The Malta Festival is making a grand comeback! The 34th edition of this iconic event will be held from September 7 to 15 in Poznań. The organisers have unveiled this year’s agenda packed with celebrities, internationally acclaimed artists, and performances in urban spaces. The festival will also feature thought-provoking debates and unique meetings, all designed to inspire hope for a better world, with a focus on nature and women. The theme for this year’s edition, led by Dominika Kulczyk, is “To Love!”
A Rich History of Cultural Celebration
Since its inception in 1991, the Malta Festival has evolved into one of Europe’s premier cultural events. Named after the artificial Malta Lake in Poznań, the festival began as a showcase for open-air performances and quickly gained a reputation for its vibrant and eclectic programming. Over the years, it has featured an impressive array of theatre productions, dance performances, music concerts, and visual arts exhibitions from around the world. The festival’s commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and fostering cultural dialogue has made it a beloved institution in Poznań and beyond.
A New Era Under Dominika Kulczyk
Dominika Kulczyk, who took over the festival by paying off its debts at the end of 2023, aims to reunite the festival with the city. Under her leadership, the festival will highlight women’s culture, aiming to empower women and promote a balanced approach between genders.
As far as we, Poznanians, are concerned, Malta has always stood for a celebration of the city. This year’s edition will make a grand comeback. Reunification. What awaits us is the new, yet old, Malta.
Says Dominika Kulczyk
Women and Nature: The Pillars of Malta 2024
Kulczyk’s vision for the festival is to make it Europe’s most distinctive festival dedicated to women’s culture. The first thematic pillar focuses on women, aligning with the Kulczyk Foundation’s mission to advocate for women’s rights and needs. The second pillar concerns nature and environmental sustainability, reflecting Kulczyk’s commitment through her company Polenergia, which is constructing wind farms in the Baltic Sea.
Tim Robbins: The First Star Announced
The festival will host an array of artists who believe in the power of art and culture to change reality. Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins, known for his role in “The Shawshank Redemption,” will visit Poland for the first time. He will direct the Greek vaudeville “Topsy Turvy” with his ensemble, the Actor’s Gang. Robbins is not just about glitz; his group also engages with prisoners in US detention centres. The audience will have the chance to learn more about their social activism during post-performance talks.
Theatre and Opera: The Heart of Malta
The Malta Festival has always been strong in theatre and opera. This year, it features exceptional performances that push us to reflect on nature. Anne Theresa de Keersmaeker and Raduana Mrizinga will return with their latest premiere based on Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” exploring the human impact on the environment. Their performance, “Il Cimento dell’Armonia e dell’Inventione,” will prompt reflections on the ongoing climate crisis.
The festival will also host the atmospheric opera “Sun&Sea,” created by Lina Lapelyte, Vaiva Grainyte, and Rugile Barzdziukaite. This unique performance, set on an artificial beach, will offer a piercing insight into the modern world and the intricate relationship between humans and the planet. Additionally, Krzysztof Warlikowski and the Nowy Teatr will present “Elizabeth Costello. Seven Lectures and Five Moral Tales,” a play that raises important philosophical, ecological, and social issues.
Spreading Across Poznań
This year’s Malta Festival will spread joy and shared discovery throughout Poznań. The streets, squares, and plazas will be full of artists and performances. “Dominoes,” a mobile installation of giant domino cubes, will criss-cross the city, making passers-by curious. Plac Wolności will transform into a giant painting studio for the open-air performance “Gaugin’s Turtle.” The heart of the festival will beat on the Malta River, featuring performances by L.U.C. & Rebel Babel Film Orchestra and the Australian duo Hollow Coves.
Empowering Women and Promoting Balance
In support of the Kulczyk Foundation’s mission, the festival will include events and workshops dedicated to empowering women. These activities will promote freedom, awareness, and balance, aligning with the foundation’s philanthropic activities. Dominika Kulczyk invites everyone to experience the unique nature of the festival, celebrating its 34th edition and the fruition of the new festival team’s preparations.
With many more events to be announced, the Malta Festival 2024 promises to be a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and community, all under the inspiring theme “To Love.”
