Programme Day 3B - 25 July

Start Time: 7:25pm

Performances: STILL, WE CONTINUE (Dorian Mallia) - T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A - THE END (Pablo Girolami) - DIVA (Giovanni Insaudo) - BIRDY (Lai Hung-Chung) - NÁCAR (ŻfinMalta) - CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ARTIST (Dr Paula Guzzanti)

Dorian Mallia (Malta)

DANCE ON - STILL, WE CONTINUE

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 12mins

Synopsis:

Led by established Maltese dance artist and choreographer Dorian Mallia, this initiative is dedicated to honouring artistic richness, diversity, and lived experience of mature dancers, culminating in a live theatre performance during Dance Festival Malta 2026. 

Dorian Mallia - Choreographer

Dorian Mallia is a highly regarded dance practitioner, choreographer, educator, and performer, and the founder and Artistic Director of Moveo Dance Company. He trained at JCDC (Malta), Central School of Ballet in London, earning a degree in Professional Dance and Performance, and later completed a Master’s in Performing Studies (Dance) at the University of Malta. Dorian has performed internationally with companies including European Ballet (UK), RBR Dance Company (Italy), LaMov (Spain), Paganini Dance Company (Rome), and Mavinkhoodance (Singapore). Since establishing Moveo in 2008, he has led the company to national and international acclaim, with awards such as the Premju Għall-Arti “Artist of the Year” (2018) and the Best Creative Enterprise Award. He has local and international choreographic work that toured and still touring internationally. Alongside his creative work, he lectures at the University of Malta and MCAST and contributes to academic research, with writings featured in publications such as Breaking the Silence – Homosexuality in Maltese History. His career spans performance, choreography, and scholarship, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary dance.

Credits:

Choreography: Dorian Mallia | Dancers: Alan Coronado, Alison White, Andrea Cassar, Andromachi Dimitriadou Lindahl, Bruce Currie, Christine Zammit, Daron Galea Busuttil, Denise Caruana, Doreen Camilleri Fenech, Emiliana Bonello, Erika Gialanze, Estelle Sant, Jeanette Siddall, Jes Sciberras, Jill Evans, Judith Curry, Liana Vella Zarb, Mayra Stergou, Melanie Xerri DeCaro, Mona Fazaa, Roberta Gianotti, Sarah McDonald, Shona Morris, Tamara Naudi, Yasmine Nuvoli

Supported by: 

Teatru Manoel and The University of Malta School of Performing Arts - Department of Dance Studies

Pablo Girolami (Italy)

T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A - THE END

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 20mins

Disclaimer: 

This performance contains imagery that may trigger discomfort for some viewers, particularly individuals with trypophobia (a sensitivity or aversion to clustered patterns of holes or bumps). Viewer discretion is advised.

Synopsis:

The means by which a trypophobic skeleton is formed is geometry, which, however, only thanks to the imaginative contribution of the human mind, becomes an active gateway for fear; reflecting man's insecurities and paranoia. Bottomless, where all awareness falls steeply. Facing a fear is not an easy game. The risks are indeed real, but the outcome far worth it. It seems that playing the game rather implies accepting not to play at all. With T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A. we choose to accept the challenge, transforming ourselves into the parasites that creep into its galleries.

About the Company:

IVONA was founded in 2019 by Italo-Spanish choreographer Pablo Girolami. Born from a desire to express his vision and explore his creativity, the company takes its name from Girolami’s alter ego. IVONA’s first creation “Manbuhsa” initiated from the collaboration with the dancer Giacomo Todeschi. The duet was performed in various festivals in Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Turkey and Portugal. “Manbuhsa” won the Italian prize TWAIN Direzioni_Altre 2019, as well as the audience award in the festival CortoinDanza 2019 in Cagliari, and at the 33. Certamen Coreográfico de Madrid. In 2020, Pablo Girolami choreographed for IVONA “Manbuhsona”, full evening show for five performers, co- produced by CID - Rovereto, Festival Oriente Occidente and the Production Center TWAIN, and in 2021 he creates “T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A.” with which IVONA wins the prize for best choreography at the Certamen Coreográfico Distrito de Tetuán - Madrid and at the Choreographic competition Linkage - Sofia in addition to the audience award at the RIDCC - Rotterdam. With “Mose3” IVONA wins best dance film at the ZED International Videodanza Festival. Since 2022 IVONA is recognised and financially supported by MIC.

