Ritmu Roots Festival - Il-Qagħda tal-Mument - A Homage

The voice is shapeless and timeless, ever evolving, reflecting, refracting. It is one of the key features of human identity, originating from and within our bodies, and yet seemingly ethereal. In the practice of singing and spoken word, the voice emerges as a conduit for culture, tradition, and communal gathering. In għana, it is linear and melismatic, often weaving improvised stories and melodies together.

This project explores the life and legacy of Frans Baldacchino ‘Il-Budaj’ as deeply entangled with għana and poetry. Through an immersive sound installation, audiences are guided by the intangible threads of his many voices, engaging and connecting with the essence of għana and unraveling the multifaceted layers of ‘Il-Budaj’. In the end, perhaps, it is not just the words we speak or the songs we sing that define us, but the resonance and silence they leave behind.

Photo Credit: This image is from the Frans Baldacchino 'il-Budaj' Collection, courtesy of Magna Żmien

Curator: Sarah Chircop

Accessibility: This venue is not accessible to persons using a wheelchair.