The Malta Biennale was launched in 2024, across 11 weeks, from mid-March until the end of May. The contemporary art platform, which focused on several themes pertinent to and prevalent within the Mediterranean, transformed the Maltese Islands into a melting pot of international artistic activity. The Malta Biennale remains the sole artistic platform to have been granted the distinguished patronage of UNESCO as well as that of the President of the Republic of Malta for its first edition.

The brainchild of Heritage Malta Chairman, Mario Cutajar, the Malta Biennale is a unique platform, in that it stands out among other international art festivals, in concept as well as format. This Biennale lies at the intersection of contemporary art and cultural heritage, marrying the two together through the presentation of all projects and exhibitions within extant venues of historical significance. Museums and sites are transformed for this 11-week period, adding new layers to an already complex and colourful history; thereby presenting an unprecedented challenge, yet also an opportunity for participating artists, practitioners and professionals.

So much so, over 100 artists hailing from 35 nations, came together for the first edition of the Malta Biennale, selected out of some 2,500 applications and proposals. Their work was showcased across 21 historic sites, the majority of which administered by Heritage Malta.

In 2024, the capital city of Valletta was host to some of the primary exhibition sites of the Biennale, with The Three Cities, and Gozo’s Cittadella also presenting major ‘backdrops’ for the artistic platform. The themes explored by 2024 Biennale, related to the Mediterranean and its culture, to womanhood, piracy and its modern-day relevance, and post-colonialism. The Biennale also featured a total of 14 national and thematic pavilions. France, Germany, China, Austria, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, Italy, Spain, and Malta were the first nations to take part in 2024 edition.

The second edition of the Malta Biennale will be held from March 11 to May 29, 2026, with acclaimed international curator, Rosa Martinez, at its helm, as artistic director. The theme chosen for the second edition is: Clean | Clear | Cut.