The second edition of Integrarti Festival

Celebrating Cultural Diversity through Art

Having started as a pilot project in 2025 through Art Council Malta’s Regional Cultural Cooperation and Development Fund, the second edition of the Festival has been furthered by the Port Regional Council for the 2026 Region of Culture year with the need of continuing to celebrate cultural diversity through art.

This year’s edition combines the innovative and collaborative approach of the first edition, building upon its foundations and connections to create unique initiatives across the Region’s 11 localities. The aim of the project is to allow space for initiatives that may highlight the rich tapestry of cultures we have in our Region in public spaces so that, together, a shared culture and practice of exchange is fostered.

FLORIANA: 12th April

On the 12th of April, the Port Regional Culture sought to make its second Regional Mosaic accessible to a broader audience through a collaboration with No Barriers Malta. In particular, this was done through the provision of transport with the Hal Far Outreach centre.

To add to the festive spirit of the event, a further collaboration took place with Infinity India Malta providing a henna workshop with a cultural stand on the day as part of the Taħt il-Loġog – Artisinal Market, Floriana.

FLORIANA: June 2-19th 2026

Port Regional Council in Support of Refugee Week Malta 2026

A Festival of Arts, Culture, Encounter and Collective Reflection

The second Integrarti initiative of the 2026 year was the collaboration with the Dance Beyond Borders Foundation on the Official Launch of Refugee Week Malta 2026 — the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the creativity, contributions and resilience of people seeking sanctuary.

This year’s festival centres around the Maltese theme “Qlubija” — Courage — a deeply human form of courage rooted in compassion, empathy and the heart. Through more than 30 events taking place across Malta, Refugee Week Malta explored migration, belonging and shared humanity through art, performance, dialogue and collective experience. Refugee Week Malta further reflects on Malta’s own histories of movement and migration, inviting audiences to recognise courage not as something distant or abstract, but as something already present in everyday life and within our communities.

The launch event coincided with the unveiling of a special artistic installation titled “Qlubija: The Courage to Learn”, developed in collaboration with Blue Door Education and VX-Foundry. Inspired by the overhead portrait installations displayed during Jum Floriana celebrations, the installation featured a large suspended artistic banner displayed across the street. The installation remained on display from 2 to 19 June, corresponding with the duration of the festival.

The official launch took place on the 2nd of June 2026 at 6:30pm in Pjazza Papa Gwanni XXIII, St Anne’s Street, Floriana, mediated in part by the Port Regional Council.

The Port Regional Council is proud to support initiatives that strengthen social cohesion, intercultural dialogue and community participation through the arts. Through Integrarti and the Region of Culture 2026 programme, the Council continues to invest in cultural projects that celebrate diversity, inclusion and shared experiences.

Full programme available at: www.refugeeweekmalta.com

ISLA: June 27th 2026

On the 27th of June, and as part of the Regional Mosaic event Ħġejjeġ, the Port Regional Council in collaboration with the Human Rights Directorate and Colombian Maiz Restaurant Malta, held an event at St. Michael Bastion, Senglea (Isla) titled The Story Pot.

The goal of this initiative was to bring cultural awareness through a migrant-led cooking session, building upon the work carried out by the Human Rights Directorate for ConnACT (Connecting through Adult Community Training), an Erasmus+ project. Members of the public, Active Ageing Isla, as well as the community police and Local Councillors and representatives joined us for the evening, making this a truly unforgettable night for exchange and awareness.

This collaboration was furthered through a follow-up research-based approach that created new relationships between the Isla Local Council and the HRD and which allowed for the collection and translation of Local Council services and resources for an informational booklet to be printed and published by the end of the year.

See how the event went here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DausSx5j_Qz/?stkn=N3ZibGZxOXlrZWEx

Later on that evening, as part of the Regional Mosaic event, the Columbian-Maltese cultural exchange was completed with an electrifying performance and workshop with the local Gaita Rhythm band SONGAIA.

BIRGU: September 4th 2026

The Port Regional Council was present with a stand and supportive of the annual Community Police Cohesion Event. Besides assistance provided in the planning stages, this event created an opportunity for cultural exchange in another of the Port Regional Council’s localities.

BIRGU: October 10th 2026

Three spaces, three musical voices — one experience on the 10th of October, from 20:00 to 22:00.

Following last year’s successful collaboration on the Integrarti Festival between the Port Regional Council and the Birgu Local Council, the Port Regional Council was given two new platforms through which to further strengthen cultural and musical exchange within the locality.

This year’s programme places a particular emphasis on the power of music to connect communities and inspire hope. It features the VOCA Choir performing an original song dedicated to mental health, which has been translated into all EU languages, alongside a performance by the Serbian KUD DUKAT Choir in the church and a contribution from SONGAIA, a group of Colombian heritage.

These diverse musical encounters have inspired the theme of Tnemnim—the flickering of light—which serves as a symbol of the resilience of groups who, even during difficult times, have found strength, solidarity and hope through singing.