Notte Bianca Malta will be held this year as in previous years in Valletta on Saturday 5th October.
It is a night – long feast of culture and art throughout Malta’s capital city. All sorts of amazing entertainment and culture make the streets of Valletta come alive.
Churches, cultural locations and museums are opened for visitors at no payment. There are various exhibitions, dancing and theatrical events.
There is even a comedy train explaining a ‘history’ of valletta.
The Malta Council for Culture & the Arts has the responsibility to organise the Notte Bianca together with the Ministry for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. Large numbers of people visit it every year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhRXbCdgoHY
UNOFFICIAL PROGRAMME
MILONGA MALTIJA
Time: 8pm to 11pm | Venue: Victoria Gate Bridge
A Milonga is a space dedicated to dancing Argentine Tango. By the Maltese Argentine Tango Association
L-GĦANNEJ FUQ IL-MEJDA
Time: 7pm to 1am | Venue: Nenu the Artisan Baker, St Dominic Street
Għana is the music of the Maltese people. During Notte Bianca some of the finest Għana singers will
be singing tales inspired by the stories of their audience. Each għannej will be meeting the people,
learning about them and celebrating their story in this rich musical tradition.
FILM SWAR
Time: 7.30pm to 2am| Venue: The Ordnance Pub
This year’s film festival will be paying special tribute to legendary Italian film director and scriptwriter
Federico Fellini. The festival will also be airing a selection of Maltese works. This project is in
collaboration with the Malta Film Commission and the Malta Film Network.
PJAZZAPAZZA
Time: 7.30pm to 1am | Venue: St. George’s Square
Hip-hop dance, guggen bands and parcour troupes, featuring Urban Echo Troupe, MalteseMotion and Big Friends Guggen Musik.
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra is also giving a concert with a difference. Conducted by Mro Brian Schembri and featuring the music of Karl Fiorini and Mezzo Soprano Clare Ghigo.
PLATTPOEŻIJA
Time: 8pm to 12am | Venue: Pjazza Repubblika
The life and work of much loved local poet Rużar Briffa are the inspiration for two distinct artistic
projects. These projects coincide with the 50th anniversary since Briffa died. Żifna tal-Poeta is a
contemporary dance performance with live music. The piece is choreographed by Sarah Vella – a
Maltese Berlin-based dance artist. The Għaqda tal-Malti Universita’ presents an interactive programme,
Il-Poeta tas-Sbuħija is an installation that goes beyond the divide between the “popular” and the “literary.”
The public near Pjazza Repubblika is invited to write in either verse or prose on used letters, paper
bags, or cigarette packets, as Rużar Briffa used to do 50 years ago. The public can then submit their
writings in a specially provided nearby box. Selected writings will be read aloud or uploaded online.
IL-KWARTIERI TAL-JAZZ
Time: 7.30pm to 1.30am | Venue: Marsamxett Harbour
Smooth jazz music featuring Chill Est, BlackJack Jazz Quartet, Tact (Tartaglia’s Act), Pawlu Abela Quartet, and Marc Galea.
FOLK FERRY
Time: 6.30pm to 8pm, | Venue: Gozo Channel Special Service
This year for the first time in Notte Bianca, the Gozo Channel Ferry will be berthing directly in Valletta
Cruise Point. Not only that but the Ferry itself will be joining in with all the Notte Bianca fun and
madness with a special programme of events for anyone travelling by sea, including live folk music
by Ta’ Verna and Tal-Fulklar folk groups.
NOTTE BIANCA COMEDY TRAIN
Time: 8pm to 12am | Pick up points: Castille Place, Auberge de Baviere, Victoria Gate
Hosted by the Wembley Store Boys, the Notte Bianca comedy train will be a ride of laughs and
giggles around Valletta. You can hop on the train and experience a 20 – minute comedy routine
inspired by the sights and scenes of the capital. The train will be operating its usual rides between
6pm to 8pm and 12am to 2am.
