The exuberant performance at Teatru Pjazza Rjal by the Notik Dance Company, reviewed by Jo Caruana (The Sunday Times of Malta, Culture and Entertainment, September 14), was indeed thrilling to watch.

As she wrote, Valletta was certainly buzzing that night. Adding to it all, a Strait Street festival was held over the long weekend of the September 8 feast.

On a technical note, lights meant to illuminate the theatre’s seated area before and after shows were flashed on and off as part of the dance performance. This is hardly advisable as it only serves to blind patrons, many of whom had to shade their eyes – or resort to wearing their sunglasses! Caruana rightly questioned the absence of a single representative from the Valletta 2018 Capital of Culture camp at the performance. Shamefully, this was not the only occasion.

Imagine the acute embarrassment all round when on the following Monday (Vitorja), at the end of a free concert by the Upper Rhine Wind Youth Orchestra, no one from V-18 was present to receive a hamper of Black Forest products brought on stage by the musicians.

“We’ll have to post it,” quipped the conductor forlornly. What an affront and a let-down for Valletta’s prestige among European capitals.