The second edition of the Malta Biennale came to a close on Friday evening, during a ceremony at Fort St Elmo, in Valletta.
Under the artistic direction of Sean Buhagiar, the closing ceremony featured a live orchestra, with a five-piece repertoire by Cher Camilleri and Michael Azzopardi, juxtaposed by speeches by Heritage Malta CEO Noel Zammit, Malta Biennale 2026 president and chair Mario Cutajar, and President Myriam Spiteri Debono.
During the closing ceremony, the last Maltese Falcon Award recipient was also announced – the winner of the People’s Choice award being Halil Altindere, whose works Star Wars: Knights of Malta vs Ottoman Drones (2026) and Star Wars: Royal Hunt (2023) were on show at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta.
Zammit said that throughout this edition of the Malta Biennale, visitors to Heritage Malta’s sites and museums discovered Malta’s historical heritage through a new lens – that of contemporary art. This was made possible not only through the artworks themselves, but also through the series of activities organised in parallel with the biennale.
“We are closing this second edition of the Malta Biennale with a sense of pride, but also with a sense of anticipation. The biennale has planted a seed that will grow into a strong tree with far-reaching roots. It will continue to inspire, it will continue to provoke thought and it will continue to strengthen Malta’s cultural sector long after this evening has passed,” Zammit said.
During his speech, Cutajar said that he views the second edition of the Malta biennale as the “cornerstone of future editions”. He added that the greater success achieved through this edition highlights the relevance of the biennale both for Heritage Malta as well as Malta.
“For HM, the biennale is one of the agency’s most effective tools in achieving a renewed vision for its museums and sites – making them more accessible and relevant – while for our country, the biennale provides greater visibility to our heritage to both local and foreign audiences,” he said, while thanking the dedicated Heritage Malta team behind the event.
President Spiteri Debono said that throughout these past weeks, Malta Biennale 2026 transformed the country into an open space for creativity, dialogue and reflection, while once again demonstrating the power of art to connect people and give voice to diverse realities and experiences.
She noted that the biennale went beyond being an exhibition of artistic works, becoming a living platform where contemporary creativity engaged meaningfully with Malta’s cultural heritage and historical spaces.
“This edition continued to strengthen Malta’s international reputation as a centre for contemporary art and cultural exchange”
The president also highlighted how “this edition continued to strengthen Malta’s international reputation as a centre for contemporary art and cultural exchange, while encouraging critical thought, inclusion, and wider participation in culture, particularly among younger generations”.
The president concluded by expressing hope that the biennale will continue to inspire new ideas, foster positive change and strengthen the role of culture at the heart of society.
The Malta Biennale 2026 unfolded across 11 weeks with an international exhibition together with national and thematic pavilions hosted in 11 Heritage Malta historic sites and museums in Valletta, Vittoriosa (Malta), and Xagħra and Victoria (Gozo). With over 130 artists participating from more than 50 countries, the biennale also included a strong public programme of events for audiences of all ages, which comprised satellite events, artist-led activities, performances in public spaces, hands-on workshops, and more.
The Malta Biennale is online at www.maltabiennale.art. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn: @maltabiennale.art.
Titled Clean | Clear | Cut, the international exhibition was curated by acclaimed artistic director Rosa Martínez. The full schedule of exhibitions, participating artists, pavilions and events in the public programme can be viewed on maltabiennale.art. The official guidebook of the Malta Biennale 2026 can be downloaded for free from the website, and the catalogue can be purchased online or at one of the 11 sites in which the Malta Biennale took place.
The Malta Biennale was organised by Heritage Malta in partnership with Arts Council Malta, Visit Malta, the Valletta Cultural Agency, and Public Broadcasting Services. The Malta Biennale was also held in full collaboration with the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning.