URBE NOVA LIVE PREMIER
Time: 8.30pm, 9.30pm, 10.30pm, and 11.30pm | Venue: Auberge de Castille – Facade | 7 minutes long
Urbe Nova will be premiering during Notte Bianca as an architectural projection on the façade of
the Auberge de Castille. Urbe Nova is an online choir community project celebrating Valletta being
appointed European Capital of Culture 2018. It features a digitally edited and animated mix of choir
pieces from worldwide choirs created using webcam technology bringing diverse cultures together for
the first time. More information can be found at www.vrbenova.eu.
MERCHANT OF VALLETTA
Time: All night long | Venues: Merchant Street to Archbishop Street
Merchant Street to Archbishop Street will be taken over by various street artists, from fire dancers, street magic,
musicians to dramatic monologues… coordinated by Creative Island.
REENACT
Time: 8pm to 12am | Venue: All along Republic Street
A series of sketches sporadically occuring. You might encounter a group of Knights or even some angry French soldiers..
NAXRA
Time: All night long | Venue: Strait Street
A fashion exhibition inspired by the endearing Valletta custom of hanging the laundry out on
the balcony. Look up at 91 Strait Street for some high fashion. Designed by Lorraine Lewis,
Leanne Lewis and Thea Vella.
AFTER HOURS
Time: 11pm until late | Venue: St Lucy Street, Strait Street, and Victoria Gate
Enjoy the celebrations well into the night with our After Hours, featuring jazz at Bridge Bar,
world music at San Pawlu Nawfragu, and a DJ set at Str.Eat Whiskey Bar.
VARIOUS MUSIC
Soċjeta` Filarmonika u Banda Cittadina King’s Own – Auberge de Castille Courtyard
Soċjeta` Filarmonika Nazionale ‘La Valette’ – Auberge de Castille Courtyard
Joe Demicoli, Benny & Tonia and the Breezes at Auberge de Baviere – St. Sebastian Street
Leone Goes Pop – Pjazza Teatru Rjal (7pm to 8.30pm)
Orchestra and choir at Italian Cultural Institute – St. George’s Square (9pm onwards)
Choral concert by Pontifical Mission Societies – St. James Church, Merchant Street (8.30 pm to 10.15pm)
ĠGANTIJA
Time: All night long | Venue: St George’s Square
A large-scale structure inspired by the city of Valletta was created by a group of artists and Carnival Float Makers.
Concept and design: Mark Sullivan, Ed Dingli and Sebastian Tanti’ Burlo. Construction by Norman Hill.
IL-PALAZZ TAL-BUŻULOTTI
Time: 6pm to 12am | Venue: President’s Palace Courtyard
A magical night for kids will be found at the President’s Palace Courtyard with games and activities and interactive theatre.
BAND’OĦRA
ROCK STAGE:
St James Music Room: SkyCity – Rise – Footprints – Milk Mi – The Crowns – Explicit
St James Theatre: Infinite Loop – Native – Divine Sinners – Zeriouz Funk – Fuse Box – Planet Seed – The Myth
FOLK STAGE: Lissen Festival
Pjazza Teatru Rjal: Mistura – Vince Fabri – No Bling Show – KażinSka – Danjeli
ALTERNATIVE STAGE:
Manoel Theatre: Yorika Attard – Knockhead Vinyls – Saving Alexis – nosnow/noalps – Mikaela – Skimmed -For Strings Inn
METAL STAGE:
MITP Courtyard: Nomad Son – Insurgence – Weeping Silence (Diane Camenzuli previously known as DiCa) – Norm Rejection – Twenty-Six Other-Worlds – Loathe – 12th Ode
CHOIR BOX
Time: 8.30pm to 10pm and from 11pm to 12am | Venue: Stairs of St. John’s Co-Cathedral
An interactive choir outside St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Using the Jukebox playlist, select the song you would like to hear performed live
by the Joy Gospel Singers. Donations will be collected in aid of the Community Chest Fund.
