Rediscover to Align: A New Dawn for Malta’s Cultural Scene

Picture this: a warm summer evening in St. George’s Square, Valletta. The sun begins to set, casting a golden glow over the grand Baroque architecture. But instead of the usual humdrum, there’s an electric buzz. People are gathering, not for a protest or a performance, but for something entirely new: a ‘Rediscover to Align’ event. What’s going on?

What is ‘Rediscover to Align’?

‘Rediscover to Align’ is an innovative initiative that’s set to transform Malta’s cultural scene. It’s all about realigning our appreciation for local arts and culture. The brainchild of local artist and activist, Mario Vella, the project aims to create a more interactive, inclusive, and sustainable cultural scene.

Vella explains, “Malta has a rich cultural heritage, but we’ve become complacent. We need to Rediscover, to appreciate what we have, and to Align, to ensure our cultural scene moves forward sustainably.”

How Does It Work?

‘Rediscover to Align’ works on several levels. Firstly, it’s about rediscovering our cultural heritage. Events will take place in historic locations, like the upcoming one in Mdina, encouraging participants to engage with our past.

But it’s not just about history. ‘Rediscover to Align’ also aims to align the cultural scene with contemporary issues. Each event will have a theme, from sustainability to social justice. Artists will create site-specific installations, performances, and workshops that respond to these themes.

‘Rediscover to Align’ is about aligning the cultural scene with the community. Events are free and open to all. They’re designed to be interactive, encouraging participants to engage with the art and with each other.

Why Now?

So, why launch this initiative now? Vella believes the time is right. “Malta’s cultural scene is at a crossroads. We’ve seen a boom in arts and culture, but we’re at risk of losing our way. ‘Rediscover to Align’ is about taking a step back, reassessing, and realigning our cultural compass.”

Plus, there’s a practical reason. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Malta’s cultural scene hard. ‘Rediscover to Align’ offers a safe, outdoor alternative to traditional indoor events.

But it’s not just about survival. Vella sees the pandemic as an opportunity. “We’ve been forced to rethink how we do things. ‘Rediscover to Align’ is about embracing this change, using it to create a better, more sustainable cultural scene.”

What’s Next?

After the successful launch in Valletta, the next ‘Rediscover to Align’ event will take place in Mdina on September 18th. The theme? Sustainability. Artists will respond to the historic city’s environmental challenges, encouraging participants to think about their own impact.

But ‘Rediscover to Align’ isn’t just about big events. Vella is also working on a series of smaller, community-led initiatives. “We want to see ‘Rediscover to Align’ events happening in every town and village,” he says. “We want everyone to feel part of this cultural realignment.”

So, will you be joining the ‘Rediscover to Align’ movement? Will you be Rediscovering our cultural heritage and Aligning with our community? The time is right. The stage is set. The question is, will you be part of the story?