Victoria International Arts Festival

Victoria International Arts Festival Music / Arts The artistic director of the festival is Prof.

Launched in 1998, the Festival has gone beyond the fondest dreams of the organizers to the extent that for some years now, the Festival has established itself solidly as Malta’s longest-running high culture event with an ever-widening international dimension. The creation and inclusion of the Victoria International Arts Festival in the popular festa season in honour of St George, Protector of the

island of Gozo, was an innovation that confirmed St George’s basilica’s leading role in Gozo’s cultural scene. Joseph Vella, composer, university lecturer and perhaps the most esteemed musical director in the Maltese islands.

VIAF 2026 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'www.viaf.org.mtChoral Recital by the Laudate Pueri Choir (director: George J. Frendo)Monday ...
13/06/2026

VIAF 2026 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'
www.viaf.org.mt

Choral Recital by the Laudate Pueri Choir (director: George J. Frendo)

Monday 15th June, St George's Basilica, 8pm

The Laudate Pueri Choir of St George's Basilica, who also organises VIAF, is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Choir’s 50-year history and reputation have confirmed the Laudate Pueri as a leading interpreter of classical music, both sacred and secular. The motets featuring on this evening’s programme are by four of the greatest composers of sacred music, namely, Palestrina, Perosi, Bartolucci, and Joseph Vella, whose works have established the choir as a formidable exponent of the genre. These works form an integral part of the repertoire that the Choir regularly sings during the Liturgy at St George’s Basilica, not only on important feast days but every Sunday during the 11am Mass.

Entrance is free.

St George's Basilica

VIAF 2026 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'www.viaf.org.mtThis evening opening concert is the first of 31 musical and artistic events t...
12/06/2026

VIAF 2026 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'

www.viaf.org.mt

This evening opening concert is the first of 31 musical and artistic events that VIAF is offering this year. Tomorrow, a piano quintet from the Mozarteum, Salzburg, will perform a concert of works by Haydn, Bruch, Beethoven, Piazzolla and more. This will be at the Aula Mgr G. Farrugia, 8pm. Entrance is free.

VIAF is sponsored by Arts Council Malta, the Ministry for Gozo, the Kunsill Reġjonali Għawdex, and more.

11/06/2026

Festival will start with an all-Spanish/Latin American concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra

VIAF 2026 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'This year's opening concert (Friday, 12th June, 8pm) will feature an all-Spanish/Latin Ameri...
16/04/2026

VIAF 2026 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'

This year's opening concert (Friday, 12th June, 8pm) will feature an all-Spanish/Latin American repertoire, including the much-loved Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo. The star performer is Simon Schembri, together with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Philip Walsh. The venue is Teatru Astra.

Entrance is free but seat reservations are recommended by sending an email to [email protected]

𝐕𝐈𝐀𝐅 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔On a poignant day that recalls the passing of VIAF's first Artistic Director, Mro Joseph Vella, the organising ...
25/02/2026

𝐕𝐈𝐀𝐅 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

On a poignant day that recalls the passing of VIAF's first Artistic Director, Mro Joseph Vella, the organising committee led by George J. Frendo, is proud to launch VIAF 2026. An uninterrupted series of 29 editions has firmly secured VIAF as one of the islands' leading Festivals. With concerts ranging from the orchestral to the choral, to big bands, soloists and chamber ensembles of all possible kinds, exhibitions and fringe activities, VIAF offers a wide and eclectic range of musical and cultural events.

For this year's opening concert, VIAF is proud to host world-class guitarist Simon Schembri, who will be performing the much-loved Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Philip Walsh. This opening concert, which will consist of Spanish and Latin American music, will take place at Teatru Astra on Friday 12th June 2026 at 8pm. Entrance to all events is free of charge, but for the opening concert it is important to book your seat on [email protected]

We look forward to having you with us for 30 concerts between 12th June and 13th July 2026. VIAF, like its founder, is a gift that keeps on giving.

VIAF 2025: A wonderful tribute to Mgr G. Farrugia, to culture, to beauty. Long may it last.St George's Basilica Il-Ħaġar...
15/07/2025

VIAF 2025: A wonderful tribute to Mgr G. Farrugia, to culture, to beauty. Long may it last.

