Timeline
00s
00s
As the world ushers in a new age, the YMCA Drop-in Centre in Valletta gets a renovation; fresh premises from which to plan a series of ambitious festivals!
Mirroring the global shift and its can-do attitude, YMCA Valletta, like no other youth organisation, is responsible for bringing festival culture to the Maltese Islands.
We’re not bragging (okay we are!) but we also got Sir Bob Geldof to perform for us too. Oh yeah…did we mention Sir Elton John? More on him later…
Festażgħażagħ (2000)
The ‘Youth Fest’ is organised by the Diocesan Commission every five years. In 2000, it includes the participation of YMCA Valletta alongside fellow Maltese NGOs.
Earth Day (2000)
YMCA Valletta is invited to participate in an international movement aimed at placing ‘environmental concerns and action at the top of the world’s agenda for the 21st century’. The Maltese Ministry for the Environment, in collaboration with the Valletta Rehabilitation Project and many Maltese NGOs also take part. We offer a 3-day event at our Internet Café, focusing on the importance of communication in solving environmental problems.
‘The Gathering’ Music Festival (2000)
DJs and dance Music dominate this free music festival, the first ever free festival of its kind in Malta. Held in Ta’ Qali to fundraise the redevelopment of our Valletta Drop-in Centre, the event is broadcast live on Island Sound. Festival goers are also offered a record auction, theme park rides and craft stalls.
Art Festival Against Racism (2002)
In solidarity with European Day Against Racism, we organise a 3-day Art Festival held at our premises in Valletta, as well as Manoel Theatre and Baystreet. It coincides with the implementation of Malta’s first-ever anti-racism laws.
Attard Youth Festival (2002)
YMCA Valletta creates a festival on the theme of ‘Unity Without Frontiers…Fact or Fiction’. Budding artists are invited to a series of art workshops, attended by famous artists and Members of Parliament. Karaoke, spirituals, step dancing, aerobics and a free car wash round out the proceedings.
YMCA Valletta Festival
Held annually since 1997, this glorious Summer festival comprises diverse events including film, music, sports and theatre festivals, performances by specialty international acts–and we even reclaim an old bordello and turn it into a public art space. The festivals fundraise for our social service programmes and residential facilities, and promote young, local and international talent.
YMCA Live Music Festival (2006)
The 2006 edition of the YMCA Live Music Festival features headliner Bob Geldof and draws a crowd of over 5,000. This event is the first of its kind in Malta, hosting the largest ever set-up for local rock bands supporting a major international star. The festival is held on Manoel Island and draws sponsors Vodafone, Midi and HSBC.
Film Fest – YMCA Valletta Festival (2001)
Since the 90s, our fundraisers have served two purposes: bringing in funds for our social outreach and residential programmes, and raising awareness about the plight of vulnerable community members. Not only do we want people to enjoy themselves at our events, we also want to educate them about the issues we are fighting for.
Whether it’s activating local celebrities to engage the passerby about the scourge of homelessness, or enlisting Sir Elton John to help us campaign for the vulnerable, this is a decade for expanding our fundraising repertoire.
24 Hours for the Homeless (2002)
Raising awareness for the alarming trend of homeless cases in Malta, household personalities camp out in bunkbeds on Freedom Square in Valletta in aid of YMCA Valletta. Pedestrians are educated about the causes of this social ill and donations collected in order to help refurbish and open our major shelter project offering 44 beds. In the early 2000s, our organisation is catering for 16 people, all women and children, in a residence designed to house a maximum of 10.
Swimming Event (2005)
As part of a fundraising event entitled YMCA Festival, we set up a full-sized pool to cool off in, right at the gates of Valletta.
Rebel Riders Fundraiser for the Y (2002)
The fabulous Rebel Riders Brotherhood rides for the 7th time in service to YMCA Valletta.
Gran Ballo (2009)
The Grand Ball forms part of Carnival 2009 and helps raise funds for our residential facility. Open to the public, all are invited to participate in a costumed Gala Dinner, serenaded by baroque music and live entertainment.
Truck Stop Malta (2005)
After first appearing at the YMCA Valletta Festival in 1998, Peruvian musicians continue their pop-up performances. All donations raised from the public help us fund our social work programmes.
Mexican Night (2003)
Fabulous smaller-scale events like Mexican Night not only help us fundraise, they also encourage the narrative of a ‘global village’ of humanity.
Swimming Event (2005)
A hero strays far from home, going off on transformative journeys. Along the way, their courage to stand up for what is right, and their generosity assisting others in need, make them worthy of the name ‘hero’.
This decade sees YMCA Valletta lose a hero. But it also helps immortalise his efforts, ensuring they are not in vain. We also create a new generation of socially-active, switched-on youth who are dedicated to serving their fellow humans, and the gorgeous Earth we are all blessed to live on.
Nikki Cassar
Niki Cassar is an adventurer and a free spirit, happily on a volunteering pilgrimage in Bali, Indonesia for the Association Cultural Sayary, the organ through which he first comes in contact with YMCA Valletta. He is tasked with facilitating trade between locals and the global market in order to lift their standard of living.
He dies there in a motorcycle accident in 2003. The dream of Niki Cassar is dreamed anew each day at our residential facility named in honour of him – ‘Dar Niki Cassar’.
“My dream was to teach and to share what I have gained.”
Nikki Cassar
Clean Up the Sea (2008)
Volunteers join forces with young people to pick up waste from our beautiful coastal areas in and around Sliema. Youth are invited to take part in discussions and educational activities, gaining newfound respect and love for marine life.