Up-Close during the Malta Arts Festival at the Grand Hotel Excelsior on July 26. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiPavel Snadr directs the string orchestra of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra during the video-opera Up-Close during the Malta Arts Festival at the Grand Hotel Excelsior on July 26. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Soloist Konstanze von Gutzeit carries a lampshade during the video-opera Up-Close during the Malta Arts Festival at the Grand Hotel Excelsior on July 26. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiSoloist Konstanze von Gutzeit carries a lampshade during the video-opera Up-Close during the Malta Arts Festival at the Grand Hotel Excelsior on July 26. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Soloist Konstanze von Gutzeit performs during the video-opera Up-Close during the Malta Arts Festival at the Grand Hotel Excelsior on July 26. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiSoloist Konstanze von Gutzeit performs during the video-opera Up-Close during the Malta Arts Festival at the Grand Hotel Excelsior on July 26. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Actors of the Stagun Teatru Malti theatre company take part in a stage adaptation of Nicholas Monsarrat's international best-selling novel "The Kappillan of Malta" at Fort St Elmo during the Malta Arts Festival in Valletta on July 29. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiActors of the Stagun Teatru Malti theatre company take part in a stage adaptation of Nicholas Monsarrat's international best-selling novel "The Kappillan of Malta" at Fort St Elmo during the Malta Arts Festival in Valletta on July 29. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Malaysian dancer Mavin Khoo (front) and Italian dancer Nico Monaco (rear) perform in a dress rehearsal of "Triple Bill - Duets in Motion", part of the Malta Arts Festival, at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta July 30, 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMalaysian dancer Mavin Khoo (front) and Italian dancer Nico Monaco (rear) perform in a dress rehearsal of "Triple Bill - Duets in Motion", part of the Malta Arts Festival, at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta July 30, 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Malaysian dancer Mavin Khoo (right) and Italian dancer Nico Monaco perform in a dress rehearsal of "Triple Bill - Duets in Motion", part of the Malta Arts Festival, at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta July 30, 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMalaysian dancer Mavin Khoo (right) and Italian dancer Nico Monaco perform in a dress rehearsal of "Triple Bill - Duets in Motion", part of the Malta Arts Festival, at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta July 30, 2014. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The twists and turns of South African dancer Gregory Maqoma are caught in this multiple exposure image as he performs in the dress rehearsal of "Triple Bill: Duets in Motion", part of the Malta Arts Festival, at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta on July 30. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiThe twists and turns of South African dancer Gregory Maqoma are caught in this multiple exposure image as he performs in the dress rehearsal of "Triple Bill: Duets in Motion", part of the Malta Arts Festival, at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta on July 30. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

South African dancer Gregory Maqoma performs in a dress rehearsal of "Triple Bill: Duets in Motion", part of the Malta Arts Festival, at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta on July 30. Picture taken with multiple exposure function. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiSouth African dancer Gregory Maqoma performs in a dress rehearsal of "Triple Bill: Duets in Motion", part of the Malta Arts Festival, at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta on July 30. Picture taken with multiple exposure function. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

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