ŻiguŻajg Festival Celebrates 15 Years with Expanded Delegate Programme, New Collaborations and Landmark Performances
The ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children & Young People celebrates its 15th edition from 14–23 November 2025, taking place across the Maltese Islands in Valletta, Birgu (Vittoriosa), and Gozo. Since its inception in 2010, ŻiguŻajg has commissioned over 250 original works and remains Malta’s only annual festival dedicated exclusively to young audiences, continuing to champion artistic excellence, inclusivity, and creativity for children and young people.
Programme Overview – 2025 Edition
This milestone edition presents a vibrant programme of:
● 13 theatrical productions
● 2 films
● 1 visual arts exhibition
Delivered in collaboration with Arts Council Malta. The works span theatre, dance, music, film, digital media and visual arts, and include new commissions by Maltese and international creators, alongside touring productions from established companies.
Gozo Collaboration – Extending the Festival Across Islands
For the 15th anniversary, ŻiguŻajg strengthens its outreach through partnerships with the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, Regional Council of Gozo and the Ministry for Gozo. This collaboration includes not only touring productions but also educational and creative engagement on the sister island. Highlights include:
● A Clowning Workshop for young performers and educators
● A Behind the Curtain workshop exploring creative processes and production
● One of the Festival’s new theatrical productions premiering in Malta before touring to Gozo, allowing audiences on both islands to experience the work firsthand
International Delegate Programme
The 2025 Delegate Programme returns with an expanded structure for artists, producers, programmers and cultural professionals working in theatre and performance for young audiences. Delegates will:
● Experience a curated selection of ŻiguŻajg’s productions, across different venues and formats
● Engage directly with Maltese and international artists and producers
● Participate in dedicated networking sessions and professional discussions
● Attend a specialised workshop, Producing Without Borders: What It Takes to Create Outstanding and Lasting Work in the Arts, led by Pamela Walker, Producer at the Imaginate Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, and Sarah
Gray, Producer at Scottish Theatre Producers.
Panel Discussions
Delegates are also invited to take part in three in-depth panel discussions, each addressing critical topics within the young audiences sector:
1. From Vision to Legacy: A Chat With the Directors Who Shaped the Festival & Documentary Screening A reflective conversation with past and present artistic directors, tracing how ŻiguŻajg evolved from idea to institution Stages of Belonging: Rethinking Representation and Inclusion in Malta’s Theatre Exploring the narratives, identities and communities that are missing or emerging in Maltese stages, and how inclusivity can be expanded
2. Creative Rights: How the Arts Can Champion Children’s Voices Focusing on children’s agency, rights, and participation in artistic creation. How young people’s voices can influence content, decision-making and cultural policy
Bookings & Participation
While the official application period for the Delegate Programme has now closed, delegates may still register to participate. Accommodation is no longer provided by the Festival, however delegates will have full access to performances, panels, workshops, networking events and festival activities.
Festival Details
Dates: 14–23 November 2025 Locations: Valletta, Birgu (Vittoriosa) & Gozo, Malta
Programme Includes: 13 theatre productions • 2 films • 1 exhibition
Key Partners: Arts Council Malta • Regional Council of Gozo • Ministry for Gozo • Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government Delegate Enquiries & Bookings: hospitality@ziguzajg.org
General Enquiries: info@ziguzajg.org
Website: https://ziguzajg.org
