A touch of magic for Valletta

Big band concerts, re-enactments, children's activities, exhibitions and performances by the hottest local music acts are set to turn Valletta into an enchanting city on January 9 during Città Magica.

The Valletta-wide event, organised by the Malta Tourism Authority, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism and the Valletta Business Community, includes a variety of activities between midday and midnight.

The activity is intended to follow on from the Notte Magica and Notte Bianca events, with the only difference being that this time most of the magic will happen during the daytime.

Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said: "We want to keep holding these events throughout next year. A fund has been created by the secretariat, along with the Secretariat for Local Government, which is intended to be used by local councils to holds events during the shoulder tourism months."

Dr de Marco added that the fund was in excess of €250,000 and about 49 local councils would benefit.

He expressed his wish for villages to expose their unique traditions through events they put on. So far, 56 are penned for next year's calendar.

It is hoped Città Magica will provide a boost for tourism in what is usually a quiet month for the industry. Dr de Marco hoped the decline experienced last year due to the global economic recession would be neutralised in 2010.