The fourth edition of Refugee Week Malta (RWM25) returns this week, with various events aimed at contributing to a more inclusive society.
The arts and cultural festival seeks to create a space for encounter; one that brings people together to share stories, develop connections and foster understanding among individuals from different backgrounds.
The theme for this year, ‘community as a superpower’, is a reminder that building caring communities is an urgent and beautiful act, made possible through everyday kindness, courage and the choice to show up for one another. It also urges people to take small steps that lead to big changes.
“Community is not simply a place to live, but a commitment to be present, show empathy and express mutual respect. This Refugee Week, we invite everyone − newcomers and long-time residents − to ask yourselves: what small actions can I take to help those around me feel welcome?,” the organisers said.
RWM25 is celebrating the newly established Advisory Group, a collective of people from asylum-seeking communities and local organisations working in migration, the arts and culture.
The group’s guidance has expanded this year’s programme to over 20 events spread across five strands: exhibition, participate, film, awareness-raising and gather and celebrate.
“This reflects an evolving vision of Refugee Week Malta − not just a series of events but a movement that expands beyond that, offering the possibility to collectively build bridges, create belonging and imagine a future where diversity is not only welcomed, but celebrated as our greatest strength,” the organisers added.
The festival is this year teaming up with media partner African Media Association Malta and is collaborating with 18 collectives, organisations and public entities working across the fields of migration, human rights, arts, culture, food and the environment, namely: Malta Refugee Council, Spark15, Ġustizzja għall-Palestina, MOAS, Blue Door Education, Migrant Women Association Malta, Migtantour Malta, MGRM, Geġwiġija Library, Unfinished Arts Space, PONKS Collective, AISO Academy, Malta International Arts Festival, Nenu the Artisan Baker, Friends of the Earth Malta, JustNature, University of Malta and the Gżira local council.
Key highlights of the festival are:
Kisra Ħobż: An exhibition sharing stories of bread-making, migration and memory from Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Eastern European and South Asian diasporas. It highlights bread’s multiethnic roots and its universal role in carrying culture, traditions and wisdom. This exhibition is a collaboration between Dance Beyond Borders, Malta International Arts Festival and Maypole. Viewing times: From June 16 to 22, noon-10.30pm, at Nenu the Artisan Baker, Valletta.
Flaneur: A poetic tribute to Ħamrun’s interlinked soul: the independent stores, the souls that make them what they are, and the street connoisseurs that cruise them. Various activities will be led by PONKS Collective from June 15 until June 22 at the Scouts premises in Ħamrun.
Roots in Exile: Sima Hosseini, who was forced to leave her home in Iran and has built a new life in Marsascala, presents an exhibition where her art beautifully weaves Maltese landscapes with Kurdish culture to explore memory, beauty and belonging. For this event, the artist and architect collaborated with Unfinished Art Space. One can view her works at Hastings Gardens, Valletta, on June 17 from 6 to 8pm.
Pride & (In)Visibility: MGRM’s documentary, The Distance We Call Home, sheds light on the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ migrants in Malta, from refugees to third-country nationals. It is being shown at Storeroom, Ta’ Xbiex, on June 19 at 7.30pm.
Conference: Marking World Refugee Day 2025, the theme of this year’s conference – ‘Protection Begins at Sea’ − draws attention to the urgent need for safe and humane migration policies in the Mediterranean. The event, hosted by the Malta Refugee Council, is taking place at the Catholic Institute, Floriana, on June 20 from noon to 5.30pm. Registration is required.
Refugee Week Malta 2025 is produced by Dance Beyond Borders and made possible thanks to the Arts Support Scheme, Right to Culture of Arts Council Malta, together with support from Festival Malta’s Malta International Arts Festival, Medina Asset Management, APS Bank, RiskCap Ltd, Finco Trust Group of Companies, AQA Capital Ltd, Accolade Group, HSBC Foundation, Team Humanity and Association for Peace, Justice & Equality.
For a full schedule of events, visit https://linktr.ee/refugeeweekmalta or the event’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
This article was provided by Refugee Week Malta.