ŻiguŻajg Festival unveils its 2026 programme

ŻiguŻajg, Malta’s leading international arts festival for children and young people, returns from 13 to 22 November 2026. Produced by Fondazzjoni Kreattività, this year’s festival will present 15 projects whereby young audiences, students and their families can explore theatre, music, dance, visual art, film, storytelling and workshops across several venues.

Now in its 16th edition, ŻiguŻajg Festival continues to create a space where young audiences are more than spectators. They are active participants in experiences that encourage curiosity, imagination and a sense of connection through art. This year’s programme brings together local and international artists, presenting work that explores themes such as friendship, identity, climate change, belonging and the impact of technology amongst others.

From the playful visual comedy of Chalk & Cheese, where two very different characters discover that friendship does not require changing who you are, to Il-Ħajja Ħolma, a Maltese-language production exploring freedom, inequality and the hidden cost of progress, the programme offers young audiences opportunities to encounter ideas through imaginative and engaging storytelling.

The festival also ventures into the worlds of dance with Sweet & Sour embracing the power of difference and unity, explores language through the rhythmic and humorous Tongue Twister, and brings audiences across cultures through Myths Across the Sea, a visually gripping story connecting Malta and Greece through the eyes of a curious explorer.

Meanwhile, One & The Other explores relationships and individuality through music and physical theatre, while Up, Up, Up combines clowning and choral singing in a non-verbal journey of discovery.For its youngest audiences, Ċaff Ċaff offers a gentle first encounter with theatre for babies and caregivers, drawing inspiration from Mediterranean rhythms and seaside discovery. Dream. Dare. Do., is a visual arts exhibition encouraging children to experiment, create and imagine who they might become.

Film and workshops form an integral part of this year's programme. Young audiences can discover the animated adventures of Papaya and The Pout-Pout Fish, while workshops including Storytelling Through Drawing and Miming encourage children to explore storytelling, creativity and performance through hands-on participation.

This year will bring back the Delegate Programme, which aims to connect local and international artists, producers and cultural professionals to experience the festival, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for collaboration. Through performances and conversations, the programme will create space for new connections and help Maltese work aimed at young audiences reach beyond the festival.

The Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage Malcolm Paul Agius Galea highlighted the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for children and young people to encounter the arts from an early age. “ŻiguŻajg gives our youngest generations the opportunity to experience culture not only as an audience, but as a space for discovery, imagination and participation. By bringing together artists, families and young people, the festival continues to nurture curiosity and create meaningful encounters with arts that can shape how children see themselves and the world around them”, explained the minister.

The Executive Chairman of Fondazzjoni Kreattività Rupert Cefai reflected on the festival’s role within Malta’s cultural landscape and said that “for sixteen editions, ŻiguŻajg has strongly created a meeting point between young audiences and the artistic community. Its strength lies in the diversity of experiences it offers. Every edition creates new opportunities for children and families to encounter ideas, emotions and stories in ways that can stay with them long after the experience itself ends”.

The Artistic Director of the ŻiguŻajg Festival Marta Vella spoke about the thinking behind this year’s programme. “This year we wanted to create a programme that leaves room for children to wonder, question, laugh, participate and see things from different perspectives.

Across the programme, there are stories about friendship, identity, difference, belonging and discovery, presented through very different artistic languages. From a baby's first theatrical experience to works that engage older children through more complex questions, the programme is united by one belief - that young audiences deserve ambitious, imaginative artistic experiences, with the freedom to explore them in their own space”, said Vella.

For ten days, ŻiguŻajg Festival 2026 will bring performances, exhibitions, films and workshops to Valletta, Msida, Birgu and Gozo. Across theatres, studios, cinemas and cultural spaces, the programme will invite children and young people of different ages to share stories, ask questions and explore their imaginations, placing them at the heart of Malta’s cultural life.

Spazju Kreattiv has also announced a call for proposals for ŻiguŻajg 2027/2028, which opens on Friday 9 October 2026 and closes at noon on Monday 30 November 2026.

"We invite creatives to submit their project ideas for consideration for the ŻiguŻajg Festival or ŻiguŻajg Season. Selected projects will form part of a curated programme of events," Spazju Kreattiv said. 

 For more information, please visit this link: https://form.jotform.com/262721845358363.