The start of the consultation process for the Strategy2030 is announced.
The Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici launched RETOLD – an initiative through which a number of projects by Maltese artists and creatives who have achieved success overseas in recent years are being exhibited here in Malta for the enjoyment of locals.
This initiative, which is being carried out by the Arts Council Malta, was launched with the first project – Urban Fabric – which is currently being exhibited in the Mdina Ditch. “Through this initiative, the public will be more aware, not only of the valuable work that is taking place in these sectors, but they can also enjoy these installations of high value, that are created by Maltese and Gozitan artists and creatives, “said Bonnici.
Minister Bonnici explained how “initiatives such as RETOLD give a suitable platform to local artists and creatives, within our own country. 10 years after the establishment of the Arts Council Malta, today we find ourselves in a position where local artists are not only achieving success in their own country but are even excelling abroad”.
Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta Luke Dalli stated that, through RETOLD, Maltese artists’ talents and skills are shown to be not so much a newfound discovery as much as an established reality which has enriched these islands for hundreds and thousands of years. Arts Council Malta’s role in all this is to help these talents reach their targets and to see that they are celebrated as much as possible. “As such, we have arrived at another crucial juncture, where we will be paving the way for the years to come through the initiation of consultations with the sector regarding Strategy2030”, Dalli announced. He concluded his speech by thanking Albert Marshall, his predecessor, for leaving behind him a healthy and positive ecosystem on which the Council will continue building the natural home of Malta and Gozitan artists and creatives.
Albert Marshall, the outgoing Chairman at Arts Council Malta, shared his thoughts via a video message. He thanked all the artists and creative practitioners who are making this project possible, and stated that “RETOLD is a significant moment that celebrates Maltese creativity and brings it closer to the public, marking ten years of commitment to the arts and culture.”
Executive Head within Arts Council Malta’s Directorate for International Cultural Relations Annabelle Stivala explained how RETOLD is an important achievement for Arts Council Malta but more so for the arts sector in our country.
“It is a unique occasion which gives due dignity to Maltese artists, for there is nothing more beautiful than for one to be appreciated by their own people. Through RETOLD, we have now started a new chapter in the arts sector in our country, where, while still fostering what we have, we will be providing all the necessary tools to sprout other successes but giving particular focus to bringing Maltese art closer to the Maltese people.
As a directorate, we are committed to continue ohering the best platform for Maltese artists to grow and be successful around the world”, Stivala stated.
Architect Matthew Casha, in the name of the project Urban Fabric, explained how Urban Fabric contextualises the heart of the traditional Maltese village by combining two elements—traditional city planning and the Phoenician-Maltese tradition of the production and dyeing of cloth. The installation uses wood, recycled rocks, and organic
cloth, which is sustainable and certified as ecological, as its main components. This is in accordance with the artists’ ethos of recyclability and ecological conscience. These components create a road-like structure which allows the viewer to directly interact with the installation.
The projects which constitute RETOLD are:
Urban Fabric – contextualises the heart of the traditional Maltese village by combining two elements—traditional city planning and the Phoenician-Maltese tradition of the production and dyeing of cloths. This project was exhibited at the London Design Biennale and was the first project exhibited by Malta at this prestigious Biennale.
Exhibition Dates: 30th June until 2nd August. Location: Imdina Ditch
Revisiting Maleth – evokes the primordial origins of the island’s existence, its historical origins, and its spacial presence in the contemporary reality of the Mediterranean Sea. This project was exhibited at the Venice Biennale. Exhibition dates: 15th July until 31st August. Location: Natural History Museum, Imdina
URNA – the winning project of the London Design Biennale 2025, an innovative project which explores the fascinating and distinctive subject of cremation. Exhibition dates: September to November. Location: Ħaġar Qim, Qrendi
The Ship (unseen) – builds on and imagines anew concepts explored in I WILL FOLLOW THE SHIP, exhibited at the Venice Biennale. Exhibition dates: 4th October until November. Location: Inquisitor’s Palace, Birgu
Homo Melitensis – this version of Homo Melitensis in 2025 provides a more compact but still incisive investigation into the perennial but not yet finished construction of identity in Malta. This project was exhibited at the Venice Biennale. Exhibition dates: 3rd October until 30th October. Location MUŻA, Valletta
ARCANGELO SASSOLINO: Diplomazija Astuta – Conflict: Fire, Steel and Paper – this version of Diplomazija Astuta, takes us back to explore the installation made out of heat, metal, fire, water and paper. This project was exhibited at the Venice Biennale. Exhibition Dates: 9th October until 3rd January. Location: Victor Pasmore Gallery, Valletta. For more information regarding the projects, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter, follow our social media, and visit https://artscouncilmalta.gov.mt/retold.
