One of the most anticipated and energetic sections returns to the Malta Festival 2025 program: “Witches”. This year, its central event will be a communal celebration of Midsummer Night – the Summer Solstice by the Warta River, led by Rita Małgorzata Daniło-Gorlewicz.

The period of the summer solstice marks the time when the sun reigns over the moon, the masculine over the feminine, day over night, light over darkness, good over evil – in the dual reality of earthly existence. It is the longest day and shortest night of the year. The bright side of nature draws us toward joy, playfulness, experience, and the discovery of our own inner light and strengths. It is a time of energy and growth.

Yet, when we fall out of sync with nature’s rhythms, we risk missing the full potential of this luminous season – which is why it is so important to care for ourselves throughout the year.
The summer solstice is not limited to a single night but extends over several days of heightened energy. This year, Kupala Night falls on Saturday, June 21, while Saint John’s Eve is celebrated on the night of June 23^rd into June 24^th. Though these celebrations are distinct, they share a common spirit and origin – both emerge from nature’s eternal cycle, when light triumphs over darkness.

The Midsummer Night program will include a Slavic gymnastics session, wreath-weaving workshops, and a performative gathering focused on life force and sexual energy. At dusk, a bonfire will be lit, around which ancient Slavic rituals will be reenacted. The gathering will unfold in a space filled with sensuality, mindfulness, and communal strength, in close harmony with nature and its rhythms.

As part of “Witches” section, we also invite you to Atrium UAP for “Overcoming Illness” –  a talk combined with a meditation session and a concert of bowls and gongs, led by Małgorzata Dec.

The core principle of holistic medicine is the belief that balance and harmony across all aspects of human life are essential for health and happiness. In our daily rush, disconnected from our bodies, we often fail to listen to them, treating them as objects – exposing ourselves to illnesses we attempt to fight chemically, through medication. This approach easily leads to self-destruction and nervous breakdowns.

The gong is considered the most resonant musical instrument. Present in human history for over 5,000 years, it holds a magical and mystical significance in Eastern cultures. The sound of the gong is not only heard – it is felt throughout the entire body. Its sound waves directly affect cells, emotions, and thoughts, bringing deep relaxation, visions, waves of colour, and often intense internal cleansing.

Additionally, on June 25, Slavic gymnastics workshops will take place, during which Rita Małgorzata Daniło-Gorlewicz will introduce participants to the fundamentals of this practice, with particular focus on working with the pelvic floor muscles.

We invite you to join us in experiencing the summer solstice – a time of power, light, and harmony.