Valletta 2018’s major multi-site exhibition, “Dal-Baħar Madwarha”, opens its doors to curious visitors across the Islands starting from the 10th of March. Curated by Maren Richter, large installations, performances and public interventions are taking place in both traditional and unexpected locations across Malta, exploring the idea of “islandness” in playful and critical ways.

Sejjaħ lil Malta (Call Malta) is a site-specific performance by Lebanese artist Tania El Khoury, that take place on two shorelines. It is the sound of the relationship of Malta and Tunisia and the border in between: The Mediterranan Sea.  El Khoury is also part of the group exhibition being held at the St Elmo Examination Centre.

The artist invites the audience to take a journey on a Maltese water taxi boat from Valletta to Senglea, and to listen to sea shells that were picked up from the Tunisian coastal city of Sousse. Sejjaħ lil Malta explores our changing perception of the Mediterranean Sea, a fluctuating space of multiple borders, a leisure destination for some, and a trap to many of those seeking refuge. The water taxis themselves tell a local story of Malta’s internal borders as a result of the privatisation of the seashore.

Narrator and sound designer: Yasmin Kuymizakis
Performers: Chakib Zidi and Mohamed Ali “Dali” Agrebi
Singers: Mouheddine Chalchoule (Huita) and Yasmin Kuymizakis

Performances will be taking place between 4pm to 7pm (6 shows with limited capacity of 5 people each ride)
Duration: 30 minutes
Fee for the boat ride: €4 per person paid directly to boat drivers.

Premiere: 6th of April
Next performances: Saturday 5th May, 4-7pm.

This project is supported by The British Council Malta.