Pablo Girolami - Choreographer & Performer

Pablo Girolami trained at the Tanz Akademie Zürich, where he graduated in 2014. He danced with Hessisches Staatsballett and Spellbound Contemporary Ballet, performing works by renowned choreographers such as Wayne McGregor, Hofesh Shechter, and Marcos Morau. Currently, Pablo Girolami is a freelance choreographer and artistic director of IVONA, company the he founded in 2019 With IVONA, he has received several prestigious awards, including: First Prize at the Jerusalem International Choreography Competition; Best Choreography at the Certamen Coreográfico del Distrito de Tetuán; Best Choreography at the Linkage Choreographic Competition in Sofia; TWAIN Direzioni_Altre Award in 2019 and 2022 – Tuscania; Audience Award at RIDCC – Rotterdam; and the Audience Award at CortoinDanza Festival – Cagliari. Beyond his work with IVONA, Pablo has created choreographies for various companies and institutions, including the Graz Opera Ballet, Jerusalem Dance Theatre, Balletto di Roma, Club Guy & Roni, EgriBianco Danza, and Balletto di Toscana.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Company: Ivona | Choreography: Pablo Girolami | Dancers: Guilherme Leal & Pablo Girolami | Music: Jacob Kirkegaard, Philip Jeck, Max Richter | Production: House of Ivona | Lighting Design: Angelo Tauro | International Communication: Katherina Vasiliadis | Supported by KOMM TANZ Teatro Cartiera, Compagnia Abbondanza/Bertoni in collaboration with Comune di Rovereto, Festival Fuori programma & Romaeuropa Festival, ResiDanceXL - AnticorpiXL - Network Giovane Danza d'autore coordinated by L'arboreto - Teatro Dimora di Mondaino, Centro di Residenza della Toscana (Armunia - CapoTrave/Kilowatt), TWAIN Centro di Produzione Danza and PERIFERIE ARTISTICHE DANCEHAUSpiù, Milano, Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia, MIC (Ministero Italiano della Cultura), With the support of: Greek Ministry of Culture, The J.F. Costopoulos Foundation, Melina Merkouri Open Air Theatre, Big Story Productions.

Supported by:

European Festival Fund for Emerging Artists (EFFEA), European Festivals Association (EFA), Istituto Italiano Di Cultura La Valletta and Teatru Manoel

Giovanni Insaudo (Italy)

DIVA

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 20mins

Synopsis:

”Diva" is the latest work by Giovanni Insaudo, exploring the timeless figure of the Diva and her idealisation in popular culture. The piece is primarily inspired by the ultimate diva, Marilyn Monroe, offering a glimpse into the private and often solitary lives of these icons of 1950s fame. The performance seeks to unveil the introverted reality behind the glamour, media attention, and public idealisation, highlighting the contrast between what the audience sees and what these divas truly experience. It sheds light on the often negative influence of powerful male figures in their lives. In the 1950s, divas were frequently subject to the control and influence of powerful men who could shape their careers and personal destinies. These men—producers, directors, managers, husbands, or lovers—played a significant role in deciding the divas' paths. Often, divas were forced to conform to male expectations, limiting their autonomy and stifling their creative potential.

Giovanni Insaudo - Choreographer & Performer

Giovanni Insaudo is an internationally recognised choreographer and founder of the collective I VESPRI. His choreographic language merges physicality, emotion, and narrative. In 2024, he was awarded Best Emerging Choreographer of the Year by Danza&Danza and received the City of Foligno Award for choreographic merit. In 2025, he was named New Comer of the Year by Tanz Magazine. His works have been presented at festivals and theatres across Europe, Asia, and North America — in Italy, Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands, Israel, and Switzerland. Giovanni has collaborated with leading companies and institutions such as Semperoper Dresden, Opera di Graz, Landestheater Linz, Theater Lüneburg, Gärtnerplatz Theater, Konzert und Theater St.Gallen, CNN/AterBalletto, Theater Trier, Theater Nordhausen, Hung Dance, Tanz Luzerner Theater, Palucca Hochschule Dresden, Compagnia Opus Ballet, Opera di Ankara, Tanz Labor/Roxy Theater Ulm, Eko Dance Project Torino, Contemporary Bachelor ZHDK Zurich, Oriol Martorell Conservatorio Barcelona, D.A.F. Roma, Nuovo Balletto di Toscana, and Balletto dell’Esperia. He has received several international awards, including the 2nd Prize at the Burgos-New York Choreographic Competition and the MasDanza Audience Prize.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreography, Concept and Direction: Giovanni Insaudo | Choreography Assistant: Sandra Salietti Aguilera | Dancers: Sandra Salietti Aguilera, Gianmarco Marini Zani | Light Designer and Costumes: Giovanni Insaudo | Music: 'Nembutal', 'Fire in the Hills' & 'Shard' by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis and 'I Wanna be loved by you' by Anne Nikitin | Management: Giulia Menti | Production: I Vespri | Co-production: DANCEHAUS più, Festival Danza in Rete Vicenza/Schio