LIBRERIJAMAĠIJA
Time: 7pm to 1am | Venue: National Library Hall
Six master Maltese magicians will perform at the National Library’s majestic hall. Features magicians from the Malta Magician’s Society.
ELEVATED LITERATURE
Time: All night long | Venue: Valletta Lift – Barrakka
A narration team of two shall meet commuters and accompany them on their journey
up (or down) the Barrakka lift, recounting and animating a short story with zest and gusto. Your
entry into (or exit from) the breathtaking city of Valletta will never have been so enchanting. This is
a Revolt production.
SCIENCE IN THE CITY
Time: 6pm to 2am | Venue: Upper Barrakka Gardens
Science in the City forms part of the pan-European event called Researchers’ Night and will be extended to Notte Bianca. The public is invited
to participate in several innovative and entertaining activities of science-inspired art, theatre, and music. The
activities will take place in the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
PINTATEATRU
Time: 8pm to 12am (on the hour) | Venues: Auberge de Provence, Auberge D’Italie, Palazzo
Parisio, Palazzo Castellania
PINTATEATRE celebrates 20th anniversary since the death of Francis Ebejer who is Malta’s major playwright. Four theatre groups are holding a contemporary site-specific piece inspired by
his life and works.
BALLUN
Time: All night long | Venue: Zachary Street
A magical balloon installation in Zachary Street by balloon artist Carmel Galea.
FJAKKAJT
Time: 6pm to 2am | Venue: Suq tal-Belt
A fascinating gastronomical event featuring traditional local and international foods and wines, plus music played by electroswing DJ’s from Electro-Swing Malta.
MISRAĦ IL-MUŻIKA
Time: 7pm to 1am | Venues: St Paul’s Street, Great Siege Square, Strait Street, Republic Street
Classical, opera and brass band music is to be played live all throughout Valletta. The St Paul’s Street stage shall reconstruct the
traditional planċieri, which were used for concerts of band clubs around Valletta.
The Strait Street stage will feature musicians Laetitia Amodio, Equinox Duo, a trio composed of
Kimberly Marie Grech, David Debono and Louise Zammit, Barocco Foundation and Centre Stage.
Classical singers Joseph Aquilina and Karen Camilleri accompanied by pianist Simone Attard will also be performing. Harpeggios and Unjoni Brass Quintet will be performing sets on the specially
elevated stage in St Paul’s Street.
Other orchestras and bands will include the Junior College Orchestra, Għaqda Każini tal-Banda, Armed Forces of Malta Band, Guitar Ensemble and Police Band which will be playing at Great
Siege Square. The Stargate Quartet will play at the Chemimart Balcony in Republic Street until 10pm, while the Barber Shop Boys and Cordia String Quartet will be playing alternate sets in
Strait Street.
ŻIFFAŻFIN
Time: 7.30pm to 12.30am | Venue: Hastings Garden
Hastings Gardens will feature lots of dancing, from flamenco, cha cha cha, rumba and samba. It will feature Alegria Dance
Company, the Latin Dance Company managed by Amanda Amaira, Paul Curmi Dance Company, Dance Works and D’Arte Dance Company.
TAL-KULUR
Time: All night long | Venue: Pjazza Teatru Rjal
Tal-kulur is the first in a series of large scale ‘ropeworks’ that interact with objects, buildings
and spaces, by Pierre Portelli.
VILLAĠĠ
Time: 6pm to 2am | Venue: St. James Bastion
Villaġġ, a trade fair for various exhibiting entities, will be held at St. James Bastion.
THE GREAT FLEA MARKET
Time: 6pm to 2am | Venue: Hastings Garden
Notte Bianca’s Great Flea Market will feature florists, portrait artists, antiques, crafts, car-boot sales, home-made foods and
all other sorts of stalls. Furthermore, folklore groups Ta’ Verna and Tal-Fulklar will be also wearing traditional costumes and playing Maltese folk music.