With less than seven months to go before they open to the public; the islands are abuzz with activity in preparation for their first international contemporary art biennale.

The event promises to be the region's cultural highlight of 2024.

Coinciding with the turn of spring, the Malta Biennale Art proposes a vibrant exploration of the contemporary Mediterranean and Maltese identity, going beyond the utopic postcard vision, and instead inviting visitors to dive deeper, and dwell on current regional issues and the possibilities for the future.

The stunning historic sites which will open their doors to the biennale promise a spectacle in themselves. From the main exhibition space, Valletta's freshly-restored Grand Master’s Palace, to some of the world's most unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the megalithic temples of Ġgantija and Birgu's Armoury, the biennale will present a unique fusion of contemporary art and centuries-old history. This will surely leave visitors with an indelible memory of Malta and its biennale.

For the very first time in their extensive history, these locations are now being carefully and lovingly transformed in some of the most unique exhibition spaces in preparation for this exciting event.

Malta Biennale Art's current open call for artists and national pavilions has already attracted the attention of artists from 65 nations spread out across six continents.

With applications and proposals steadily coming in, artists and creatives are already flocking to Malta to meet the curatorial team behind the biennale, as well as explore the sites which will be hosting them in the coming year.

The curatorial team, led by Artistic Director and Head Curator Sofia Baldi Pighi, is also busy welcoming international artists who are carrying out research for their biennale proposals.

Through this seminal research, prospective participants are now familiarising themselves with the islands, the biennale's locations, as well as the theme. Once the call for artists closes, applications will go through a rigorous selection process, which will shape the biennale's public offering next spring.

Facebook/Malta biennale