The public is invited to join cultural stakeholders at ‘Imagine 18’, a conference taking place tomorrow and Tuesday aimed at helping to shape Valletta’s bid to become European Capital of Culture (ECoC) in 2018.

The conference is being organised by the Valletta 2018 Foundation, a new entity charged with formulating and implementing Malta’s vision and strategy for a ECoC.

Conferred by the European Commission on two cities each year, the title of European Capital of Culture provides Malta with the opportunity to participate in what is probably the most prestigious and visible cultural initiative in the EU.

Valletta 2018 project coordinator Karsten Xuereb said the conference was a significant step in the European Capital of Culture bid process.

More than half the 250 conference places are open to the public and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

The public will join selected participants and experts drawn from a wide range of sectors spanning culture, arts, sciences and design; representing various social, environmental and community groups.

The event’s remit is to define areas that merit further development and to create a unique vision for the Valletta 2018 bid document which has to be submitted to the European Commission by October 17.

The conference will be staged at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta, which hosts the launch tomorrow evening, and Verdala Palace, Rabat, the venue for the next day’s working groups. It will focus on seven themes which will drive the direction of the Valletta 2018 bid.

The themes include exploring creativity and play in cultural and educative projects; bringing science closer to our everyday lives and celebrating cultural diversity.

Another working group, entitled ‘Your Decision, Your Vision’, provides space for free-flowing discussion of topics that may not sit easily within the defined themes.

For further information and to register for the conference, call Sylvana Mercieca on 2291 5036 or e-mail sylvana.mercieca@gov.mt.