70 applications from across 22 countries around the world were received in response to the call for satellite events to form part of the wider Malta Biennale 2026 programme.
Heritage Malta said that this is the second in a series of three international calls to come to a close, with an encouraging number of applications received from Malta.
The second edition of the Malta Biennale will take place from the 11th of March, to the 29th of May, 2026, in Valletta, Birgu, as well as Xaghra and the Cittadella in Gozo.
The satellite events will not form an integral part of the Malta Biennale but will be organised to coincide with the international contemporary art platform which takes place across historical sites and museums managed by Heritage Malta.
The first to close was the call for artists to submit contemporary art proposals to participate directly in the Biennale. That call, which closed at the end of June [1] , attracted more than 3,200 proposals, which demonstrated an increase of almost 30% in comparison to the proposals received for the first edition.
Heritage Malta explained that at present, the curatorial process of selection to inform the main exhibitions of the Malta Biennale 2026 is steadily underway. The selection process for Satellite Events has also commenced.
“The very strong response and interest we’re receiving for each of the calls augurs incredibly well for the second edition of the Malta Biennale. This encourages us further so that, through the Malta Biennale, which is held across several museums and historical sites managed by Heritage Malta, we can provide a value-added experience to all visitors by meeting the goals and objectives set out for such initiatives; firstly for Maltese and Gozitan audiences, but also for all those visiting our islands during the Malta Biennale 2026,” said Mario Cutajar, President of the Malta Biennale 2026 and Chairman of Heritage Malta.
Mr Cutajar added that, “the second edition must strengthen and build upon what we started in the first, so that we can fortify the foundations for future editions of the Malta Biennale which, despite being one of some 350 biennials organised around the world, was firmly established from its onset.”
The Call for Pavilions will close in the coming weeks; this will be the last international call for participation on this international art platform, which is being organised under the distinguished patronage of the President of Malta.
The Malta Biennale is a Heritage Malta initiative, organised in partnership with Arts Council Malta and in collaboration with Visit Malta, the Ministry of Culture, Lands and Local Government, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism.
File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary