Gozo’s historic Citadel will once again come alive this autumn as the Aurora International Folk Festival returns from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th October. The event celebrates the cultural roots of Malta and other international communities, with a programme packed with traditional dance, music, and folkloristic performances that bring the past into the present.

First held in the 1980s and revived in 2018 after a long pause, the festival has grown into a much-loved celebration of cultural heritage. This year’s performances will take place in Cathedral Square on 17th and 18th October, before moving to the picturesque Villa Rundle Gardens on Sunday 20th.

Audiences can look forward to folk groups from across Europe, including the Vachai folk group from Greece, the Polyphonic Singing Ensemble of the Epirotes’ Association of Zografou “Epirus”, the “Makedonka” club from Bulgaria, the Sant'Andrea Tortolì folk group from Sardinia, I Picciotti Da Purtedda cultural association from Agrigento in Sicily, and the Regional Ensemble “Regle” from Poland.

Beyond the music and dance, artisanal stalls will also be set up throughout the weekend, offering visitors the chance to experience traditional crafts, tastes, and souvenirs in between performances. 

Will you be there?