Cospicua To Become Living Theatre For Ninth Cospicua Short Play Festival

This weekend, Cospicua will be transformed into a living theatre as the ninth edition of the Cospicua Short Play Festival takes place on 18 and 19 September.

Over two days, the historic streets of the Santa Margherita area will become the stage for nine theatrical productions, bringing together art, culture and the community in a unique setting.

The festival was announced by Minister for Local Government and Public Works Alison Zerafa Civelli together with Cospicua Mayor Marco Agius, in the presence of representatives and participants involved in the event.

This year's edition will feature seven competing short plays and two invited productions, Esplora and Opening Doors. The competing productions were selected from 45 scripts submitted through an open call for writers. The seven selected authors then chose the directors, actors and theatre groups who will bring their work to life.

Minister Alison Zerafa Civelli said initiatives like this demonstrate the important role Local Councils play in promoting culture and strengthening communities.

"The Cospicua Short Play Festival is a clear example of how Local Councils can create opportunities for Maltese artists while bringing culture closer to the community and breathing new life into our public spaces," she said.

She added that the Government will continue supporting cultural initiatives that encourage local talent, strengthen the identity of localities and attract audiences from across the country.

Mayor Marco Agius thanked the Government for its assistance and support in ensuring the festival can continue to grow. He said this support is essential for the Local Council to keep investing in cultural activities that strengthen the Cospicua community and reinforce the city's place on Malta's cultural map.

Festival Artistic Director Joseph Galea also announced the launch of the first phase of the Cospicua Short Play Festival website. The platform will provide greater visibility for the festival, its productions and the artists who have helped shape the event over the years.

The Cospicua Short Play Festival was first held in 2018 after the Cospicua Local Council secured funding through a cultural activities scheme to create a lasting cultural project for both the local community and the artistic sector. Since then, the festival has grown into an important event for Cospicua and a recognised fixture in Malta's cultural and theatre calendar.

Over the years, the festival has also served as an important platform for emerging artists to experiment and develop their skills, while giving established artists the opportunity to continue exploring new ideas and different forms of theatre.

The ninth edition of the Cospicua Short Play Festival will take place on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September in the Santa Margherita area of Cospicua.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: DOI - Clayton Pace