A Request for Proposals will be published in the coming months, urging the private sector to rehabilitate the lower part of Fort St Elmo. This after the government restored the upper part of the historic fort using EU funds. The idea is to not only restore the fort but also to turn it into an active space.

The government will also be striving to use EU funds to carry out important restoration projects. The Hypogeum project is set to be concluded and the Notarial Archives in Valletta will be rehabilitated and modernised.

Capital of culture

The government is currently working on a programme of activities for V18, when Valletta will become the European Culture Capital. A number of applications for EU funds have been submitted for cultural projects that include the Valletta Design Cluster, the MUZA project, the Grand Salon for Costume, Fashion and Film and the Malta International Contemporary Art Space. The private sector will also be investing in the regeneration of the old market.

Professor Scicluna said the government would keep working on the restoration of fortifications. The restoration of the St Paul’s Catacombs is currently underway and a protective tent will be erected on top of the Tarxien Temples.

Global Arts and Culture Summit

Malta will be hosting the seventh Global Arts and Culture Summit, which will bring some 400 delegates from 80 countries to Malta.  Malta will also be participating in the Venice Biennale.

The government will be extending the financial allocation for the Malta Arts Council and a €500,000 competitive fund to co-finance cultural projects over a three-year period will be set up. Following the successful establishment of ZfinMalta, the government now aims to launch Teatru Malta.