ŻfinMalta National Dance Company is set to present UNFOLD, a compelling double bill arriving this May at Teatru Manoel. At a time when questions surrounding identity, belonging, and human connection feel increasingly urgent, the production offers a powerful and timely exploration of what it means to be human - both individually and collectively.

The evening opens with NATION, a new work by ŻfinMalta’s artistic director Matthew William Robinson. Set within a stark, almost post-apocalyptic landscape; the piece reflects how identity is shaped in moments of uncertainty and change. Robinson draws parallels between personal grief and wider societal shifts, questioning whether, in times of upheaval, people tend to look back nostalgically in search of meaning.

A striking collaboration with Azzopardi Studio adds a rich visual dimension to NATION. The costumes, inspired by Maltese folk traditions, avoid simple nostalgia and instead reinterpret cultural heritage through a contemporary lens. Designer Luke Azzopardi highlights how external perspectives can challenge and deepen understandings of “Maltese-ness,” encouraging a more nuanced appreciation of identity.

While NATION examines collective identity, the second piece, SWAY, turns inward. Created by Italian choreographer Diego Tortelli, the work is an intimate exploration of vulnerability and the human desire for connection. Through fluid, immersive choreography, dancers appear bound by an invisible force, responding not only to one another but also to the shared energy of the space. The result blurs the line between performer and audience, suggesting that connection is something to be felt rather than simply observed.

Together, these two works create a layered and thought-provoking experience, asking profound questions: who are we when familiar structures fall away, and what connects us at our core? Set against the historic backdrop of Teatru Manoel, UNFOLD creates a dialogue between past and present, tradition and innovation.

Running for three nights only from May 22 to 24, UNFOLD promises to be visually striking, emotionally resonant, and intellectually engaging - an invitation to reflect on identity as something fluid, evolving, and deeply human.

Book tickets now via by https://teatrumanoel.mt/event/unfold/.

Will you be attending?