VIAF’s 2020 23rd edition, held in honour of Mro Joseph Vella, proudly announces one of many fringe activities it has organised this year. To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, a public talk will be given Prof. James Corby, discussing the themes of suffering and freedom from the Enlightenment to Romanticism. An expert on German Romanticism, Head of Department of English at the University of Malta, as well as co-editor of the Department’s literary journal, CounterText, published by Edinburgh University Press, Prof. Corby will also touch on Schiller’s Ode to Joy which was set to music by Beethoven in his 9th Symphony (Choral).

This talk will be held at Studio Theatre, 81 Old Mint Street, Valletta. Due to social distancing constraints, the venue can accommodate only 25 people. Those interested please write to the organisers on [email protected] Patrons are kindly requested to be seated 10 minutes prior to commencement of the event.

As with all VIAF events, the public talk is free of charge.

The talk will also be transmitted live online on VIAF’s Facebook page and the Festival’s YouTube channel,  youtube.com/VictoriaInternationalArtsFestival  It is sponsored by the Valletta Cultural Agency, with the full cooperation of Teatru Manoel. VIAF’s main sponsor is Arts Council Malta.