Valletta, Malta – European Capital of Culture 2018

What does Valletta ‘European Capital of Culture’ mean and when did it start? 

This initiative was started in 1985 in the city of Athens and is now one of the most recognized of all the EU projects. It is open to all EU and EEA member states that participate in the ‘Creative Europe’ programme. The core emphasis is to place “cities at the heart of cultural life across Europe” with the aim of improving the quality of life, and sense of community as well as boosting the social, economic and cultural development of the chosen city. Over the years local citizens, and indeed tourists, have been encouraged to get involved and support the initiative to demonstrate the “richness of Europe’s cultural diversity” whilst also promoting mutual understanding and respect through the “universal language of creativity.”

What other cities have been chosen and what effect did it have?

To date, 58 cities have been “hosts” of the European Capital of Culture title and any city chosen to host the European Capital of Culture title, can expect to see some very positive results for their location. For example in Marseille, (France) in 2013, the city saw a dramatic increase in their tourism figures for the year with a record 11 million visitors. Furthermore, in 2016, the city of Wroclaw, (Poland) attracted a huge €615,000,000 investment from the business sector as a result of the Capital of Culture title. This city also witnessed their tourism figures improve dramatically to 5.2 million visitors for the year, with a large increase in international tourists who accounted for 1.6million visitors. There is also a very positive effect on the “sense of community” within a chosen location and this has been clearly shown in places such as Liverpool (UK) in 2008 when over 10,000 citizens volunteered their services.

Valletta 2018 – what happens next?

Valletta’s cultural programme has been inspired by its traditional Maltese “festa” or village feast and during the opening week 14th – 21st January 2018), Valletta’s four main squares (St.Johns Square, Castille Square, St.George’s Square, and the newly restored Triton Fountain) will host various performances from an array of outstanding performers including the Catalan acrobatic group La Fura dels Baus, whilst ZfinMalta will perform their contemporary dance shows. To accompany these spectacular shows there will also be digital projections, music and art installations throughout Valletta, creating an incredible and vibrant atmosphere. The opening week begins from the 14th January 2018 and runs through till the 21st January. During 2018 there will be over 140 projects and 400 events, with all of them being centred around three main themes, (a) Islands Stories (2) Future Baroque and (3) Voyages.

With over 1 million visitors predicted to visit Valletta in 2018, it’s going to be quite an event and one that will no doubt be talked about for years to come.

For more information about Valletta 2018 and the cultural events go here

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