Malta Biennale 2026 Concludes After 11 Weeks of Contemporary Art Across the Islands
VALLETTA, Malta — May 30, 2026 — Malta Biennale 2026 officially came to a close yesterday evening with a ceremony held at Fort St Elmo in Valletta, marking the end of an 11-week celebration of contemporary art, cultural exchange, and creative dialogue across Malta and Gozo.
Under the artistic direction of Sean Buhagiar, the closing ceremony featured a live orchestral performance with a five-piece repertoire composed by Cher Camilleri and Michael Azzopardi. The evening also included speeches by Heritage Malta CEO Noel Zammit, Malta Biennale President and Heritage Malta Chairman Mario Cutajar, and H.E. the President of Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono.
During the ceremony, the final Maltese Falcon Award recipient was announced, with the People’s Choice Award presented to artist Halil Altindere for his works Star Wars: Knights of Malta vs Ottoman Drones (2026) and Star Wars: Royal Hunt (2023), exhibited at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta.
Speaking during the event, Heritage Malta CEO Noel Zammit reflected on how the Biennale transformed Malta’s historic sites into spaces for contemporary artistic dialogue.
“Throughout this edition of the Malta Biennale, visitors discovered Malta’s historical heritage through a new lens — that of contemporary art,” Zammit said. “We are closing this second edition with a sense of pride, but also anticipation. The Biennale has planted a seed that will continue to inspire, provoke thought, and strengthen Malta’s cultural sector long into the future.”
Malta Biennale President Mario Cutajar described the second edition as a defining milestone for the event’s future development.
“The second edition of the Malta Biennale is, in my view, the cornerstone of future editions,” Cutajar said. “Its growing success highlights the Biennale’s importance both for Heritage Malta and for the country as a whole.”
He also noted the Biennale’s increasing role in positioning Malta as an international cultural destination, while helping Heritage Malta reimagine museums and heritage sites as more accessible and contemporary spaces for public engagement.
Addressing guests at the ceremony, President Myriam Spiteri Debono praised the Biennale for transforming Malta into “an open space for creativity, dialogue, and reflection,” while reinforcing the power of art to connect people across cultures and experiences.
The President highlighted how the Biennale strengthened Malta’s international reputation as a centre for contemporary art and cultural exchange, while encouraging participation in culture among younger generations.
Malta Biennale 2026 unfolded across 11 weeks with exhibitions, national and thematic pavilions hosted across 11 Heritage Malta sites and museums in Valletta, Vittoriosa, Xagħra, and Victoria. More than 130 artists from over 50 countries participated in the programme.
Alongside the exhibitions, the Biennale featured an extensive public programme including artist-led activities, satellite events, workshops, live performances, and community-focused initiatives for audiences of all ages.
Titled Clean | Clear | Cut, the international exhibition was curated by acclaimed artistic director Rosa Martínez and explored the relationship between contemporary artistic practice and cultural heritage through immersive and site-responsive works.
The Malta Biennale 2026 was organised by Heritage Malta in partnership with Arts Council Malta, Visit Malta, the Valletta Cultural Agency, and Public Broadcasting Services, in collaboration with the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning.
More information, including the official guidebook, participating artists, and exhibition programme, is available at maltabiennale.art.