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel

Lai Hung-Chung (Taiwan)

BIRDY

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 15mins

Synopsis:

BIRDY explores the interplay of freedom and limitation within Taiwan’s communities. Choreographer LAI Hung-chung delves into the subtle influence of emotion and history on social harmony through a blend of societal dynamics and personal narratives. Using the metaphor of a cage and a dreamer, he bridges individual struggle with broader social contexts. The deconstruction of traditional Peking opera props—such as the spear transformed into a cage-like rattan pole—symbolises life’s constraints. The use of “Ling Zi” (pheasant feathers), traditionally linked to warrior strength, is reinterpreted to empower individuals to redefine their consciousness. Set to an eclectic mix of electronic and Chinese classical music, and blending Tai Chi with contemporary dance, BIRDY traces a journey from tradition to modernity, inviting reflection on freedom, balance, identity, and self-awareness.

About the Company:

HUNG DANCE is a Taiwanese contemporary dance company founded in 2017 by Artistic Director and choreographer LAI Hung-chung. Inspired by the word "Hung (翃)," the company's name reflects its aspiration to soar. Focusing on annual productions, international collaboration, and tours, HUNG DANCE also organises the Stray Birds Dance Platform to foster choreographers' creativity and connect emerging artists with global resources. The company has received numerous awards for its exceptional choreographic pieces, including Watcher, BIRDY, and Push and Pull in renowned competitions and festivals worldwide. It has also embarked on an extensive international tour, captivating audiences across Europe, Asia, Australia, America, and Africa with over two hundred mesmerising performances. HUNG DANCE's performances are a unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements, inviting audiences to interpret, imagine, and embrace dance's timeless beauty. LAI Hung-chung's choreography delves into human emotions and the connection between culture and nature. By seamlessly blending elements of Chinese opera, mythology, and Tai Chi with contemporary concepts, he has created a unique dance vocabulary and training system that is sure to intrigue and captivate.

Lai Hung-Chung - Choreographer

LAI Hung-chung graduated from Taipei National University of the Arts' Department of Dance. In 2016, he participated in the Ministry of Culture's Taiwan Creative Dance Competition, clinching a gold medal, 2 outstanding awards, and one excellent award with 4 dance creations to become the first ever choreographer to receive 4 awards at the same time in the competition's history. In 2025, his work Push and Pull received the First Prize and Audience Prize at the Hannover International Choreography Competition, as well as four partner awards at RIDCC: Nederlands Dans Theater, FORM Dance Projects, Codarts Rotterdam, and TanzLabor ROXY Ulm. After founding HUNG DANCE, he placed emphasis on cultivating the dancers' abilities and developing inspirations for dance pieces. He devised innovative ways to train the company based on the creative concept and needs, as well as searched for a balance between contemporary thinking and dance. In addition, he has devoted himself to a wide range of international collaborations and new talent development programs in the hope of expanding the diverse dance scene.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreographer & Costume Designer: LAI Hung-Chung | Rehearsal Director: CHENG I-han | Dancers: HSU Li-en & LAI I-fei | Composer: KUO Yu | Lighting Designer: TSAI Chao-yu | Music: 'SLEEP: Tranquility Base (Single Edit)' by Max Richter & 'Awe' by Roger Goula

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel

ŻfinMalta (Malta)

NÁCAR

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 20mins

Synopsis:

NÁCAR explores a desire to inhabit ghosts; those that survive in images, that persist in our bodies, and call out from the invisible. In this powerful new creation by Paloma Muñoz, one of Spain’s most innovative choreographic voices, suspended figures appear frozen, breathing and decomposing under the gaze of others. As their flesh is exposed their bodies call out, striking one another as a call to resist and remember. NÁCAR invites us to lend our bodies to the memory of others — to become vessels of presence, beauty, and shared echoes.

