Everything to expect at the ŻiguŻajg Festival 2023
As Malta’s much anticipated yearly arts festival for kids and teens, ŻiguŻajg is set to make its return starting next week under the direction of Marta Vella. With an amazing lineup of local and international projects, including two films, ŻiguŻajg Festival 2023 promises an experience that will captivate young audiences. Between November 10 and 19, this 10-day jam-packed event will offer a wide variety of up to 16 enchanting projects. Here’s a look at some of the dazzling productions that will hit the festival stages in Valletta and Floriana.
Ages 0-4
'ladder to the stars'
Starting with the very youngest, the 0–4 year old category greets the youngest viewers with four delightful projects meant to stimulate and sharpen the senses. ‘Meet Me a Tree’ is an opera for kids that takes audiences on a multisensory trip through a tree’s life. Classic opera pieces by Schumann, Delives, and Handel are included in this lovely and calming experience, among others. The show provides a calm environment for new parents, babysitters, and their babies to unwind and have fun. Then, young spectators will go on an amazing adventure in ‘A Ladder to the Stars’, where they will meet Olive, a lonely girl who wants to dance among the stars.
Prepare to soar through the skies and meet the sun, moon, stars, and even a ball in ‘The Boy and the Ball’! This adorable puppet show, set in far-off Australia, explores the concept of friendship by showing how kids use play to find and form friendships throughout their early school or pre-primary interactions. Furthermore, ‘Tgħanniqa Xewkija’, or ‘Prickly Hug’ in English, brings this magical category to a close; This Maltese musical honors singing, creativity, imagination, and a little bit of magic, with original songs written by Walter Micallef.
Ages 5-7
'bonġu bejt'
Next up is the festival category for children aged 5 to 7, where ‘The Witch’s Class’ offers an engaging and hands-on experience as Ween, a witch, requests assistance with her cookery workshops. The kids will participate in numerous magical activities and assist her in creating magical mixtures. Travel Bug defies convention by transforming commonplace items into spectacular apparel, turning the known into the unknown. The diverse group of performers will provide the audience with a sensory extravaganza. Additionally, ‘Bonġu Bejt’, translating to ‘Good Morning Roof’, is a wordless, energetic performance that blends humor, bizarre imagination, live music, gymnastics, and circle art. ‘Fall and Float’ is a physical theatrical piece from France brimming with energizing dancing and bubbles!
Ages 8-10
'oktomara'
Moving on to the 8-10 year olds category, the programme offers a whirlwind of choice that is sure to captivate and excite their minds. ‘Gulliver’ promises to deliver a world of puppets and surprises, featuring little Gulliver, little Lilliputians, a crazy King, and a frightening visitor. This British production uses songs from sailors and physical theater to transport viewers to a far-off and beautiful place where they can travel with Gulliver himself. ‘Possible Worlds’ is a visual art exhibition that investigates the social and environmental landscapes and will be held in Space A of Spazju Kreattiv. It encourages education, awareness, and the exchange of viewpoints. Throughout the festival, there will be workshops related to the show.
Furthermore, The Phora10XS dance will transport viewers to an intriguing future setting. Then, ‘Oktomora’ is a dream island tale with a message of kindness and consolation for both adults and children. In the dream realm explored in ‘The Dreamcatchers’, a blind kid who can see in his dreams interacts with the Dreamcatchers, creating an engaging and thought-provoking experience. Last but not least, ‘Trouser Gir’ is the ideal way to introduce young audiences to opera.
Two additional films, ‘The Secret Kingdom’ (PG) and ‘Rosa and the Stone Troll’ (U), will be shown as part of the Żigużajg program. These movies will take audiences on thrilling journeys that they won’t soon forget! All this and more at the ŻiguŻajg Festival 2023. Plus, we hear Żigużajg have a few more surprises up their sleeve!
Many young Maltese people remember being taken to go see a ŻiguŻajg play as a kid. There’s something so magical about it that every kid can appreciate, Maltese or not. For further information about show times and venues or to purchase tickets, visit www.ziguzajg.org. And, to learn more about the different plays, have a look at the Festival Booklet here.
