Sliema’s bigger arts festival this year brings home the reality of migration

The Sliema local council’s arts festival this summer will be themed on migration, an issued that has been on the European agenda for years now.

The Sliema Arts Festival this year will be in support of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station, with the theme ‘A Place Called Home’ emphasising the journey refugees endure in order to leave their war-torn country, and at times, its fatal consequences.

MOAS will have two interactive art projects running throughout the festival weekend. ‘The Gift’ by world renowned artist Alfredo Jaar will see patrons participate by taking a gift from volunteers as they walk along the promenade. ‘The Journey’ will see patrons would come to the MOAS booth and be a part of a mapping project.

Christopher Gatt, the former director of St James Cavalier, is part of the organising team.

A Theatre Stage has been constructed on one of the two ponds in the Independence Gardens. This stage will host a number of theatre acts, dances, puppet shows and live rapping.

The events will be taking place on the promenade stretch above the Independence Gardens up to Fond Ghadir beach, where most artists will be found producing their works of art, as well as a food and drink court and an artisan market of over 35 stalls.

The Bay Stage will feature upcoming bands and acoustic sets at the Independence Gardens, together with the Alternative Rock Stage and ‘Rock The Beach’ hosted by No Sweat Productions beneath the Sliema tower.

A unique, chill-by-day and party-by-night atmosphere will be hosted by Duncan F and Alex Thomson at Surfer’s Paradise on the beach stretch between the Tower and Surfside.

The Reggae Pon Di Beach area will be hosted by JUULS Café. And on Saturday 16 July, Perpendicular will host an early evening party at Surfside beach.

A park-and-ride service will run for just €2 from 8pm to 1am from 15-17 July from Tigné Point.