First Edition of Festalingwi to be held this Sunday at Valletta University Campus

University of Malta Valletta Campus
The First Edition of Festalingwi is set to be held this Sunday 24 September from 2pm onwards. The one-day event promises an exciting programme of over 20 linguistic activities to be held at the University of Malta Valletta Campus, in honour of the European Day of Languages. This festival is a collaborative effort between the University of Malta and the European Commission Representation in Malta, with the goal of generating cultural exchange and celebrating the diversity of languages among people of all ages.
Activities for younger visitors include a performance by More or Less Theatre called ‘The History of Malta and Maltese’, French classes modified for children, and the captivating final of the Żanżan Kelma Maltese spelling bee. The festival is also offering inclusive introductory courses on Maltese Sign Language, Maltese as a foreign language, and even the uncommon Basque (Spanish-French) language.
There will also be talks dedicated to open discussions regarding the role Maltese and English play in society in the face of globalisation. For those interested in literature, Inizjamed, a local NGO committed to the revitalisation of culture and artistic expression in Malta, will be leading a literary workshop. What’s more, the Department of English Students Association (DESA) will have a stand where you can go get tested on your grasp of literature.
And that’s only the beginning, no festival is complete without music! That’s why the festival will be closed with performances by two Maltese-centric acts at 7:30. Djun, a local band who bridge the gap between catchy pop music and Maltese lyricism, will headline the festival. Mariele Żammit and Christian Borġ will bring a unique performance to the table, with their fusion of traditional għana and jazz elements.
Did I mention, all of the Festalingwi activities are free of charge? Although, the musical performances require the presentation of a (free) ticket which can be bought online.
Regardless of how old you are or how comfortable you are with the Maltese language (or any language really), this is a great opportunity to further your understanding in a way that’s fun and entertaining. See you there!