The second edition of the ZiguZajg International Arts festival for Children and Young People was launched at an event which was attended by Minister of Finance, the Economy and Investment Mr Tonio Fenech and Minister for Tourism, Culture and the Environment Dr Mario de Marco.

ZiguZajg, which will be held between the 19th and 25th of November 2012, is once again being organised by the St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity.

This year the festival is celebrating its first birthday and everyone is invited to ZiguZajg’s “quccija,” during which Valletta will once again be transformed into a haven for the arts. Music, story-telling, animation, film, dance and theatre are just some of the exciting ingredients of a festival designed to capture the imagination of the young and young at heart.

The festival programme boasts a rich variety of Maltese and international productions designed for young audiences, including specially commissioned works, which will make for an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.

Festival director Toni Attard explains that “ZiguZajg is proposing no less than twenty-five productions brought to us by some of the best in the Maltese arts scene, as well as performers from Australia, the UK, Italy, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Portugal.”

In a drive for enhanced accessibility for patrons attending performances during the festival, the ZiguZajg Arts Festival this year also features an inclusive platform, including a selection of performances in sign language. “We aim to achieve, yet again, an enriching, diverse and enjoyable festival experience for all,” says Toni Attard.

The festival programme has also been tailored for schoolchildren to attend performances in the morning, while all shows will also be taking place during the evenings throughout the week of the event, including the weekend. ZiguZajg venues include St. James Cavalier, the Auberge de Castille, the National Library, the Manoel Theatre, the Italian Cultural Institute, the Mediterranean Conference Centre and the MITP. St. George’s Square will host Frulli Frilli, a walk-through experience inspired by the popular Maltese book ‘Il-kaz kwazi kollu tal-ahwa De Molizz.’

A celebratory puppet parade will animate Republic Street on the last day of the festival bringing together youth groups, professional dancers and musicians to creatively mark Valletta’s title of European Capital of Culture in 2018.

ZiguZajg will also be introducing a Fringe Festival between the 16th and 18th of November, which will be a platform for young bands, ensembles, theatre groups and artists eager to present their work to young audiences.

Tickets to the ZiguZajg Festival are free of charge but subject to booking via the festival website at www.ziguzajg.org. Tickets can be collected from St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity in Castille Square, Valletta.

ZiguZajg 2012 Festival Facts

• number of venues 19

• number of companies 27

• number of productions 25

• number of performances 136

• number of participating countries 8

• Expected Attendance 17,000

• Morning Programme 5,580

• Afternoon Programme 11,420

Photos show scenes from ‘Crazy Hair,’ ‘Missing’ and ‘The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer,’ three of the 25 productions forming part of the ZiguZajg Arts Festival for Children & Young People.

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