You can now visit parts of Valletta's hidden underground, as part of a sound installation developed for the city's European Capital of Culture celebrations. 

The underground cisterns opposite the law courts will host Susan Philipsz's sound installation Who By Fire, which is inspired by a salvaged naval bell at the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo.

 Ms Philipsz's work addresses memories and loss of cultures over time, and the installation is part of Valletta 2018's flagship exhibition Dal Baħar Madwarna, which opens on Sunday. 

A Berlin-based Scottish artist, Ms Philipsz's famous sound installations won her the Turner Prize in 2010. She was awarded an OBE in 2010. 

Awkward moments

The exhibition was launched on Saturday morning by Ms Philipsz and Valletta 2018 Foundation chairman Jason Micallef.

With the speeches done and dusted, Ms Philipsz paid her respects to murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, lighting a candle at the makeshift memorial set up just metres away from the entrance to the underground cisterns. 

Mr Micallef, who has faced calls to step down following a Facebook post which seemingly mocking Ms Caruana Galizia's final blog post, stood and watched awkwardly.  

Dal Baħar Madwarna

As well as the underground cisterns, Dal Baħar Madwarna will showcase the work of more than 22 Maltese and international artists at both the Pixkerija at Barriera Wharf and the Old Examination Centre at Fort St Elmo. 

The exhibition, which is curated by Maren Richter, will remain open until July 1. A €5 ticket buys you a single entry to each of the various exhibition venues. Tickets are available at tickets.valletta2018.org.

Ms Philipsz later lit a candle at the makeshift memorial to Daphne Caruana Galizia. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier