The Port Regional Council is inviting the public to attend the premiere of ‘Sitt Xhur Nieqes Jum – Six Months Less a Day’, the first production by Zararti to be supported by the Port Regional Council and Arts Council Malta through the intergenerational project NEXUS. Written in Maltese by Michael Piscopo, ‘Sitt Xhur Nieqes Jum’ is a one-act drama that places audiences at the heart of a story that is both deeply personal and socially relevant. Blending compelling storytelling with the participatory format of forum theatre, the production examines the realities of housing insecurity, intergenerational challenges and the difficult choices faced by families across Malta and the Port Region in particular. The play follows Paul, a van driver and his wife Marianne, a homemaker, who live in a rented apartment in the Port area with their daughter Ritienne, a bank employee and their son Julian, who is still at school. Their everyday lives are abruptly disrupted when they receive a registered letter informing them that they must vacate their home and find somewhere else to live. The shocking news sends ripples through the entire Cassar family, turning their lives upside down.Guiding the audience throughout the performance is the Joker – a neutral facilitator who helps unpack the facts, encourages reflection and invites audiences to consider different perspectives. As the story unfolds, the clock continues to tick. Only six months remain. ‘Sitt Xhur Nieqes Jum’ is the culmination of months of community engagement carried out between December 2023 and May 2024 as part of the NEXUS project. During this period, Zararti worked closely with local councillors, children’s councils, residents and community members across the Port Region to explore shared experiences and concerns affecting different generations. These conversations informed the development of the production, which adopts the methodology of forum theatre – a form of socially engaged theatre that encourages audiences to actively participate in exploring solutions to real-life social issues rather than remaining passive spectators. By bringing together lived experiences from across the community, the production aims to foster empathy, discussion and collective reflection on one of the most pressing social issues facing families today. Performance Schedule: Valletta Mattia Preti SquareWednesday, 22nd July – 8PM Isla (Senglea) Misraħ l-4 ta’ SettembruThursday, 23rd July – 8PMBirgu Greek Theatre beneath the Bastions Friday, 24th July – 8PMAdmission is free and no registration is required. The Port Regional Council invites the public to experience this thought-provoking production and to become part of a conversation that extends beyond the stage.Tag someone you are going with•