The Malta Independent on Sunday
ŻiguŻajg: Ten years later
It’s ŻiguŻajg Festival’s 10th year anniversary and with ten years comes a handful of Festival Directors. The Malta Independent on Sunday sits down with Festival Director MARTA VELLA and former Festival Directors SARAH SPITERI, TONI ATTARD and DANIEL AZZOPARDI to find out just what ŻiguŻajg means to them on the occasion of the festival’s tenth edition
Which year did you direct your first festival, and describe it in a few words....
Sarah: I was entrusted with the artistic direction of the very first ŻiguŻajg festival way back ten years ago.
Toni: My first festival was in 2011. It was the 2nd edition and still in its infancy. This meant focusing on putting a structure in place to secure a robust festival structure, increase funding, develop creative curiosity to ensure that more artists create work for young audiences, position the festival internationally to attract some of the best International acts as part of the line-up and creating as much as visibility as possible to ensure that ŻiguŻajg delivers the excellence children truly deserve - essentially setting the ball rolling for a ZZgeneration!
Daniel: During my time as Festival Director from 20162019, together with my team we worked to commission new projects by Maltese creatives and showcasing some of the best international shows. Artistic excellence was always a cornerstone of the Festival and in my role I was in continuous conversation with the collaborating creatives to enhance their skills and professional output. In my time, we also worked hard on the accessiblity aspect, by not only involving marginilised groups to participate in scheduled projects but also taking the Festival repertoire to schools and communities in Malta and Gozo. Apart offering school tickets with charge, we regularly gaveaway a percentage of Festival tickets to marginlised groups to ensure arts could be appreciated by anyone. Another strong aspect from my time working with the Festival was the international strand, with the catered delegate programmes made of a series workshops and discussions especially for professionals in the field. Such initiatives, together with the continued quality of the programme conributed to further enhanced the Festival network and growing reputation in the international circuit.
It was a very big challenge to put together an international festival in just under 6 months from nothing, but also extremely exciting. In the little time there was, to plan, engage foreign artists, commission new works from local artists, the first festival had an incredible line up of performances for children from zero to teens in venues all over Valletta. Malta had never seen so many performances designed specifically for children.
The success of the first festival secured a line vote for the subsequent festivals ...... and ten years down the line it’s still going strong. I am one very proud person to have given birth to this festival
Marta: What a year huh? Talk about a baptism of fire! The first run at anything brings many challenges and that’s without having to deal with a global pandemic. This year was terrifying and exhilirating at the same time. I am so grateful for the efforts that everyone’s put together despite these surreal circumstances and I couldn’t be prouder of the final result.
What does ŻiguŻajg represent and mean to you? Sarah: ŻiguŻajg represents the fulfillment of years of lobbying, expounding the importance and extreme benefits for children when exposed to performances by professional artists.
Toni: ŻiguŻajg is what I define as life fulfilling happiness wishing that every day brings so much excitement, joy, diversity and fun. Irrespective of how stressful or hectic the festival team may have been there is nothing more beautiful than witnessing the creativity of so many talented artists sharing their stories with thousands of children and in return the honesty and excitement of young audiences experiencing the arts in such a unique environment. ŻiguŻajg is not a gift to young audiences - it is their right to have and I will make sure that nobody will take that away
Daniel: The Festival is I think a great example of how to bring the creative community together to develop their practises and showcase their work to the public. Its format has helped many artists to persue a career in the field, and many others who started to appreciate the importance of the arts for their welbeing through their experience of attending ŻiguŻajg. The Festival remains a reference point for many and safe place where those seeking to be in touch with arts and creativity can do so in a comfortable and safe environment.
Marta: I have been fortunate enough to have experienced Żigużajg from an artist’s perspective first. I have performed, written and directed for the festival. The way the city came to life, buzzing with children, young people and international performers; that’s a feeling I can never forget. ŻiguŻajg exposed me to so much beautiful art and was integral to my artistic growth. I am beyond honoured to have come full circle with becoming Festival Director.
Where do hope to see the festival in another decade? Sarah:
I would like to see more local artists investing in
quality work for children. I would also love to see more commitment towards creating performances that would embrace all audience members with diverse needs. It is high time that what is termed as ‘relaxed performances’ is given more than just lip service. All children have a right to access performances and there are barriers which are currently not being addressed.
Toni: Remain honest, young and ambitious but be more radical and transformative, because the value of the arts in a decade will still be challenged and its power still underestimated. Long live ZZ!
Daniel: I certainly look forward to the Festival contuining to be a reference point to many and an instigator of innovative ventures. I also hope that through the work done the appreciation for the arts in Malta continues growing and truly becomes a foundation of our identity. I believe wholeheartedyly that the arts should become an integral part of our education system and ŻiguŻajg can continue being the best example of this through the stories of people from different walks of life who every year benefit from the ŻiguŻajg experience.
Marta: I want to keep building on the legacy of the festival and keep working on making the festival more accessible. We need to keep expanding our audiences and reaching more communities. I cannot wait to see what the next 10 years will bring!
Don’t miss out on all the fun! ŻiguŻajg festival will run from the 20th to the 29th of November with tickets at just €7 per family. For the full programme of events and for more information on the festival please visit www.ZiguZajg.org or call 21223200 today.