NEW RHYTHMS FOR AN AGE-OLD TRADITION

IN THE PAST, IF YOU FOUND YOURSELF WALKING AROUND MALTA'S VILLAGE CORES, YOU WOULD OFTEN END UP LISTENING TO THE STRUMMING OF GUITARS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE ISLANDS' CHARACTERISTIC LIMESTONE BUILDINGS.

You were bound to find people gathering, typically men, seated on wooden chairs singing melodies that are alien to the ears of most European mainlanders. Għana (pronounced a-na), Malta’s very own folk song tradition, is an essential part of Malta’s sonic identity and has been for centuries.

Despite its decreasing popularity, Għana remains alive and well each year through a festival celebrating Għana’s contribution to the canon of world music. Ritmu Roots Festival Malta will look at Malta's traditional music through an alternative lens. This year Ritmu will be taking place between the 2nd and 10th June and will offer a range of activities for locals, expats and tourists alike.

The main events for the festival will be happening at the scenic Argotti Botanic Gardens in Floriana on the 9th and 10th June. Throughout these two days, visitors are invited to join us for a lively lineup of events at these historic gardens which will feature local artists, performances by musicians from around the world including legendary gypsy-jazz musician Tchavolo Schmitt, stalls where visitors can explore Malta’s colourful musical history and more.

Beyond the two days at Argotti Botanic Gardens, the festival will be kicking off on the 2nd June by inviting audiences to a traditional għana session hosted in Żejtun at the garage of Mikiel Cumbo “L-Iżgej ”. “L-Iżgej ” is an għannej particularly known for singing għana fil-għoli, a now rare form of high pitched għana

Following this opener on the 2nd June, the festival will then continue to unfold at The Splendid in Valletta with “Bil-Mixi Ġejt: The Life & Times of Bambinu”, an exhibition dedicated to legendary għannej Mikiel Abela “Il-Bambinu” curated by multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Charlie Cauchi. This will be complemented by performances by local fusion band Gitgħana, a screening of an ethnographic documentary in Maltese by Adrian Camilleri and music workshops. For more information on Ritmu Roots Festival Malta visit www.festivals.mt/ritmu

SHRINE: FINDING SOLACE IN THE CHAOS OF LIFE

VENUE:

MUŻA, Merchant's Street, Valletta

DATE:

7th July - 13th August 2023

OPENING HOURS :

7th July 18:00 - 22:00hrs

Remaining dates, Monday - Sunday

10:00 - 18:00hrs

ONLINE:

Instagram: @studioaquilina

Alexandra Aquilina is presenting a vibrant and provocative celebration of pop culture and everyday objects which have been infused with a healthy dose of irony and satire in her first solo exhibition at MUŻA, Valletta. Characterised by bold imagery and vibrant colors, her work is created using techniques such as large format screen printing and sculpture. She draws inspiration from history, folklore, and international mass media to deliver a sensory feast that challenges our perceptions of art and the world around us.

Curated by Lisa Gwen, the exhibition tackles themes of life, spirituality, and mortality through the lens of a Catholic upbringing, resulting in a collection of raw and highly intimate works. With a graphic design approach and frequent use of provocative imagery, Aquilina's work invites the viewer to engage with the artworks on a visceral level.

WORDS VILLA BOLOGNA