Tomorrow Starts With a Vision: The Malta Book Festival Embraces Sustainable Practices

The National Book Council is proud to play a part in promoting sustainable practices at the Malta Book Festival 2024, taking place at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta’ Qali from November 6-10. Thanks to the support and collaboration of key partners, the Festival will feature a range of eco-conscious initiatives aimed at fostering sustainability and environmental awareness.

Under the theme ‘Tomorrow Starts with a Vision’, the Malta Book Festival is taking active measures to reduce its environmental footprint. These include cutting down on printed materials, reusing and recycling resources, and working towards the long-term goal of a plastic-free event. From the design of the venue to the activities planned, every effort is being made to encourage festival-goers to embrace more sustainable habits.

“The overarching theme of the Malta Book Festival is #bindingworlds, so it only makes sense for us to advocate for the wellbeing of the world we’re currently on,” Festival Director Simona Cassano quipped, before elaborating on the importance of forging connections with such important stakeholders. “At the forefront of this green initiative is a collaboration with various partners who are helping to shape the Festival’s vision,” Cassano added.

In partnership with Benna’s ‘Too Good to Waste’ initiative, the Festival is encouraging attendees to adopt a zero-waste approach by choosing eco-friendly alternatives whenever possible. This collaboration highlights the festival’s commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices. A new collaboration with Piscopo Gardens will also add greenery to Ir-Rokna tal-Ktieb, enhancing the area where visitors can network and relax while reminding everyone of the importance of nature for our well-being.

As part of this collaboration, Piscopo Gardens will transform the area with carefully curated plants, including olive trees, hanging plants, and herbs, creating a welcoming, nature-filled environment that complements the Festival’s sustainable ethos. This partnership will clearly remind all visitors that ‘Tomorrow Starts with a Vision’, as Piscopo Gardens has long been dedicated to educating future generations about the importance of nature and sustainability.

The Energy and Water Agency (EWA) is also playing a pivotal role, using its returning presence at the Malta Book Festival to educate young readers about the importance of conserving energy and water. With support from its water conservation advocacy arm Għajn, EWA will sponsor Is-Sala tal-Qarreja, hosting reading sessions that creatively combine storytelling with environmental education. These sessions, featuring tales such as Osbert and Friends and Il-Kavallier Għatxan, are designed to engage children in learning about biodiversity, water conservation, and Malta’s historical water supply systems. 

As part of the Festival’s goal to reduce single-use plastics, the Water Services Corporation (WSC) will provide a water buggy at the main entrance of the MFCC (also referred to as north entrance), allowing visitors to refill their reusable water bottles. This initiative reflects the Festival’s commitment to cutting down on plastic waste, while offering a practical solution for attendees.

Sustainability extends to the artistic side of the Malta Book Festival, where the book exhibition Għada jibda bl-Għajn will explore the future of Malta from an environmental perspective. Organised in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Education & Research and Malta Community of Illustrators (MCOI) with support form Arts Council Malta and Gutenberg Press, the exhibition invites local artists to imagine what Malta might look like in 20 years if we fully embraced sustainable practices. The artworks, which will incorporate recognisable landmarks, aim to spark reflection on the choices we make today for the environment of tomorrow. Even the books themselves are being produced with the planet in mind. 

Għada jibda bl-għajn is a special section forming part of the wider From Illustration to Book exhibition (organised with Arts Council Malta and in its third year). Gutenberg Press is a key partner in this initiative who donated a number of coffee-table books to be reused by printing new dust jackets for the book exhibition, highlighting the Malta Book Festival’s dedication to eco-conscious production. 

The Malta Book Festival is committed to sustainable printing practices, and will be using environmentally friendly materials as much as possible, but also reducing the ecological impact of printing by reusing existing signage, materials and exhibit structures, thus further reinforcing the Festival’s message of environmental stewardship.

The Malta Book Festival will be taking place at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta’ Qali from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 November.

For the full programme, click here. For more information and to stay updated on the latest developments, visit ktieb.org.mt and the Malta Book Festival Facebook and Instagram page.