Having just entered the second quarter of 2019, it is now a good time to look back at last year and reflect, at some distance, on Valletta’s tile as European Capital of Culture. The process that led to 2018 took place over a 10-year period; 10 years of continuous work and investment in the cultural and economic regeneration of Valletta.

Infrastructurally, this prestigious European Union initiative was a catalyst for the restoration of various historical sites in the capital and for more collaboration with residents, workers and visitors in the process. It is here important to mention the Auberge d’Italie inaugurated as MUŻA, the first local museum with an emphasis on community curation.  A similar example is the Valletta Design Cluster, soon to open its doors as a space for cultural and creative practitioners in the field of design, focusing on interaction with the surrounding neighbourhood and the wider city.

At the same time the Foundation developed a cultural programme, of more than 100 projects and 400 events, that was brought to life with the contribution of various people.  Based on the theme of ‘An Island-Wide Festa’ – which did not refer solely to the festas we are all familiar with, but more so to a nation-wide celebration of culture and the arts – the programme sought to balance large, engaging happenings that would help people feel that 2018 was a special year, with a good number of smaller projects that reached out to communities and individuals on a more personal level and which would help build a strong and varied legacy. Our mission from the very start was: culture for all. We wanted people from different walks of life to actively interact with creative initiatives, rather than be passive spectators. This resulted in a highly-participatory programme that, more than ever before, brought culture and the arts to public spaces, to people’s homes and to marginalised areas. 

Aside from participation, the other main element of the cultural programme was collaboration, with the Foundation working alongside established and emerging artists to create new and original productions in a variety of disciplines. To achieve this, we brought together local and international creatives and cooperated with cultural entities hailing from Europe and beyond.  A number of projects also included the contribution of highly-renowned and respected artists, such as Spanish curator Rosa Martinez, Scottish Turner Prize winner Susan Philipsz and Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, among others. 

The momentum generated by the European Capital of Culture resulted in €195 million total investment expenditure in Valletta leading up to 2018; €89 million total cumulative impact on GDP from investment activity; 62 per cent increase in the hospitality industry employment in Valletta over the past seven years; and 18 per cent increase in cultural creative industry employment over three years. 

The Valletta Cultural Agency, which was recently set up, will now follow on the steps of the Valletta 2018 Foundation, making sure that our capital city’s continued regeneration holds culture, heritage and the arts at its very core.

(Content provided by Valletta Cultural Agency)