Valletta aspires to ‘cultural renaissance’

Valletta’s bid to be declared a European Capital of Culture took a further step forward yesterday, as mayor Alexiei Dingli officially presented the city’s application to the government.

The government will now submit the bid to the European Commission, where it will be scrutinised by an evaluation panel. A final decision is expected by September 2012.

“We all know Valletta for its past and present. This bid projects Valletta into the future,” Culture Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said before receiving the bid from Dr Dingli.

The ECoC initiative, which began in 1985, seeks to celebrate the diversity of European cultures and promote mutual understanding between European peoples. It involves the organisation of numerous cultural, creative and artistic events throughout the city.

A 2004 study showed that the designation of an ECoC led to infrastructure projects, increased publicity and “a plethora of projects and events that together attracted many thousands of visitors and participants”. Tallinn, Estonia and Turku, Finland, are the 2011 European culture capitals.

Valletta has secured the backing of every other local council in Malta and Gozo. In most other countries, cities vie against each other in order to secure their country’s ECoC bid. An as-yet undetermined city in The Netherlands will also be a 2018 ECoC.

If successful, Valletta’s bid would serve as a catalyst for the creative and cultural arts and lead to a “cultural renaissance”, Dr de Marco said.

Describing the ECoC as Europe’s “cultural Olympics”, inter-ministerial ECoC chairman David Felice explained how the plan was to foster an “environment of exchange” throughout Valletta.

Dr Dingli agreed, describing Valletta as a contemporary capital which served as a symbol for other localities throughout Malta and Gozo.

“Valletta’s bid is an inclusive one. Although it will benefit Valletta residents and workers, other localities and local councils stand to benefit too.”

Dr de Marco admitted there needed to be further investment in both Valletta’s infrastructure and in Malta’s stock of creative human capital. “We need more individuals with creative capabilities,” he said.

The bid is centred around eight themes, with each theme having a specific focus. One theme seeks to involve teenagers and young adults in the bid from this stage, encouraging young people to imagine and depict Valletta in 2018 through creative writing, photography, painting and film.

Another theme involves collaborating with fishermen, boat builders and sail makers, while yet another will bring computer scientists and artists together in an attempt at blending art and science.