Time for a Valletta cultural strategy

It is time to seriously define a cultural strategy for Valletta - through the consolidation of quality cultural events - that would lead to it becoming Europe's cultural capital in 10 years' time, city mayor Paul Borg Olivier said.

He was speaking in the wake of Lejl Imdawwal, or Notte Bianca, in Valletta between Saturday and Sunday.

Tens of thousands of people from all walks of life - more than expected - are estimated to have attended the event, which has been compared to the celebrations for Malta's entry into the EU in terms of turnout.

The bulk of the activity - when Valletta was choc-a-block - occurred between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., and Dr Borg Olivier said the numbers surpassed the turnout in the capital city on the eve of the millennium.

About 12,000 locals visited Auberge de Castille throughout the night: by 1 a.m., the Office of the Prime Minister had welcomed 10,000 and a queue was still snaking down the main staircase until 2.30 a.m., Dr Borg Olivier said.

Organisers started receiving "very positive feedback" on what in other cities is termed Notte Bianca 10 days before, and it was the talk of the town as the event drew nearer.

"So, we were expecting a good turnout, but not to that extent. It was a surprise for everyone," the mayor said.

Nevertheless, the "organisation ran extremely smoothly" and Valletta was geared up to cater for the numbers, he maintained, adding that history shows it was used to it.

"Of course, there is always room for improvement in anything, particularly when it is a first."

Notte Bianca did not only offer entertainment in the form of performing arts, but also an opportunity for people to meet and converge, Dr Borg Olivier said.

"The people were the actors of this cross-cultural event. Normally, culture is considered to be sectoral, but the Lejl Imdawwal managed to popularise it," he said.

In fact, there were locals who had never entered St James Cavalier, and were awed when they visited St John's Co-Cathedral.

The event opened up the doors of culture to everyone, giving the streets back to the people, including busloads from St Vincent de Paul residence for the elderly and the wheelchair-bound, Dr Borg Olivier said.

The fact that the centre was pedestrianised contributed to a "secure and happy feeling" on the streets.

In fact, no police reports were filed, he said, even though the crowds were walking shoulder to shoulder. Everyone behaved and respected the city even in terms of littering.

In fact, an "excessive" cleaning programme during and after the event highlighted the cooperation of the visitors and their respect towards the residents, the mayor said.

The good response of the business community was also important, although more shops were expected to be open. "It was clearly their loss," he said of those who remained shut, adding that the others all enjoyed good business, and a bookshop, in particular, said it experienced a whole new market.

Tours geared up for about 20 people were taking in hundreds, one person said. This meant, for example, a lack of megaphones, or other necessary equipment due to the unexpected massive turnout - teething problems that would be worked on in the future.

Restaurants were packed solid and it was almost impossible to eat unless reservations had been made. In fact, from the feedback of restaurateurs, Dr Borg Olivier learnt that catering establishments turned their covers at least three times that night, and some even more, accepting patrons as late as 1.30 a.m.

The event was also about generating business, he said, pointing out that the experience should reflect positively on the possibility of placing more tables and chairs on the streets.

Dr Borg Olivier said the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has maintained this would limit pedestrian flow, but Notte Bianca, and the excessive volumes that came with it, proved otherwise and should be a convincing element to the authorities to consider outdoor chairs and tables even in Republic Street.

Valletta is, after all, "one of Europe's best open-air museums", the mayor said, and this should be capitalised on.

Notte Bianca was "extremely lucky" with the weather, which could have been much worse. It was only at the end, at about 4 a.m., that some performances had to be cancelled, he said.

The response to such an event confirmed that it would become yet another part of Valletta's cultural calendar. The demand has created the need to organise more than one a year: the Lejl Imdawwal, plus two to three similar seasonal events, Dr Borg Olivier said.

Notte Bianca was proof that synergy between the various stakeholders - in this case, the Tourism and Culture Ministry, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, the Valletta local council, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Valletta Alive Foundation, the business community, theatres, museums, churches, institutions and the Office of Prime Minister - delivered good results.