V18 – European Capital of Culture 2018
What is Valletta 2018 and how do you get involved?
Last year Malta welcomed over 2.2 million tourists with many of these visitors focusing on the sights and culture of the capital city Valletta.
In fact, the city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and while Malta is one of the smallest countries in Europe it is amongst the most popular.
So, it was no big surprise that Valletta has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2018. The celebrations kicked off back in January however there is still plenty going on throughout the rest of the year.
What is Valletta 2018?
The EU designates a different city each year to be Capital of Culture and it involves a number of cultural events to celebrate not only the city itself but also to promote regeneration, tourism and society in general.
Valletta 2018 will involve year-long celebrations that highlight the diverse and rich history that the city enjoys and it is being held in partnership with Leeuwarden, a city based in Friesland in the Netherlands. There are 400 events that are scheduled to be held across 365 days as part of the Capital of Culture programme which you can find more information about below.
As part of Valletta 2018 there have been a number of restorations and developments which have rejuvenated the city as well and will allow it to grow and flourish long after 2018 is over.
Valletta restorations and developments
To make Valletta as unique an experience as possible, several architectural sights have been restored to their former glory. This includes the covered market (is-Suq l-Antik tal-Belt), in addition to the old civil abattoir (il-Biċċerija).
Some of the highlights include the new museum of art, called MUŻA which is 3 times larger than the fine arts museum and aims to use art to power social transformation. Strait Street, the narrowest street in Valletta, has also undergone radical development to become a cultural and social hub for the city.
You can find out more information about the restorations and developments that are part of Valletta 2018 here.
How to stay updated about the events
In amongst the rejuvenation of the city, there are 400 events taking place across the year. They range from big exhibitions to street art and everything in between including music, visual arts, workshops, exhibitions and film.
You can experience enthralling Opera which promotes Maltese culture and the local language, stunning visual art depicting both old and new Valletta, listen to renowned international artists as well as talented local musicians and you can view 40 feature films and 25 short films during the Valletta film festival. There is something for everyone throughout the year and for tourists especially it will provide a valuable insight into not only Maltese cultural but also the rest of the world as well.
Have a look at the range of events on offer with the official cultural programme for Valletta 2018 and also check other attractions in Malta.
