Call for Writers: The Three Palaces Festival 2026 - Festivals Malta
Celebrating the performing arts through critical writing and cultural journalism.
Photo credit: Elisa von Brockdorff
Festivals Malta is inviting applications from writers interested in participating in a workshop for writers and critics centred on performing arts & music festivals. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the art of cultural writing and criticism through the development of engaging, insightful, and accessible articles intended for publication in leading local newspapers.
The workshop for writers and critics aims to deepen engagement with the festival’s programme while developing participants’ critical and journalistic skills. Through the analysis of performances and their broader cultural contexts, participants will be encouraged to produce informed, insightful, and accessible cultural commentary. In doing so, the initiative supports the development of articulate voices within Malta’s arts sector, fosters meaningful public discussion on the role of the arts in society, and contributes to a wider appreciation of the performing arts.
About the Workshops
This initiative will consist of two workshop sessions led by international journalists specialising in cultural journalism and arts criticism, combining professional guidance with practical experience of covering live performances and cultural events. The workshops will focus on The Three Palaces Festival and another festival from the Summer Festivals 2027 programme, which will be announced at a later stage, providing participants with the opportunity to engage critically with a diverse range of artistic productions and festival contexts.
This session’s leading journalist is Rebecca Franks. She is a classical music and arts journalist, writer, editor and broadcaster whose work has appeared in BBC Music Magazine, The Times, the BBC Proms season guide, International Piano and Shakespeare Magazine, among other publications. A member of the Critics’ Circle, she writes features, interviews, reviews and news stories, covering everything from opera and concerts to books and cultural history.
After graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in music, Franks completed an MPhil in historical musicology, researching Liszt in London and the invention of the piano recital. She spent many years at BBC Music Magazine, progressing from editorial assistant to managing editor, and has interviewed leading musicians, writers and performers. Her interests include Romantic music, French repertoire, piano, chamber and orchestral music, and contemporary composition. She is currently researching the life of nineteenth-century British pianist Arabella Goddard and is available for commissions.
The festival offers participants an opportunity to examine different artistic approaches, engage critically with live performances, and consider how the arts contribute to wider cultural and social conversations. Selected participants will be expected to attend performances and relevant activities during The Three Palaces Festival, critically engage with the programme, and produce written articles reflecting on the performances, artistic approaches, and wider themes explored throughout the festival.
Participants will be required to cover at least three events of the festival programme, demonstrating active engagement with the event and producing considered, well-researched, and accessible written coverage. Their articles will be sent to Rebecca Franks and they will receive feedback on their written work.
In 2027, participants will be required to attend a second festival, to be announced by Festivals Malta later and take part in the accompanying workshop session. They will again be expected to engage with the programme and contribute written coverage, applying and further developing the skills acquired during the first workshop. Attendance and participation in both workshop sessions and the associated festival activities will be mandatory. Full participation in the initiative, including fulfilment of the attendance, festival coverage, and writing commitments, will be required to qualify for remuneration.
Workshop Schedule
The workshop sessions will be held on:
Tuesday, 27th October, 5pm – 7pm at Verdala Palace, Siġġiewi
Wednesday, 28th October, 5pm – 7pm at Mdina Cathedral, Mdina
Performance Schedule
Participants will have two complimentary tickets to all the events in the festival. Participants must choose at least three performances (not including the events at Palazzo Parisio, which are not performances) to write an article about.
Festival website: https://www.festivals.mt/ttp Dates: 27 October - November 1.
About the Festival
The Three Palaces Festival 2026, organised by Festivals Malta, will take place between 27 October and 1 November 2026. Over the years, it has established itself as a distinctive fixture on Malta’s cultural calendar, bringing together local and international artists of exceptional calibre through a programme spanning music, dance, theatre, and interdisciplinary performance. The festival provides a platform for artistic exchange and creative exploration, showcasing both established and emerging talent while encouraging audiences to engage with new perspectives on the performing arts.
