Malta to host first art biennale in 2024

The Mediterranean island nation of Malta will organise its first art biennale in first half of 2024. Conceived as a Mediterranean biennale, its inaugural edition comes with theme of 'insular thinking' that has drawn over 2,500 proposals by artists from 75 countries. The biennale will start from March 11 and continue through the month of May. Artistic Director Sofia Baldi Pighi tells India Outbound about the preparations for the biennale.

- Triya Ghosh

Q How is the Maltese biennale different from other exhibitions? What makes it unique? 

Malta boasts 7,223 years of civilisation. Thanks to Heritage Malta and the partnership with UNESCO, World International Heritage, many of the island’s cultural treasures will become the venues in which maltabiennale.art will unfold. The Central Pavillion, the National Pavillions and the Thematic Pavillions will take shape within the island’s most illustrious and evocative sites.

These sites, symbols of Maltese history and Mediterranean civilisation, are not mere locations for intervention. No urban environment, let alone a cultural treasure steeped in history, is ever neutral and silent. To envision new possible futures for the Mediterranean region, we must rekindle our affection for the places that constitute our history and diverse cultural identity. We hope that the artists’ vision will reveal an unwavering trust in individual and collective transformation.

What kind of participation are you expecting?

maltabiennale.art is developing a public programme aimed at bringing contemporary art closer to the public. The focus is to ensure a comprehensive Art Education and Museum Strategy, designed to bridge the gap between contemporary art and a non-sector audience, fostering an inclusive and intergenerational approach. The programme will engage individuals of all ages, from children and teenagers to adults and senior citizens, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to appreciate and participate in Malta’s rich cultural heritage.

The initiative is driven by the understanding that currently, participation in cultural life and the enjoyment of cultural heritage requires extra special attention, to ensure that engagement and content is considered across the spectrum.

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