“Bodies as vessels of resonance. Offered, overlapping and available, allowing the dead to look, speak, and move through them, so that what is no longer here may insist and take form again as gesture and presence. Invocation and luminous possession: a ritual where memory infiltrates with a crooked smile, unfolding between the sacred, the ornamental, and what still breathes. A delight held like a spell." - Paloma Muñoz

About the Company:

Under the artistic direction of Matthew William Robinson, ŻfinMalta is a home for groundbreaking artistic collaborations that centre movement as a transformative force in our world, engaging a breadth of artistic voices from near and far to create visually striking, physically distinctive dance work, that captivates the imagination of audiences nationally and internationally. Embedded within the artistic ecology of the nation, ŻfinMalta strives to highlight Malta as a vibrant cultural centre within the European landscape of artistic practice. The company forms part of the National Agency for the Performing Arts and is made up of ten full-time dancers, and two apprentice dancers, hailing from Malta and across Europe. Behind the scenes is a highly skilled and passionate team of dance and arts professionals who bring to the company their expansive knowledge of the local and international contemporary art world. Combined, they make up a national, repertory dance company, fast gaining recognition on the European touring circuit.

Paloma Muñoz - Choreographer

Paloma Muñoz is a Spanish choreographer and performer based in Barcelona. She leads the project SIBERIA / Paloma Muñoz, creating work that explores memory, the body, and the relationship between form and emotion. Her piece La Quijá (2024), a dance through the fractures of memory, won the Premi de la Crítica for Best Dance Performance and received nominations for the Premios Max. She has created works for companies such as Ballet Bern (I Burn, I Shiver, 2024), Tanz Bielefeld (Softcore, 2025), and Tanz Münster (The Station, 2025). She is currently a resident artist at Mercat de les Flors for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. Alongside her stage work, she teaches regularly and collaborates in the audiovisual field, contributing movement direction and choreography for film. Her work is known for its physicality, subtle emotional landscapes, and poetic engagement with time, silence, and the internal rhythm of movement.

Performance Trailer:

Credits:

Choreography: Paloma Muñoz | Assistant Choreographer: Amanda Rubio Sánchez | Costume Design: Linda Rowell | Music: Alejandro Da Rocha | Light Design: Moritz Zavan Stoeckle | Rehearsal Director: Zoe Camilleri | Dancers: Andrea Biagioni, Martí Blanco Romeu, Pearl Calleja, Lidia Caricasole, Lotte La Haye, Mario Manara, Alessandro Pellegrinelli, Elisa Ruffato & Amber Van Veen

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel and Embajada de España en Malta

Conversations with the Artists

With Dr Paula Guzzanti

Date: 25th July | Location: Teatru Manoel, Valletta | Duration: 40mins

CONVERSATION WITH ALL ARTISTS ATTENDING THE Q & R SESSION

About The Mediator:

Dr Paula Guzzanti is a dance artist, scholar, somatic movement practitioner, and tango dancer and teacher. She specialises in artistic and embodied research practices. In her research, Paula explores the role of the sensorial body in fostering responsible decision-making when designing urban landscapes that connect us to the natural environment. She is particularly interested in developing methodologies to deepen our interaction with the world, including the use of digital technologies to document sensory connections to places. She began her dance training in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and later continued in Ireland, where she earned a practice-based PhD in Dance Improvisation and Collaborative Performance Making at Queen’s University Belfast. She now resides in Malta, where she is the Head of the Dance Studies Department at the University of Malta.

Supported by:

Teatru Manoel

IMPORTANT

The programmes for Dance Festival Malta Day 3 (A & B) occur separately for which two separate tickets need to be purchased.

The performance 'T.R.I.P.O.F.O.B.I.A - The End' contains imagery that may trigger discomfort for some viewers, particularly individuals with trypophobia (a sensitivity or aversion to clustered patterns of holes or bumps). Viewer discretion is advised.

Dance Festival Malta is sponsored by:

APS Bank, Atlas Insurance, Camilleri Preziosi Advocates, GSD Marketing Ltd, MAPFRE, and Visit Malta