The recent regeneration of Valletta might have saddened the more nostalgic of people, but photographer Stephen Busuttil has managed to record the città nuova of 10 years ago for posterity.

His series of photographs showing how the capital city and its people have changed over the past decade is being displayed in Washington DC.

Mr Busuttil has created a 10-year photographic retrospective for the exhibition Valletta Belt u Poplu/Valletta City in celebration of Valletta as the European Capital of Culture.

The exhibition is being held at the Embassy of Malta until May 25. In it, the photographer illustrates how Valletta and its people have changed religiously, culturally, and socially in response to globalisation. The time frame chosen reflects his initial award-winning study of Valletta in 2008, which was based on a 24-hour photographic journey around the city taking one photo every hour to visually document the city’s life.

The old bus terminus outside Valletta.The old bus terminus outside Valletta.

Ten years later, Daniel Gullo and Joseph S Micallef, curator of the Malta Study Centre, asked him to repeat this study based on the rapid changes the city has undergone since Malta joined the EU in 2004.

While the photos capture continuing traditions, particularly religious ones such as parish feasts, the influence of Europe and the wider world have left their mark on Valletta through increased tourism and globalisation.

Valletta Belt u Poplu/Valletta City is endorsed by the Valletta 2018 Foundation and is sponsored by the Malta Study Centre at the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library.

Public displays of affection – unlike today – used to be seen as scandalous.Public displays of affection – unlike today – used to be seen as scandalous.

The saluting battery at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.The saluting battery at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Castille SquareCastille Square

An artist collects money for charity (left) while people in the streets of Valletta busk for money (right).An artist collects money for charity (left) while people in the streets of Valletta busk for money (right).

People used to go to the Suq tal-Belt to buy fresh produce while nowadays they go there to eat and relax.People used to go to the Suq tal-Belt to buy fresh produce while nowadays they go there to eat and relax.

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