In just six weeks’ time Valletta will become the European Capital of Culture, joining other former major European cities in the honour of promoting the role it has played in European culture and reinforcing its historic cultural links with Europe.

Valletta’s bid to be Capital of Culture 2018 has been six years in the preparation. From the start it was seen as a splendid opportunity for Malta to derive considerable cultural, social and economic benefits and to act as a catalyst for regenerating our city and fostering our arts, culture and traditions. The opportunities for every aspect of tourism and artistic endeavour are massive.

There are two key strands to the concept. The first is to show off the magnificent history and architecture of this world heritage city in all its splendour. The second is to ensure that it becomes a stepping stone to realise the potential of Malta’s cultural enterprise by encouraging cooperation between Maltese cultural stakeholders and other European Union countries.

Despite the declaration that the streets of Valletta are to be cleared of all heavy construction machinery by the end of December, with just weeks to go Valletta still seems utterly unprepared for what lies ahead. Not to put too fine a point on it, its appearance is shambolic.

It was always known that preparing to be the Capital of Culture would entail the most meticulous coordination and planning, both by the V18 Foundation and by a range of government departments, from culture and environment to infrastructure and local government. That the capital investments in Valletta would have to be completed in time to showcase it was a given. At the strategic level, liaison between government entities and V18 had to be close and seamless in execution.

While Maltese organisational skills are renowned for their ability to get things done at the very last minute – plucking victory out of the jaws of defeat – this time we appear to have left it too late. The approach to the entrance to Valletta from Floriana, past the incomplete car park, through the supposedly pedestrianised refurbished Triton Fountain and into the capital city is still a building site. The gardens in the ditch beneath the bridge into Freedom Square are nowhere near completion. Everywhere is still a work in progress.

Although as one advances further into Valletta, there is much to be excited about with all the signs of a vibrant, youthful and “swinging” city containing some of the most impressive, well-preserved and refurbished baroque architecture anywhere in Europe, there still seems to be an unfinished and shabby look about too many areas.

In a marvellous newly published book on Malta: The Beautiful Hour, the author, a Canadian living here, Karin Steed, speaks affectionately of Valletta having “been spared the craze for development that you will see in other parts of Malta and the city is now gearing up to be the premier European Capital of Culture in 2018. Boutique hotels and new bistros and joints are opening every day… this town is jumping!”

But before we get to that exciting point we need to show that Valletta’s preparations have truly redeemed the years of neglect in its infrastructure and general appearance. We have just six weeks to get it done.

This is a Times of Malta print editorial