Kicking off the festival is the Spark Fest, a family-friendly day set to celebrate and connect people from all walks of life.

Spark15, a leading NGO dedicated to supporting refugees, hosted an event on 18th June, aiming to foster a space of joy, creativity, and inclusivity, and will feature children’s activities, intercultural cuisine, live music, speeches, and discussions about homelessness and housing.

Following Spark Fest, a Community Photography Exhibition co-created with the community, and led by Katel Delia, opens on Monday, 19th June, and runs until Saturday, 24th June, from 9am to 5pm.

The exhibition showcases Malta through the lens of people who have experienced displacement. A Meet the Artist session is also scheduled for Monday, 19th June, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

On World Refugee Day, Tuesday, 20th June, a March for Peace will take place, where participants will walk in silence to promote peace and acknowledge the struggles of those who have left their homes due to conflict. The march will start at 6pm in St George’s Square, Valletta.

The festival continues with “Rooting Kinship,” a garden gathering hosted by Dance Beyond Borders and Friends of the Earth Malta.

On Wednesday, 21st June, a herb growing workshop will commence at 6.30pm followed by a vegetarian BBQ from 7.30pm onwards. The event aims to strengthen connections to the earth and remind attendees of our shared natural heritage.

“Malti-Etnik,” a music and dance pop-up street performance, will occur across three localities on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of June. Organised in collaboration with the Malta International Arts Festival (MIAF) and Festivals Malta, the performance aims to create an accessible space for locals and internationals to celebrate Malta’s cultural diversity.

Closing the festival is “Geġwiġija,” a pop-up library event, offering an evening of words, dance, food, and joy at Afro Deli, Gżira on Sunday, 25th June from 6pm onwards. The event focuses on migration, diaspora, and displacement and invites attendees to listen to a variety of ideas and languages that reflect our diverse world.

Refugee Week Malta 2023 aims to celebrate diversity, promote social change, and stand in solidarity with refugees. The events throughout the week are designed to bring communities together, emphasising compassion and unity in diversity.

Will you be attending any of these events?