Ħolqa, the annual youth festival organised by Ġ.F. Abela Junior College, Msida, has established itself in the Maltese  cultural calendar.

This year Ħolqa is working closely with Opening Doors to put up a festival that  celebrates diversity in all its forms. 

Previously known for its focus on  theatre and performance, Ħolqa has extended to all spheres of visual and performing arts, becoming an international youth arts festival.

This year’s theme is diversability, which sees a collaboration between  participants from local and foreign schools, alongside entities that work with clients with various abilities to create a dialogue through art.

The festival aims to create a cultural space for 16- to 19-year-old students from different socioeconomic backgrounds and countries, including those who are in some way disadvantaged, to come to­gether to share ideas, views and culture through their artistic expression. Along with performances by foreign participants, the programme showcases the talent of the Junior College Orchestra, band, dance group, visual arts group and Teatru Kulleġġ. 

In its aim to promote local talent,  and in view of this year’s theme, the  festival will include participants from Mcast, and Gozo’s Sir Michelangelo Sixth Form, together with Spero, Aġenzija Sapport, Opening Doors and Maria Gauci. 

During the week of activities,  those attending will have the opportunity to experience different theatrical styles, music concerts, dance shows, visual arts exhibition, documentaries and films, structured discussions, interviews and workshops. 

The festival is being held in various areas around the college until Friday. 

Tomorrow, Venue18 at Junior College, in collaboration with Inizjamed, will hold an open mic session for all. 

The sixth edition of the festival offers youths various opportunities to work in the local visual arts and performative arts scene to showcase their talents and exchange experiences with youths from other countries. 

More information is available on facebook.com/holqafestival. For further details call 2590 7202.

Programme

Today
9am Performance by a rock band in the Junior College canteen
9am Performance by an Irish group in the auditorium
11am Pottery workshop in the art room
11am Performance by a Spanish group

Tomorrow
12pm Performance by Mcast
2pm Martina Zammit interviews dancer Maria Gauci and mentor Rachel Calleja
3pm Performance by the Junior College Orchestra
8pm Open Mic at Venue18 with Inizjamed

Friday
9am Performance by an Italian group
11am Performance by a Bulgarian group
1pm Performance by Teatru Kulleġġ
2pm Closing ceremony

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