Malta Biennale 2026
comes to a close
The second edition of the Malta Biennale came to a close yesterday evening, during a
ceremony that was held at Fort St Elmo, in Valletta.
Under the artistic direction of Sean Buhagiar, the closing ceremony featured a live
orchestra, with a five-piece repertoire by Cher Camilleri and Michael Azzopardi,
juxtaposed by speeches by Heritage Malta (HM) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Noel
Zammit, Malta Biennale 2026 President and HM Chairman, Mario Cutajar, and H.E. the
President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono.
President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono, and winner of the People’s Choice award, Halil Altindere, being awarded at the closing ceremony.
During the closing ceremony, the last Maltese Falcon Award recipient was also
announced – the winner of the People’s Choice award being Halil Altindere, whose
works Star Wars: Knights of Malta vs Ottoman Drones (2026) and Star Wars: Royal
Hunt (2023) were on show at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta.
HM CEO, Noel Zammit, said that throughout this edition of the Malta Biennale, visitors
to Heritage Malta’s sites and museums discovered Malta’s historical heritage through
a new lens – that of contemporary art. This was made possible not only through the
artworks themselves, but also through the series of activities organised in parallel with
the Biennale. “We are closing this second edition of the Malta Biennale with a sense of
pride, but also with a sense of anticipation. The Biennale has planted a seed that will
grow into a strong tree with far-reaching roots. It will continue to inspire, it will continue
to provoke thought, and it will continue to strengthen Malta’s cultural sector long after
this evening has passed,” Mr Zammit said.
During his speech, Malta Biennale President, Mario Cutajar explained how, “The
second edition of the Malta Biennale is, in my view, the cornerstone of future editions,
just as the first edition constituted our building blocks and foundation. The greater
success achieved through this edition highlights the relevance of the Biennale both for
HM as well as our country. For HM, the Biennale is one of the agency’s most effective
tools in achieving a renewed vision for its museums and sites – making them more
accessible and relevant – while for our country, the Biennale provides greater visibility
to our heritage to both local and foreign audiences.
“It is immensely satisfying to see our country being recognised as a preferred
destination during the Malta Biennale, and this alone already demonstrates that the
beauty of our islands is reaching further afield and gaining wider appreciation. None of
this would have been possible without the dedicated team behind the Malta Biennale
and the committed HM employees who worked tirelessly from one project to the next,”
Mr Cutajar said.
H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, said that throughout these past
weeks, Malta Biennale 2026 transformed the country into an open space for creativity,
dialogue and reflection, while once again demonstrating the power of art to connect
people and give voice to diverse realities and experiences. The President remarked
that the Biennale went beyond being an exhibition of artistic works, becoming a living
platform where contemporary creativity engaged meaningfully with Malta’s cultural
heritage and historical spaces. She also highlighted how “this edition continued
to strengthen Malta’s international reputation as a centre for contemporary art
and cultural exchange, while encouraging critical thought, inclusion, and wider
participation in culture, particularly among younger generations.” The President
concluded by expressing hope that the Biennale will continue to inspire new ideas,
foster positive change, and strengthen the role of culture at the heart of society.
The Malta Biennale 2026 unfolded across 11 weeks with an international exhibition
together with national and thematic pavilions hosted in 11 Heritage Malta historic sites
and museums in Valletta, Vittoriosa (Malta), and Xagħra and Victoria (Gozo). With over
130 artists participating from more than 50 countries, the Biennale also included a
strong public programme of events for audiences of all ages, which comprised satellite
events, artist-led activities, performances in public spaces, hands-on workshops, and
more.
Titled Clean | Clear | Cut, the international exhibition was curated by acclaimed artistic
director Rosa Martínez. During the Biennale, HM sites and museums were activated
through the dialogue created between contemporary art and cultural heritage, and
through the marriage of past and present.
The full schedule of exhibitions, participating artists, pavilions and events in the public
programme can be viewed on www.maltabiennale.art. The official guidebook of the Malta
Biennale 2026 can be downloaded for free from the website, and the catalogue can be
purchased online or at one of the 11 sites in which the Malta Biennale took place.
The Malta Biennale was organised by Heritage Malta in partnership with Arts Council
Malta, Visit Malta, the Valletta Cultural Agency, and Public Broadcasting Services. The
Malta Biennale was also held in full collaboration with the Ministry for Culture, Lands
and Local Government, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and the Ministry
for Gozo and Planning.
Photos courtesy of: Malta Biennale 2026 / Heritage Malta.
