A CALL FOR BUSKERS: THE SILK ROAD

THE THREE PALACES FESTIVAL 2024

Linked to the 700th anniversary of the legendary traveler, writer, explorer, merchant…  Marco Polo, The Three Palaces Festival is issuing a call for buskers for Saturday, November 2nd during this year’s edition of this year’s festival (Wednesday, October 30th – Sunday, November 3rd).  There is no restriction on the art form, although we are encouraging performers or artists, or artisans to use the festival’s theme as inspiration. 

Themed on this renowned Venetian who linked East to West, there is the concept of the Silk Road at play.  We are therefore inviting artists living in Malta - a cultural melting-pot where East meets West, and Africa meets Europe, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, cultural diversity, change – to join us in this celebration of interconnectedness. 

However, one cannot think of Venice and not visualise lushness, gold, silks, colour, illumination, and more; and so, we are also encouraging artists to allow themselves to be inspired by the riches, magnificence and opulence of our splendour and palaces in Malta.

The festival is calling for mime, music, dance, visual art, pageantry (including carnival), artisan stalls (including mask-making, calligraphy, Maltese crafts etc.), acrobats, people in costume and much more, to create a sense of celebration and creativity in our capital city, Valletta.  All taking part will be acknowledged in the Three Palaces Festival brochure.

Expressions of interest should reach the festival office by sending an email to leo.chircop@festivals.mt by October 4, 2024 together with a short description, its duration (if applicable), and a budget.  All proposed activity needs to be self-sufficient in terms of tech rider.

The chosen artists will be notified as soon as possible after the call closes. Details of location will be determined once the artists have been chosen.

Dr Michelle Castelletti

Artistic Director, The Three Palaces Festival

Image: Marco Polo sets sail to Venice, 1271. Bodleian Library MS. Bodl. 264, pt. III, fol. 218r