A think-tank, Valletta 2018 Foundation, came to fruition yesterday as Valletta bids to become the European Capital of Culture in seven years’ time.

The European Commission has designated two countries as potential ECoC hosts in 2018: Malta and The Netherlands, where four cities are competing for the title.

It is up to the Commission to confirm whether the island deserves the award. The results of the bid will be known officially during 2013.

Speaking at the “Imagine 18” public conference yesterday, Valletta mayor Alexei Dingli said should Valletta be awarded the title, events would sprout out to other localities.

“It is also about the woman in Għajnsielem making lace and about the housewife in Mġarr cooking Euro-Mediterranean dishes,” Dr Dingli said.

ECoC was about celebrating artistic qualities, making the island the EU centre for culture of innovation and perhaps even re-opening the capital’s indoor market.

A line of speakers spoke of their vision, underlining the need for creativity, culture and innovation.

Yet, as many pointed out, ECoC was more about achieving long-term goals than one where the nation glitters for a period of time. These included economic activity related to arts and culture, tourism and local business. It was also a chance to regenerate cities, foster local community, give new vitality to their cultural life and raise their international profile.

Malta was home to 71 theatres and 66 museums and boasted some 90 band clubs and 25,000 active band enthusiasts.

As a country which mainly relied on tourism, Mr Attard said the culture sector was worth investing in since 38 per cent of tourists list culture as the reason for visiting Malta.