Victoria International Arts Festival (VIAF) is Malta’s longest-running Festival of its kind. It is a Festival of orchestral, choral and chamber music, which runs for five weeks between June and July every year. During this time, Victoria joins the Festival cities of Europe and beyond, with artists from all over the world converging on Gozo to leave their mark on the soul of this gorgeous Mediterranean island. That is precisely what the Festival in the heart of Victoria, blending drive, professional ethos and the typical Gozo penchant for laid-back charm, has come to signify for an ever-widening network of patrons and admirers hailing from top music centres all over the world down to the cultural-minded visitor and local music lover. Culture makes places distinctive, engendering pride in the local community. It also makes a practical contribution in terms of sustainability, providing employment, encouraging learning and inspiring people to adopt creative and active lifestyles.