Valletta’s status as a European Capital of Culture is the focal point of a secondary school exhibition.

Over 100 students at the St Margaret College Secondary School in Cospicua let their artistic imagination roam free in artwork, projects and games related to the capital city and its history.

For geography teacher Rita Debattista, who will be retiring next October, the exhibition has a bittersweet touch.

“I was a founding member of the exhibition and have been organising it for around 33 years,” she told the Times of Malta.

Given her role as a founder, the geography teacher has helped students think of and develop ideas for their projects.

The annual exhibition is now an anticipated day in the school calendar, with a committee of teachers from diverse subjects planning the event for months in advance of its opening.

The exhibition initially covered only two major aspects of the city, but now it is spread over 18.

I want them to learn about areas usually left in the shadows

“I am feeling a bit emotional, since it is the last exhibition I am helping organise,” Ms Debattista said.

She admitted that she had seen a decline in parents’ interest in the exhibition and said she wished more parents would visit the week-long activity.

The exhibition focuses mainly on Valletta’s urban elements and periphery, she said, adding she wanted students to learn about areas usually left in the shadows.

The exhibition will be open throughout this week between 9am and 1.30pm at the St Margaret College, Cospicua.

Exhibition organiser Rita Debattista is urging more parents to attend the exhibition currently on show at the St Margaret College Secondary School, Cospicua.