The Malta Festival is one of the most important cultural events in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. For over three decades, it has created a space for dialogue between various fields of art, cultures, and ideas. The festival serves as a multidisciplinary platform where theater, dance, music, visual arts, film, and performative forms come together, crafting a unique program open to experimentation.

A key feature of the Malta Festival is its social and inclusive character. It extends beyond closed stages, taking to streets, squares, and public spaces to engage a wide audience, transforming the city into a vibrant artistic stage. The festival also fosters reflection on contemporary issues—ranging from ecological concerns to social and political challenges—often within a global context.

Moreover, Malta consistently champions diversity and promotes values such as community, equality, intercultural dialogue, and freedom of expression. As a result, the event not only captivates artistically but also inspires change and engagement.

The 34th edition of the festival took place from September 7 to 15, 2024, in Poznań, concluding with great success and drawing nearly 30,000 participants. Under the patronage of Dominika Kulczyk, the festival opened a new chapter, emphasizing women’s art and the relationship between humanity and nature. The program was rich and seamlessly integrated into the city through numerous free events.

During this interdisciplinary celebration, audiences had the chance to meet Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins, who presented his play “Topsy Turvy”, and to witness a stirring performance by ANOHNI and the Johnsons. The opera “Sun & Sea”—a beach performance staged on 25 tons of sand and a Golden Lion winner at the Venice Biennale—was another highlight. The festival’s literary section attracted audiences with meetings featuring Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk and Miriam Toews, author of the Hollywood-adapted “Women Talking.”

The festival’s grand finale was an open-air concert by Lake Malta, featuring performances by Parov Stelar, L.U.C and Rebel Babel Orchestra with Kayah and Kwiat Jabłoni, and the band Hollow Coves. Meanwhile, the Festival Club offered an eclectic lineup of DJs curated by Poté.

The Malta Festival will celebrate its 35th edition in 2025. Over the years, artists such as Radiohead, Damon Albarn, Jane’s Addiction, Beirut, Charlotte Gainsbourg, CocoRosie, and Devendra Banhart have contributed to its legacy. Through the groundbreaking work of theater makers like Romeo Castellucci, Needcompany, Pippo Delbono, and Gisèle Vienne, the festival has marked significant milestones in the map of European performing arts. For the people of Poznań, Malta represents theater that surprises around the corner and captivates on the streets.

Reinvigorated with a new, feminine energy, the festival continues to evolve in exciting directions, bringing the most intriguing cultural phenomena from around the world to Poznań. It invites audiences to explore the world of art from a female perspective.

Preparations for the jubilee edition are already underway, blending tradition with innovation, Poznań with Europe, entertainment with reflection, and most importantly, art with its audience.