Splashes of colour pierced the blue skies over Valletta’s Triton Fountain this morning as some 200 kids visited the square to fly their kite as part of the second annual Kite Festival. How cool is that?

Organised by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (MFWS), in collaboration with the China Cultural Centre in Malta and MUŻA (the Malta National Community Art Museum), the festival forms part of the foundation's goal towards inclusion, peace building and the celebration of diversity.

The festival was opened by President Emeritus and MFWS chair Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, and saw the return of master kite builder Guo Hongli, who is in Malta to teach schoolchildren how to build kites.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said, “this second edition of the Kite Festival is aptly taking place during the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, where Article 31 highlights the right of children to play and to participate fully in cultural and artistic life.”

Mr Guo is an expert in the research and production of kite handicrafts from China’s Shandong Province prefecture-level city of Weifang, which enjoys an unparalleled reputation as “the cradle of kites” and “kite capital of the world”.  Mr Guo’s demonstrations and workshops have enriched understanding of traditional Chinese kite culture and enhanced bilateral artistic exchanges in many corners of the world.

During his stay in Malta, Mr Guo and his team will visit five schools and give a Kite-Making DIY Workship. To reserve a spot at this free workshop contact the China Cultural Centre on 2122 5055 or [email protected].