‘Qalbna Magħkom’ – Malta Stands In Solidarity With Palestine Through Art And Culture
The Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, together with Arts Council Malta and Heritage Malta, will be organising “Qalbna Magħkom”, an event of solidarity and awareness on the situation in Palestine, following Malta’s official recognition of the State of Palestine.
“Today, the struggle for awareness and humanity cannot be excluded from the cultural sphere. When we conceived the idea of ‘Qalbna Magħkom’, we wanted art to become a voice of solidarity and reflection. With Malta having officially recognised the State of Palestine, this event reaffirms our commitment to pursue peace through dialogue. Moreover, the Grand Master’s Palace will be open free of charge to all those attending,” The Minister for Cultural Heritage, Lands and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, stated.
“We approached groups who hold this cause close to their hearts, among them Moviment Graffitti, Justice for Palestine and the Embassy of Palestine in Malta, so that together we could strengthen this message of solidarity and hope. This event offers a space for reflection and solidarity through art,” Minister Bonnici added.
“We felt the need to support this event because we firmly believe that art has the power to stir awareness, to bring people together and that in moments like these, culture can become a bridge between our nation’s values and the aspirations of a people who have long sought recognition and peace. We do not see this event merely as an evening of performance, but as a moment when art becomes a universal language of unity and hope. We see it as a moment of moral and social responsibility, a moment where a small country like ours can show that its heart is large enough to stand with the Palestinian people,” Arts Council Malta Chief Executive Luke Dalli explained.
“When war is only something your ancestors have lived through or something you hear about on the news happening to people far away, it is impossible to truly grasp its cruelty. This is why, through some of the sites and museums under its care, Heritage Malta works to remind us of the horrors of war and the need to strive for peace. The agency’s participation in this event further underlines its commitment to ensuring that humanity learns from its mistakes, leaving wars to stain the pages of history, but not the present nor the future,” Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive, Noel Zammit, remarked.
The event will take place on Saturday, 27th September 2025, from 6:30 p.m. onwards at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta.
Under the artistic direction of Daniel Cauchi and Yanis Azzopardi, the programme will include Akshara, a multidisciplinary exhibition by Benji Cachia; a performance by Jolene Samhan and her band; readings of Palestinian authors’ works presented by Inizjamed; a photography exhibition by Rene Rossignaud with images direct from Gaza; a performance by the Palestinian Youth Group; and the installation “Lest We Forget” by local artist Michell Borge.
Also present at the launch were artistic director Daniel Cauchi, singer Jolene Samhan and Heritage Malta CEO Noel Zammit.