There are many, many thousands of people worldwide who just for the love of it sing, dance, perform street theatre, conjuring and general entertainment publicly, not to make money but to gain the satisfaction of it as an outlet for their amateur aspirations by an appreciative audience.
Many, many more thousands appreciate such performances knowing they are genuinely amateur and not making money or for financial gain but just to provide artistic entertainment for the man-in-the-street and families.
Then you have to be in Malta for the annual NOTTE BIANCA, the biggest annual arts and culture festivals in the Islands, for one special night, held every first Saturday of the year and this year being held as usual in Malta’s capital city Valletta, on Saturday, 5th October.
The Covid pandemic killed all aspirations for two years but it is now back with a bang.
Organised by Festivals Malta, Notte Bianca is one of Malta’s biggest annual arts and culture festivals. For one special night, every first Saturday of October and the Valletta cityscape lights up with a spectacular celebration of the arts that is open to the public free of charge.
Valletta’s streets, piazzas, churches, state palaces and museums are transformed into venues for a myriad of live performances and concerts, while many cafés and restaurants extend their opening hours. The entire city of Valletta, from City Gate to Fort St Elmo, comes alive for Notte Bianca, guaranteeing a memorable night that truly holds something for everyone.
When interviewed, Notte Bianca Artistic Director Antoine Farrugia commented:
“My colleagues call it Notte Bianca, others call it White Night or even Lejl Imdawwal (a White Night in Maltese) …Nuit Blanche for the French or La Noche en Blanco for our Hispanic friends…. I love to call it Your Night.
“Yes, Your Night, because while we create, we focus on you, our dearest audiences, your expectations, your enjoyment.”
He continued by describing the event as an important showcase for Malta’s most talented local artists and an opportunity to enjoy various international productions.
When interviewed, Festivals Malta CEO FRANS AGIUS emphasised this is an unique event with more than 50 performances all in one night. “It is a celebration of the arts, offering different forms of artistic displays including visual arts, theatre, dance, music and much more. It is truly a feast for lovers of the arts”, he said.
All in all, Notte Bianca is, and has always been, an event where different people can come together to celebrate a rich and diverse culture for mainly amateur Maltese and international performers and transforms capital city Valletta into a canvas of colours for one special night.
Calls from amateur international artists wishing to perform an event are more than welcome and international visitors in Malta on the night will register events to be remembered.
This is an event that normally attracts 60,000 to 70,000 spectators, mainly families and children and is an ideal night in which to really integrate with the Maltese Islands!
The following are the details for those who wish to participate or attend:
Festivals Malta
13, Europa Centre
John Lopez Street
Floriana, Malta
Tel: 00356 2334 7301
The following points are worth noting:
Malta Public Transport will be operating as usual to Valletta, with some routes being extended till late. For more information, please visit the Public Transport website
Sea ferries will operate from Sliema Ferries to Valletta (Water Polo Pitch) and from the Threes Cities to Valletta (Opposite the Barrakka Lift) and back, with an extension of services until 2am.n Lopez Street,
Floriana FRN1400, Malta
As most of Valletta will host entertainment events and thousands of people, the following roads will be closed for traffic: St Mark Street, Old Bakery Street, Melita Street, Girolamo Cassar Street, West Street, Old Bakery Street, St Christopher Street, Merchant Street, and St Dominic Street.
By Albert Fenech
