January Newsletter
Malta Indie Shorts – January
If you consider yourself a bit of a film buff who’s always on the lookout for new talent, get yourself to St. James Cavalier for their monthly event: Malta Indie Shorts, on the 13 January. Or, better yet, submit a short film of your own to be screened at future editions of the event. This month, the selected films for screening are:
- Mr Teddy Is Angry (2021) – Dir. Fabrizio Ellul (Animation)
“A giant teddy appears in the Valletta Harbour. The media goes into a frenzy, and havoc soon follows.”
- L-Istedina (2021) – Dir. Nicole Cuschieri (Fantasy)
“A woman enters an art gallery and is captivated by all the characters in the paintings. But only one of them can set her free.”
- The Back-Up (2019) – Dir. Maxime Durand (Action / Comedy)
“A shoot-out between gangsters and the police erupts on a rooftop. Despite neither side giving up, the thieves are outnumbered. As they call in for help, the question is – through which route is their back-up traveling?”
Date: 13 January
MedFilm 2022
Once again, Spazju Kreattiv is proving that it really is the hub of indie film in Malta, with yet another film festival gracing its screens this month. The MedFilm festival will feature eight films (feature lengths and shorts), directly form the Medfilm festival in Rome. The event is supported by Arts Council Malta and intends to investigate “the beauty and fragility of the sea, part of the vastness of the oceans, but also the fulcrum of our cultures.”
Dates: 21-23 January
Valletta Baroque Festival 2022
With a wide and varied programme featuring some of the world’s most highly acclaimed baroque-style musical talent, and venues including the Manoel Theatre, St John’s Co. Cathedral, and the Grandmasters Palace, the 9th edition of the Valletta Baroque festival is easily one of our unmissable cultural events of the month!
Dates: 14-28 January
Motherhood Exhibition – Michelle Gialanze
Local artist Michelle Gialanze will be displaying her latest artistic exhibition at The Malta Society of Arts (Palazzo De La Sall, Valletta) between 13-27 January. The exhibition will explore different facets of motherhood, including: ‘the emotional, physical and spiritual, portrayed through a series of oil paintings.’ Michelle’s previous work includes her successful exhibitions ‘Hidden’, and ‘Is-Simenta’, in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Dates: 13-27 January
Il-Gazin Vilhena Band Club
Music fans, this one’s for you. Il-Gazin Vilhena Band Club in the heart of Floriana has easily become the go-to for jazz music and a trendy atmosphere on a Friday night. Self-described as ‘not your ordinary band club’, the location is known for regularly hosting some of Malta’s best musicians. It’s understandably popular with the locals, so we’d recommend booking a table ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Check out their Facebook page below for regular updates.
Azar
Malta foodies, this new eatery in the heart of Sliema will have your tastebuds singing this January. Azar offers a limited selection of dishes featuring a variety of international flavours for you to try, and a super chic atmosphere to complement the dining experience.
Bonus: the restaurant also caters to vegetarians and vegans, so there is bound to be something on the menu for everyone.
St Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat
If an afternoon of history is what you’re after, why not pay a visit to St Pauls Catacombs in Rabat? The catacombs date all the way back to the 7th century AD and served as a burial ground for the Punic and Romans during their reign on the Maltese islands. They’re located on the outskirts of this quaint town and are a super-interesting historical site to visit (if you haven’t already). Once you’re there, take a short walk through the picturesque streets of Rabat and stop by Serkin for a classic pastizz (cheese pastry), for the full Maltese experience. This is what Sundays are made of…!
Singing Masterclass with Jennifer Larmore
For the first time ever, renowned mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore will be in Malta offering a classical singing masterclass to a lucky group of participants (10 active, and 10 passive). If you’re classically trained and want to take your skills to the next level, this masterclass is for you. Apply for the workshop by sending your CV to: clareghi@hotmail.com
Dates: 4-9 January
