Malta is gearing up for the final selection of the 2018 European Capital of Culture.

In January, the chairman of the evaluation panel, Manfred Gaulhofer, had said the jury was pleased with Valletta’s bid and if it made it through the final phase in nine months’ time it would secure its title of Cultural Capital.

The selection process will reach a pivotal point at the end of this month with the second edition of Imagine 18 that will be held at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta and the Verdala Palace in Rabat.

“We are now preparing for the final selection meeting in which Valletta and its project for 2018 will have to prove they are worthy of the title of European Capital of Culture,” Valletta 2018 Foundation chairman David Felice said yesterday.

He was speaking at the Lija primary school during a visit by Education Minister Dolores Cristina and Culture Minister Mario de Marco.

Imagine 18 includes a series of workshops to generate discussion about the impact of the European Capital of Culture on cultural, educational and social affairs in Malta.

The Valletta 2018 Foundation is accepting project proposals to be included in its cultural programme that will form part of its final bid proposal.

Those interested can submit their ideas and proposals on www.valletta2018 by June 30 at noon. The Valletta 2018 Foundation can be contacted via info@valletta2018.org or on 2124 2018.