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Malta - Your Top European Destination for 2024
The island’s inaugural art biennale has been highlighted as one of the cultural events to watch this year, alongside Copenhagen’s repurposed Carlsberg district and Bodø, Norway, the first Arctic Circle capital of culture.
According to The Guardian, Malta’s biennale has already generated excitement in the art world, drawing submissions from over 2,500 artists representing 75 countries.
Exploring the theme of “White Sea Olive Groves,” these artworks on display will delve into the contemporary identity of Malta and the Mediterranean from March 11 to the end of May.
The biennale will be featuring 80 artists from 23 nations, including 24 Maltese artists (two from the Maltese diaspora) and more than 20 national and thematic pavilions scattered across 21 historic sites in Malta and Gozo, 17 of which fall under the care of Heritage Malta.
While the final selection is pending, organisers have assured the participation of “several internationally acclaimed artists.” The juxtaposition of contemporary art in ancient settings, many of which are UNESCO-listed, is notable, with venues such as the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, the Armoury in the old city of Birgu and the megalithic temples of Ġgantija on Gozo being transformed into exhibition spaces for the first time.
This international contemporary art festival positions Malta as a hub of artistic creativity from March to May, catering to both locals and visitors.
The biennale, a pioneering initiative by Heritage Malta, has Arts Council Malta as its main partner. Additionally, it is supported by the Malta Tourism Authority, Malta Libraries, the Valletta Cultural Agency, MCAST, Festivals Malta, and Spazju Kreattiv, with backing from the Ministries for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Gozo, through the Culture Directorate.
Other destinations featured in The Guardian’s esteemed list include events in Germany, Tartu in Estonia, Ghent in Belgium, Bad Ischl in Austria, Genoa in Italy, Malmö in Sweden, and Strasbourg in France.
If you want more information on this exciting event, the official website for the biennale is https://maltabiennale.art/press/
