Led by Fondazzjoni Kreattività, ŻiguŻajg remains at the forefront of artistic excellence in Malta, expanding its audience both locally and internationally. With a steadfast commitment to empowering children through the creative arts, ŻiguŻajg places them at the centre of their own artistic journeys, nurturing their development and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts. ŻiguŻajg Festival in 2022 saw its comeback after two years of hybridity. In keeping with its hybrid element, the Festival had nineteen activities from cinema, to performing arts, international companies and collaborations with the Malta Book Festival. International shows Manta and Alma joined a local lineup of creatives including It’s Reigning Cats & Dogs, Belinda and the Blue Bigilla, The Wild Swans, Mitluf Misjub, The Bard’s Farewell, sitt ġrajjiet u naqra għala spiċċajna (kif spiċċajna). In collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Malta and Spazju Kreattiv, young ones were invited to participate in a workshop based on the works of Cristobal Gabarrón. The young participants followed a tour of the exhibition Gabarrón | The Colours of Hope and then worked on their own works inspired by the artist. It provided an opportunity to engage with art while also sparking their creativity. This initiative was part of the newly introduced ŻiguŻajg Art Jam, an initiative which would introduce contemporary art in a fun and engaging way. Collaborations with the Opening Doors Association continued and this year they worked on a piece titled H2O Water Magnifico sought to connect with young audiences, whilst also promoting diversity and inclusivity through the arts. Moveo Dance Company were again part of the Festival this time with a performance based on the adventure of someone trying to release their inner clown titled Uncover/Discover.

The return of the school programme post-COVID pandemic resulted in a resounding success with most of the school performances and workshops fully booked. The hybrid element remained present and popular throughout the two weeks, as some schools opted for digital performances. Dreamscape at Home, We Are Not Islands, When the Colours Ran Away and Gajam were made available to students at school and also the general public. In collaboration with the Malta Book Festival, Coco The Singer & The Chocolate Finger was able to tour from Valletta to MFCC. This production was based on the tale of Andrew Rausi’s book The Rise of the Baker’s Dozen.

The Terramaxka Book Winners were adapted into shows for schools. These were Ride the Feeling, Vjaġġ bil-Ballun, and a chance to Meet the Author of the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas: John Boyne. ŻiguŻajg hosted eleven sensory-friendly performances, making its programme fully accessible to those with sensory needs in keeping with ŻiguŻajg’s status of being an Autism Friendly Space. The guidelines remained in place – changes made to lights and sound, a chill-out area with fidget toys, an open door policy and a social story guide – for selected performances, and a sensory room was also set up to provide the necessary space to decompress and fidget as needed. During the Festival, the team actively collaborated with social media influencers and extended open invitations to organisations working with marginalised groups in society. This inclusive approach ensured that the joy and benefits of artistic experiences were accessible to all, further enhancing the impact and success of ŻiguŻajg.