A series of interactive maps will serve as an inventory of Malta’s heritage to promote cultural appreciation.
The maps, which are being developed by a team of university academics, form part of the preparations ahead of Valletta’s 2018 stint as European Capital of Culture.
Addressing a press conference at the newly restored Salesian Theatre in Sliema, Culture Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera said the project would serve as a directory of significant sights, venues and cultural curiosities across Malta and Gozo.
The whole island will be the cultural capital and not just Valletta
“This project is a part of the V18 legacy that will live well beyond 2018. It will be spread across Malta because we believe that the whole island will be the cultural capital and not just Valletta,” he said.
Dr Herrera said the Art Deco theatre was a perfect example of the cultural gems hidden away in the towns and villages outside Valletta.
Built in 1903, it is the only functioning theatre in Sliema.
The cultural maps will provide a layout of each locality using state-of-the-art GIS mapping technology.
The project is being carried out by a working group of eight university academics headed by geography lecturer Maria Attard.
It is being supported by the cultural and audiovisual units within the Tourism Ministry.
Representing the University of Malta, Joe Friggieri said the working group had worked tirelessly on the V18 bid prior to Valletta even being awarded the title. The maps, he explained, will be freely available online and will be followed by a book on the different research projects being carried out on cultural perceptions across the island.
V18 chairman Jason Micallef said the maps would serve as a tool to better inform the Government on areas in need of investment.
“If we want to see culture grow then we have to recognise what needs attention and what kind of attention. This project, and others like it, is part of our commitment to seeing culture into the future,” he said.
The maps, he said, would also allow artists, historians, academics and a myriad of other professionals to venture into new cultural projects.
“We look forward to a time when more artistic projects happen. We want to make this a reality,” he said.