Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera today rubbished reports that the Culture and Arts CEO Davinia Galea was asked to resign.

He was replying to questions made by journalists in Valletta this morning if Ms Galea was asked to resign despite enjoying an indefinite contract.

He said that the media reports stating so were incorrect. He explained that she was offered a new role, this time as a director to head a specific project while pointing out that her salary was going to be more than that of a culture director, above grade 3 in the civil service.

Dr Herrera said that her three-year contract had been extended for another three years in the past and now was nearing its expiration date.

Both Dr Herrera and V18 chairman Jason Micallef gave an overview of the plans related to activities to be held in Valletta on New Year’s Eve and before.

Mr Micallef said that the branding will be the same as Notte Bianca’s, based on Valletta 2018 while adding that a number of bands will be performing on the night while local comedians will also put up a number of shows.

Mr Micallef said that 42 students attending Mcast’s art and design classes will be responsible for the 3d architectural projections on the palace’s façade, which will also include a narrative background based on the late president Anton Buttigieg’s poem Il-kebbies tal-fanali.

He said Valletta 2018 is striving to help artists embark on a career, adding that he is very excited about this project.