Valletta 2018 Events in Gozo

As the year rolls on, it’s good to note that this year Gozo’s own cultural calendar is somewhat richer through the extra dose of cultural events related to Valletta 2018.

Here’s a list of various events, planned by different organisers.

Solar Cinema:
The concept of Solar Cinema has been travelling the world for ten years, bringing unseen films to unusual places, all powered by 100% solar energy. The mobile solar-powered cinema now makes its way to various public spaces in Gozo with a curated programme of local and international short films.
Organised by Solar Cinema Malta, Valletta 2018
• 19th June, St. Joseph Square, Qala – 8.30pm – Free Entrance
• 9th July, Ramla Beach, Xagħra – 8.30pm – Free Entrance
• 11th September, St Lawrence Square, San Lawrenz – 8.30pm – Free Entrance

Rockastra
A highlight of the local music calendar this live, open-air music spectacle attracts crowds to the heart of Rabat, Gozo, with a unique line-up of contemporary artists from the Maltese Islands.
Created and rganised by Teatru Astra, supported by Valletta 2018.
• 8th June, Republic Street, Victoria

TAFXNAF
Tafxnaf gives children a voice through storytelling and film. In 2018, the results of creative workshops will be presented at a red-carpet premiere in Malta, in Gozo, and during a showcase in Leeuwarden and Aarhus.
Organised by Valletta 2018, Kenneth Scicluna in collaboration with Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2018 (NLD), Aarhus 2017
• Date and time to be announced in due course

LEONE GOES POP
Colin Attard leads the ninety-piece Leone Band in a free open-air concert where timeless contemporary classics meet the latest chart-topping hits as well as live and electronic music!
Created and organised by Leone Philharmonic Society A.D. 1863, supported by Valletta 2018 and Victoria Local Council, with the participation of Leone Band and various artists.
• 9th June, Indpendence Square, Victoria – 9.00pm

THE WIZARD OF GOZ
Kinemastik is preparing this event for the children of Gozo and the rest of the world. It is a lovingly selected programme of playful short films for children, tackling the subject of magic and modern wizardry.
Created and organised by Kinemastik, Valletta 2018
• July 2018

CONSTELLATION MALTA
An experimental and multi-disciplinary project designed to generate dialogue about contemporary art and popular culture in public spaces and heritage sites all over the Maltese archipelago. A series of site-specific interventions, performances and exhibitions shed new light on diverse historical and popular venues on the Islands.
Curated by Rosa Martinez and organised by Valletta 2018
• October to December 2018

GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER
Through interdisciplinary collaborations and a series of skill development workshops in various aspects of theatrical production, Get Your Act Together empowers diverse creatives working on the theatre circuit with the know-how to jump-start quality community-conscious projects.
Created and organised by More or Less Theatre in collaboration with Arts Council Malta, supported by Malta Arts Fund Multi-Annual Support Grant.
• Touring regions from October – December 2018

TOSCA
Aurora Opera House presents Giacomo Puccini’s timeless classic Tosca, which speaks of a dangerous love triangle between the glamorous opera singer Floria Tosca, the love-driven painter Mario Cavaradossi, and one of opera’s most memorable villains – the police chief Baron Scarpia. Melodrama and lyrical arias haunt this enduring masterpiece.
Organised by Aurora Opera House, musical direction by Maestro Colin Attard, supported by Gozo Cultural Support Programme, Valletta with the participation of Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.
• 13th October, Aurora Opera House, Victoria.

LA TRAVIATA
In 2018, audiences will be able to enjoy a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s timeless opera, La Traviata. Adapted from the novel The Lady with the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas, fils, this opera in three acts centres around the tragic heroine, Violetta. A wonderful staging of Verdi’s work, with artistic direction by Enrico Stinchelli and music by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.
Organised by Astra Theatre, directed by Enrico Stinchelli and supported by Valletta 2018, Gozo Cultural Support Programme with the participation of Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.
• 25th & 27th October, Astra Theatre, Victoria – 7:30pm

FESTIVAL MEDITERRANEA
An annual celebration of culture, where a varied programme of opera, classical and symphonic music, and activities related to drama and history throw light on Gozo’s rich Mediterranean identity.
Created and organised by Astra Theatre with the participation of La Stella Band, with the support of Gozo Cultural Support Programme and sponsored by BOV, Coca-Cola, Citadel Insurance and Valletta 2018.
• 25th October – 17th November – Diverse venues across Gozo

ŻIGUŻAJG – INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
ŻiguŻajg is an annual international arts festival with a programme of high-artistic excellence for children and young people that’s comprised of new work by Maltese artists together with productions from international companies. The 2018 edition will be a special one with a larger number of events and outreach initiatives around Malta and Gozo.
Organised by Fondazzjoni Kreattivitaˋ in collaboration with Valletta 2018
• 16th – 25th November 2018

PERCUSSION
A programme of contemporary works for percussion ensemble featuring percussionists Daniel Cauchi, Luke Baldacchino and Kristian Schembri.
Created and organised by Teatru Manoel, Malta Association of Contemporary Music, Valletta 2018 in collaboration with Citadel Cultural Centre with the participation of Daniel Cauchi, Luke Baldacchino and Kristian Schembri.
• 17th November, Cittadella Cultural Centre – 8.00pm

Source of Event Information:
Valletta 2018, Gozo Calendar of Events pamphlet published by Valletta2018.