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The Malta Book Festival is Malta’s foremost literary and cultural celebration, bringing together literature, illustration, creativity, and publishing through its annual national event organised by the National Book Council (NBC).

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Two Artworks, One Creative Journey

Sillygoose at the Malta Book Festival 2026 — 47th Edition

Malta, November 4–8, 2026 — The National Book Council, in collaboration with Arts Council Malta, presents the fifth edition of From Illustration to Book, an exhibition celebrating contemporary illustration, book design, and the artistic process behind visual storytelling.

For the second consecutive year, Sillygoose returns to the Malta Book Festival, this time with two original artworks selected for the 2026 exhibition. Following participation in 2025, the double selection marks another milestone in the artist’s continuing exploration of imagination, creativity, and narrative expression.

Held at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali, the festival welcomed artists, authors, publishers, and readers for five days dedicated to literature and the visual arts.

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The Pieces

The Stories Behind the Works

Sillygoose’s return to From Illustration to Book continues an artistic exploration of narrative through imagination, form, and visual expression. With two original artworks selected for the 2026 exhibition, this year’s participation reflects a growing body of creative work that moves between contemporary illustration, conceptual art, and storytelling.

Each piece offers its own visual narrative, exploring the possibilities of illustration as a language beyond words. Through imaginative composition and expressive detail, the artworks invite viewers to discover their own interpretations, transforming visual ideas into moments of curiosity and connection.

Together, the two selected works represent another chapter in Sillygoose’s evolving artistic journey, where illustration becomes both the story and the storyteller.

 

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The Voice

The Artist’s Perspective

“Illustration is how stories breathe before they’re written where the unseen finds its form and memory becomes visible.” — Sillygoose

 

Returning to the Malta Book Festival for a second consecutive year represents a meaningful continuation of Sillygoose’s artistic journey. The selection of two artworks offers another opportunity to share imaginative visual narratives with Malta’s literary community and a wider audience.

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The Buzz

Cultural Relevance

The Malta Book Festival 2026 celebrates Uncover the Story, a theme inspired by curiosity, exploration, and the discovery of unexpected narratives.

Now in its 47th edition, the festival has become one of Malta’s most significant cultural gatherings, bringing together publishers, writers, illustrators, educators, and creative professionals. With over 40 exhibitors and approximately 60 events, the 2026 programme reflects the diversity of contemporary literature and artistic expression.

The fifth edition of From Illustration to Book highlights the evolution of illustration in Malta through five dedicated sections: Maltese Illustrated Characters, Illustration Today, MCOI Illustration Annual 2026, Artist Spotlight, and From Idea to Illustration.

The exhibition also celebrates established and emerging creative voices, featuring a special focus on illustrator Matt Stroud and a tribute to the late Ġorġ Mallia, whose contributions helped shape Malta’s illustration heritage.

Sillygoose’s inclusion for a second consecutive year reflects a continued connection with Malta’s creative landscape and the wider dialogue between independent artistic practice, literature, and visual storytelling.

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Festival Highlights

A Celebration of Stories and Imagination

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• International literary guests including Scottish crime novelist Ian Rankin and acclaimed Spanish author Esther García Llovet
• The fifth edition of From Illustration to Book, showcasing contemporary illustration and book design
• The MCOI Illustration Annual 2026, highlighting work by illustrators and designers active in Malta and internationally
• The Artist Spotlight featuring Matt Stroud and a tribute to the late Ġorġ Mallia
• From Idea to Illustration, exploring the creative journey from initial concepts to completed illustrations
• Literary discussions, book launches, workshops, and theatrical performances by More or Less Theatre
• Family-friendly events, school visits, and creative activities encouraging children and young readers to discover literature

The Malta Book Festival continues to celebrate the relationship between literature and the visual arts, bringing readers, artists, and writers together through stories that inspire imagination, curiosity, and creative discovery.

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Publication Notes

Key publication details are outlined below.

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In the Headlines

Who reads it. Where it’s seen.

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• Featured in the official National Book Council — Malta Book Festival & Exhibition Launch
• Part of the From Illustration to Book 2026 exhibition, presented in collaboration with Arts Council Malta
• Documented through the official National Book Council — Malta Book Festival Archive
• Highlighted in the University of Malta — Newspoint festival coverage
• Covered by The Malta Independent and MaltaToday
• Featured in national cultural reporting through MaltaToday — Arts & Books, TVM News, and Times of Malta — Times²
• Listed by the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre and covered by the Government of Malta
• Promoted across official social platforms via Malta Book Festival, @ktieborgmt, and @artscouncilmalta

The Malta Book Festival 2026 and its From Illustration to Book exhibition received coverage across national media, cultural institutions, and official publishing platforms. These references document the wider event and exhibition, rather than individual press features naming Sillygoose.

“Two artworks, two consecutive years, and a continuing creative journey — Sillygoose’s return to the Malta Book Festival celebrates the relationship between illustration and literature, where visual imagination gives stories a life of their own.”