ĦOLQA: European Theatre Festival for Students

Ħolqa is a European Theatre Festival for Students produced by Ġ.F. Abela Junior College and Troupe 18:45 involving post-secondary students. The festival is in its fourth edition and will see young Maltese theatre students and adolescents working alongside their counterparts from other European countries through various theatre styles and activities.

The seven participating institutions this year are gathering from five different European countries: France, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands and Spain.

Ħolqa will take place between 8-10 March. Activities included during the five-day festival are: • Seven performances at Ġ.F. Abela Junior College auditorium by the participating groups based on the common theme of INCLUSION. • Theatre workshops for the participants in various spheres such as acting, voice, movement.

Ħolqa is having a performance for the general public on Friday 10 March at 8pm in the ĠF Abela Junior College Auditorium.

The audience can follow the entire Junior College group performance together with short snippets from the other participants during the 75 minute-long show. The public is encouraged to reserve seat by calling 2590 7244 as places are limited. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Three local judges involved in the literary and dramatic arts will judge and provide feedback on all performances on the last day of the festival. The judges are Clare Azzopardi (author), Charles Sammut (actor) and Tony Bezzina (producer/director).

Ħolqa’s main objective is to bring together a number of European and Maltese educational institutions in a drama festival produced by young people for young people.

The festival is currently in it’s fourth edition and sees the collaboration between ĠF Abela Junior College and theatre NGO Troupe 18:45.

The main goal is therefore to promote a spirit of collaboration and artistic development ingrained deeply in a theatrical context; emulating the individual links that, when united, form a stronger chain!

This year’s theme is INCLUSION. Each participating school is completely free to interpret the theme as they deem necessary using their preferred theatrical style or styles. The only restriction is that each performance should not be more than 40 minutes long.