For an organisation that has been around for a mere two years, USPA (University Students of Performing Arts Association) has certainly been on a rollercoaster of a journey. With numerous events filling up their (and our – guilty!) calendars all year round, USPA’s executive members have certainly lived up to every student’s expectations.
With USPA’s most successful event from last year – Performing Arts Day – being a great hit amongst many, the team has decided to take it up a notch and make what was a great event even greater. That is how Performing Arts Day became a Performing Arts F-E-S-T-I-V-A-L.
This year’s edition will be taking place between Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th April. Yes, that is two days of a brim-filled programme held right at the centre of campus. Car Park 4 will be transformed into a performance space designed by architecture students at University of Malta, promising passers-by quite the aesthetically pleasing sight.
Using USPA’s words in describing the aims of this event, “the festival is dedicated to celebrating all aspects of the performing arts and serves as a means of creating an environment that encourages creativity, expression, dialogue and improvisation. The performing arts are viewed from a variety of viewpoints: academic, recreational, performative, educational and as a means of outreach — all of which are at the basis of USPA’s approach towards the performing arts.”
For what USPA anticipates to be their biggest event yet, the organisation will be collaborating with a number of local and cultural entities, including Valletta 2018 Foundation, Peter Paul from Tribali and Zfin Malta, amongst many others. In an aim to allow for the expression of the arts in all its forms, the festival will be comprised of a diverse range of activities, all spread out on the two days. The programme of events includes performances by various local and foreign artists, debates, talks, and workshops held in different locations on campus, USPA’s well-known BYOI (bring your own instrument) jams in collaboration with local artists, as well as a special edition of USPA’s series of events "BOOST’. This edition of the debate is entitled "Why so National?’ and will address the role that national performance companies play in the twenty-first century.
The festival is supported by the AÄ¡enzija Żgħażagħ BeActive Scheme, the KSU Culture and Sports Fund and the School of Performing Arts – University of Malta.
We encourage all students to participate in this festival and explore the world of performing arts in an event set up by students for fellow students. For anyone who was present at last year’s edition, you know it is not an event to be missed. For those to whom the concept is novice news, check out the link below to get a glimpse at what went down during last’ year’s Performing Arts Day on campus.
The Third Eye is happy to be covering this event between the 5th and 6th April. We hope to see many of you there!
Facebook Event: https://goo.gl/3I5lte
Official Programme of Events: https://goo.gl/LhkNby