Previous editions have featured musicians associated with internationally renowned ensembles such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Britten String Quartet, alongside acclaimed Maltese artists including Carmine Lauri, Karl Fiorini, and Nicola Said. This blend of international excellence and local artistic achievement reflects the festival’s commitment to enriching Malta’s cultural landscape and strengthening its connection with the wider international arts community. Beyond its concert programme, the festival has also incorporated masterclasses and community initiatives, fostering learning, dialogue, and public participation.
The 2026 edition, themed Once Upon A Time…, invites audiences on a journey through stories, memories, imagination, and artistic expression. Through a varied programme of music, dance, and performance, the festival will explore how stories are told, reinterpreted, and brought to life through the arts, while reflecting on the enduring relevance of storytelling and its role in shaping our understanding of contemporary society and cultural identity.
For further information about The Three Palaces Festival and its programme of events, visit the Festivals Malta website.
Publication and Remuneration
Articles developed through the initiative are intended for publication in leading local newspapers and other relevant media outlets, subject to editorial suitability and publication arrangements. The workshop aims to encourage participants to produce thoughtful, engaging, and accessible cultural journalism that brings artistic experiences to a wider audience and contributes to public discussion about the value and relevance of the performing arts.
All articles will be assessed for their quality, clarity, relevance, critical insight, and suitability for publication. The decision on whether an article is fit for publication will rest with the journalist leading the relevant workshop, while final publication will remain at the discretion of Festivals Malta. Participation in the initiative and submission of an article do not guarantee publication.
Participants will be remunerated at a rate of €100 per article published, subject to 100% participation in the workshop programme and fulfilment of the required commitments. Payment will apply only to articles selected for publication; submitted articles that are not published will not qualify for remuneration.
Obligations of successful applicants.
Attend all workshop sessions taking place in October and Summer 2027.
Attend and three performances during The Three Palaces Festival and cover the performances of the 2027 summer festival (percentage of coverage to be confirmed at a later stage).
Produce articles and reviews for publication in leading local newspapers.
Explore the artistic, cultural, and social dimensions of the festivals through informed and engaging writing.
Contribute to increasing public awareness and appreciation of Malta’s cultural and artistic offerings.
Further details regarding the expected number, length, format, and publication arrangements of the articles will be communicated to selected participants.
Who Can Apply?
This call is open to:
Writers based in Malta.
Individuals with a strong command of written English and an interest in arts and culture.
Emerging writers seeking to gain experience in cultural journalism and arts criticism.
Established writers/journalists interested in expanding their coverage of the performing arts.
Applicants who demonstrate strong writing skills, critical thinking, curiosity, and the ability to communicate artistic experiences to a broad readership.
Applicants should demonstrate a genuine interest in engaging with live performance and translating their experiences into thoughtful, accessible, and well-structured articles for publication.
Participation Requirements
Participation in both workshops and the respective festivals is compulsory. Applicants should ensure their availability to attend performances and fulfil the writing commitments associated with both festivals.
Selected participants will be expected to meet agreed editorial deadlines and work in accordance with the publication requirements communicated by Festivals Malta.
Further information regarding the programme, participation arrangements, and any applicable remuneration will be provided as part of the selection process.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are invited to email info.fm@festivals.mt by noon on 23rd October 2026, with a short motivation statement explaining why they wish to participate in the initiative, and citing any previous writing or artistic experience. A limited number of participants will be selected to ensure the quality of the written contributions and the effective coordination of festival coverage. Festivals Malta will review all applications, and successful applicants will be notified immediately.
Data Protection and General Conditions
Festivals Malta will process personal data submitted through this call in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), the Data Protection Act (Cap. 586 of the Laws of Malta), and Festivals Malta's Privacy Policy. Such data will be used solely for the purpose of administering, evaluating and managing applications under this call, including any related funding, monitoring and reporting requirements. By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that their personal data may be processed for these purposes and confirm that any personal data relating to third parties has been obtained and submitted lawfully.
By applying, applicants:
Confirm the accuracy of the information provided;
Accept the conditions of the call;
Authorise Festivals Malta to verify submitted information where necessary.
By applying, applicants also acknowledge that, should the critiques be of the desired level, Festivals Malta will get the articles published on local newspapers and/or other local or international platforms.
The workshops are being organised by Festivals Malta in collaboration with Arts Council Malta.