St George's Basilica Il-Ħaġar - Heart of Gozo Museum Arts Council Malta Cultural Heritage Directorate - Ministry for Gozo & Planning Kunsill Reġjonali Għawdex Rabat - Citta’ Victoria

VIAF 2025 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'In Honour of Mgr G. Farrugia (1852-1925)www.viaf.org.mtAnd the 28th edition of VIAF comes to...
10/07/2025

VIAF 2025 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'
In Honour of Mgr G. Farrugia (1852-1925)
www.viaf.org.mt

And the 28th edition of VIAF comes to a resounding close this Monday, 14 July, at St George's Basilica, 8pm, with a concert featuring works by Joseph Vella (VIAF's co-founder and first artistic director), Vaughan Williams, and Giuseppe Farrugia, to whom this edition was dedicated. Farrugia's 'Messa pei Defunti' (1891), which has not been played since its one performance in 1892, will see the light of day by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of VIAF's resident conductor, Philip Walsh. The Laudate Pueri Choir of St George's Basilica (director: George J. Frendo) together with the Ca****la Sanctae Catharinae (director: Alex Vella Gregory) will join soloists Antonino Interisano (Tenor) and Louis Andrew Cassar (baritone). The work has been edited for modern performance by Francis Camilleri. Entrance is always free, that's our policy!

Thanks to all who make this work!

Arts Council Malta Cultural Heritage Directorate - Ministry for Gozo & Planning

VIAF 2025 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'In Honour of Mgr G. Farrugia (1852-1925)www.viaf.org.mtThis year's 28th edition of VIAF is d...
10/07/2025

VIAF 2025 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'
In Honour of Mgr G. Farrugia (1852-1925)
www.viaf.org.mt

This year's 28th edition of VIAF is dedicated to one of Gozo's most illustrious citizens, Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia. Prelate, orator, musician, architect, designer: you name it, he excelled at it. St George's Basilica and La Stella Philharmonic Band are privileged owners of much of his loved music, and Saturday's concert by the La Stella Philharmonic under the direction of Mro John Galea, will not only be dedicated to Mgr Farrugia but the programme will exclusively feature works that Farrugia wrote for La Stella. A few of these pieces have never been performed since his time. The concert, on Saturday 12 July, will be held in St George's Square and will start at 8pm. As usual, it's a free entry.

Arts Council Malta Cultural Heritage Directorate - Ministry for Gozo & Planning

VIAF 2025 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'In Honour of Mgr G. Farrugia (1852-1925)www.viaf.org.mtThe ethos of VIAF has always been two...
09/07/2025

VIAF 2025 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'
In Honour of Mgr G. Farrugia (1852-1925)
www.viaf.org.mt

The ethos of VIAF has always been two-pronged: cultural and educational. Its focus on up-and-coming young musicians and artists, encouraging them to perform and exhibit their talents to a live audience has never wavered. A special lunchtime concert in this regard will be this Saturday, 12th July, at the Aula Mgr G. Farrugia, 11.30am. Three promising debutants will be given a platform to perform on. These are Thiago Said (Pianoforte), Nikolai Matvei Mifsud (Saxophone) and Kristina Mifsud (Pianoforte). Come along and encourage tomorrow's professionals! The concert is free of charge.

Arts Council Malta Cultural Heritage Directorate - Ministry for Gozo & Planning

VIAF 2025 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'In Honour of Mgr G. Farrugia (1852-1925)www.viaf.org.mtThe Auric Saxophone Quartet are well ...
09/07/2025

VIAF 2025 'THE GOZO MIRACLE'
In Honour of Mgr G. Farrugia (1852-1925)
www.viaf.org.mt

The Auric Saxophone Quartet are well known for their exquisite musicianship and wonderful entertaining! Coming over from London, they will be with us this Friday, 11th July, with a programme of works by Telemann, Bach, Rimsky-Korsakov, Elgar, Shostakovich, Watson, and more. The venue is the charming courtyard of the Bishop's Curia on Republic Street. The free entry policy is a bonus!

Arts Council Malta Cultural Heritage Directorate - Ministry for Gozo & Planning

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