Valletta 2018’s cultural programme came to a close on Monday, with the national New Year’s Eve celebrations in the capital.

More than 70,000 people welcomed the New Year in the city, where some of the best of Malta’s local artists gave live performances on the main stage at St George’s Square. They included Ira Losco, Xarulu’, DJ Pierre Cordina and DJ Mykill.

This was the last event to be held as part of the European Capital of Culture programme, which saw more than 400 projects and events unfold across the Maltese Islands, with the participation of over 400,000 people.

Valletta 2018 said on Tuesday the programme gave a boost to the cultural, social and economic sectors in Valletta, prompting a positive increase in infrastructure, tourism and employment within the cultural sector.

It also gave opportunities to thousands of artists and community members to showcase their talents, enrich their cultural ties and participate in large scale events.

Around 1,600 local and international artists and more than 3,000 local community members took part in Valletta 2018’s projects and events throughout the year.
Most international artists hailed from European countries such as France, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland and the United Kingdom, but there were also artists from other countries from North and Central Africa and the Middle East.

The Valletta 2018 Foundation said it would continue its work through the Valletta Cultural Agency ― the first cultural agency for Valletta.