With 30 concerts hosted over a span of 15 days in 16 different locations, the 8th edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival is set to kick off the new decade with a massive celebration of European musical culture. Continuing from the last edition, it will also present audiences with the perfect excuse to explore baroque settings outside the capital city, but that is not the only cool thing that organisers have got going for their very international crowd.

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To cater for such a varied audience, the Valletta Baroque Festival are launching an exclusive and limited set of merchandise. “We wanted to connect the festival’s musical talent with local creative talent,” festival organisers said. To do so, they collaborated with Maltese artists Glen Calleja, Ritienne Zammit and Glen Ellul as well as with Teatru Manoel’s costume department to produce a merch line inspired by the Baroque period with a Maltese touch. Intrigued by this combo? Here’s what they have in store for us:

The Handmade Horizontal Notepad by Glen Calleja for Kotba Calleja

Produced with the use of basic hand tools and equipment, this handmade notepad is inspired by the way musical scores and notepads were printed during the baroque period, i.e. in landscape mode. Glen has designed a series of baroque-inspired, unique, handmade notepads – with each pad numbered and carrying a certificate of authenticity.

The Handmade Pouch/Purse by Ritienne Zammit

Maltese fashion designer Ritienne Zammit is notorious for her unconventional designs inspired by history, and her collaboration with Valletta Baroque Festival proves no exception to her formula. Producing a series of embroidered pouches and purses, each item will also be numbered and carrying a certificate of authenticity.

The Handmade Pocket Square by Ritienne Zammit

Another series by Ritienne, it is inspired by Kind Richard II’s love of loudly patterned pocket squares and the silk and embroidered handkerchiefs that featured regularly in Louis XVI’s court. Pocket squares are an incredibly versatile and constantly evolving fashion accessory and Ritienne’s take promises to be a delightful spin.

Baroque inspired prints by Glen Ellul

Maltese artist and designer Glen Ellul is known for his specialisation in pen drawings. For his collaboration with the Valletta Baroque Festival, Glen will be flexing his finger muscles with his presentation of a collectible series of postcards. Similarly as all above, every set is unique, numbered and carries a certificate of authenticity.

VBF20 limited edition Blankets by Teatru Manoel's costume department

Specifically created to cater for January's cold spells, these blankets are aimed to be used during the concerts. 

This exclusive line of merchandise will be on sale from 10th January 2020 and can be purchased directly from Teatru Manoel or during the Valletta Baroque Festival concerts. Well done to the local artists and artisans that created them!