Valletta

<span>Malena is the utterly unforgettable story of a boy’s journey into manhood amid the chaos and intolerance of World War II. In a sleepy Italian village, Malena, the most beautiful woman in town, becomes the subject of increasingly malicious gossip among the lustful townsmen and their jealous wives. But only her most ardent admirer, young Renato Amoroso, will learn her mysterious untold story.</span>

The festival will have a dedicated think-tank strand, bringing together influential stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions and share experiences on pressing topics such as environmental sustainability, social justice, and personal well-being. This inclusive platform invites communities to actively participate in these conversations, fostering exploration, appreciation, and the acquisition of valuable insights into the pivotal role of the arts within society.

AERIAL by Paolo Mangiola, the company director, collaborates with pianist Tricia Dawn WIlliams to explore the ‘bird’s eye view’ and bird migration patterns, set to intricate compositions by John Cage, John Adams, and Ezio Bosso. The delicate movements unfold on a miniature scale, drawing inspiration from cinematic perspectives, establishing a unique dialogue between dance and music. CANTATA by Mauro Bigonzetti, is a visceral dance journey reclaiming Southern Italy’s musical heritage, portraying a continuous interplay of opposites through passionate choreography. Together, these works create a dynamic fusion of movement and music, promising a captivating exploration of emotions and contrasts.

In a Wharf (1752) that holds centuries of reconstruction, Claire Tonna presents the concert Ballad For The Lived nurturing the wharf’s same nature; becoming a place of loading and unloading. A transference, exchange and a sharing of courage and kindness to all at the port, be they arriving or departing on their journey of survival, healing and simply being in the present societies we live in. This concert is a ballad for the living, a story that shares wisdom, adventure and love. The compositions performed share a cloak of courage and faith in the human heart, a power that lives in each one and is revived and remembered through the togetherness and connections we inevitably share.