The Lowdown

Yo Poznań — June’s about to get loud, wild, and hella creative. From June 20 to 28, the 35th Malta Festival is taking over the city, flooding the streets with theatre, dance, music, film, and pure artistic energy. Forget boring galleries or closed stages — this festival spills into plazas, parks, and city corners, turning the whole city into a live art zone. This year’s vibe? A mashup of old school and new waves, deep reflection mixed with full-on fun. Expect global names, big premieres, and performances that’ll have you questioning reality — or at least vibin’ in a whole new way.

35 Years

Malta’s not just a fest — it’s a cultural street revolution. For 35 years it’s been breaking the rules and mixing it all up: art, politics, identity, gender, history, community. From street shows to deep talks, it’s where protest meets performance. And 2025 ain’t pulling punches. With Dominika Kulczyk as patron, the fest’s feminine energy is flowing heavy — open, loud, inclusive, and pushing all the boundaries.

Tilda Swinton

Yeah, that Tilda. Tilda Swinton is coming through with “Embodying Pasolini”, a one-of-a-kind tribute to the wild Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini. She literally steps into his world by rocking rare costumes live on stage. This show only hits one city in the world a year. In 2025? That city is us.

Polish cinema legend Agnieszka Holland is being honored with two massive events. First up is a powerful new opera inspired by her film Europa Europa, followed by a stage version of her gritty classic Kobieta Samotna. The weekend wraps with a live panel talk — you, her, and the minds behind the magic.

Something Different

Want something different? Check this: Spanish Ultraficción lights up Malta’s glade with a trippy sensory experiment at sunset. Italian “Rite of Spring” goes full madness with raw dance energy. And the French crew behind RoZéo? They’ll be flying high above Old Town, defying gravity with circus-level aerial acrobatics inspired by wind and water.

Music LineUp

The music lineup? Stacked. Róisín Murphy brings her fire glam-electropop. The Teskey Brothers drop soul-blues heat for the first time in Poland. Fink, L’Impératrice, and jazzy-hip-hop wizards Badbadnotgood take turns melting stages. And Alaska Thunderfuck lands her wild one-woman drag show straight from RuPaul’s world, under the flag of Poznań Pride. That’s the only European stop. You’re not gonna wanna blink.

Brass Bands

Streets? Not safe from beats. Three insane brass bands from Spain, France, and Italy will be rolling through, playing from bikes, rooftops, and balconies. It’s loud, it’s funky, and it’s free.

Whether you’re a theatre nerd, music head, street dancer, or just out for a good time, Malta Festival’s for you. It’s inclusive, loud, open, and built for the people. Want in? You can even volunteer and be part of the crew that brings the madness to life.

Hit up malta-festival.pl or the FB page for full drops, dates, and sign-ups. Poznań’s about to become a living, breathing work of art. You coming or what?