The cultural and artistic sector is going through a steady growth and is finally getting the importance it deserves. As the minister responsible for this vast and rewarding sector, I can definitely say that it is ever-growing and a fruitful one.
It is now proven that this government was and is working to put culture on the forefront of its priorities. This is being done as we truly believe that this sector can contribute to our citizens' wellbeing and to our country's economy as well.
Our islands are full of talent - and we must strive to safeguard and foster our history and arts as much as possible. This is greatly reflected in the unprecedented investment of €70 million which have been allocated to the culture sector in the last budget. Nowadays, finally, the culture and creative sector in our country is truly being considered as a serious priority. Culture - as shown by Valetta 2018 - can be a change-agent. It also creates careers and employment.
V18 Opening Night
Valletta 2018 is a concrete example of how far we have come as a country and as a nation in relation to the culture and creative sector during the past years. This celebration is a showcase of our talents and traditions on a wider basis, not only locally, but also internationally. More than that, Valletta 2018 is a milestone because it is also the spark leading to the formation of a foundation that will carry forward Valletta as the Culture Capital of Europe beyond the end of this year. This foundation will support the legacy of Valletta 2018 for our future generations. All that we have achieved in this sector with hard work and determination should be enjoyed, and bettered, by our children.
One of the many sound examples of this is the restoration works done not only in Valletta but all over Malta. Many projects have been completed in our capital city, including the Manoel Theatre, Palazzo Ferreria's façade, Palazzo Castellania's façade, Palazzo Verdelin, and St John's Co-Cathedral. Restoration is a fundamental pillar that keeps on building on the legacy of our historical heritage that will continue to thrive through future generations. In fact, an investment of €1.8 million from European funds has led to the restoration of the Manoel Theatre, which was long due and needed.
This year is definitely going to be exciting, especially when it comes to events. We have recently launched Festivals Malta's four summer festivals: the Malta World Music Festival, Għanafest, the Malta International Arts Festival and the Malta Jazz Festival. The great variety together with the high quality of these festivals continues to not only enrich our country's cultural calendar but also to drive local industry, ever strengthening Malta's global brand of an excellent destination for festivals, and building on our country's authenticity and hospitality as a location where people can travel to enjoy their favourite art form.
Valletta 2018 is providing more exposure to local talent and to our country. Our strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean has molded us to bridge Europe with Africa. Our past is substantial proof in the fostering of our unique Mediterranean and European identity. We should see this celebration as an opportunity to strengthen this tie that was formed by time and history, especially through culture diplomacy. Alongside the artistic aspect, our cultural identity was given particular and special attention to this year's programme.
2018 brings with it the European Year of Cultural Heritage as well and we can see several firsts related to our treasured heritage during this year dedicated to it. I cannot fail to mention the inclusion of four unique Great Siege of Malta maps in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register earlier this year. Three of these maps belong to the cartographic collection at MUŻA, while the fourth is located at the Faculty of Science at Charles University in Prague. This is the first time that Malta has ever made it onto this prestigious list; a most welcome addition to the UNESCO world heritage sites managed by Heritage Malta.
Manoel Theatre
An aspect which may be relatively 'new' in this area in our country is that of intangible heritage. The Maltese Government, through the Culture Directorate, has started the process of nominating aspects of our national intangible heritage for the world-renowned UNESCO list for intangible heritage. Through this process, intangible elements of Maltese culture can be presented to UNESCO in order to be part of the world's intangible heritage list. This list includes intangible heritage such as gastronomic elements, music, dance and craftsmanship, amongst others. Marina Perez, a UNESCO expert on intangible heritage, was present in Malta to advise the Culture Directorate on the application process. This process can now be continued through the creation of a national inventory of intangible heritage from which the most eligible will eventually be presented to UNESCO for their consideration. Intangible heritage is one of the aspects that provides us with our national identity, and as a Government we are committed to preserve and keep it alive for future generations. This is all possible owing to the fact that in March 2017, the Maltese Parliament ratified unanimously the 2003 UNESCO convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Hostel de Verdelin
An agreement has also been signed with the University of Malta to start a project by which we will eventually see more Heritage sites included in the renowned UNESCO world Heritage list.
This Government always believed in a strategy aimed for culture to be available and accessible to everyone to ensure the strengthening and fostering of this sector. In fact, celebrations and events related to Valletta 2018 will be happening around Malta and Gozo and will not focus solely on the capital - we want everyone, old and young, to be able to appreciate and partake in this feast, far and wide.
This strategy has also come to life through the creation of initiatives such as Teatru Malta, that has as its aim and mandate to operate in the heart of our communities, as well as close collaborations through an agreement with Għaqda Każini tal-Banda for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and renovation of different movable items and structures owned by various band clubs around Malta and Gozo, through funds purposely allocated by the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government.
Valletta 2018 is just the beginning, the foundation to keep on building for years to come. We will not stop here. Through the impact that the European Capital of Culture, we will have sound ground to keep building a strong legacy in this sector. This is our starting point - we are constantly discovering how much our country has to offer when it comes to talent and our aim and duty is to foster and showcase this as much as possible.
This eventful year will make way to a fruitful future - as a country, as a people, we are contributing to make our capital city the artistic centre it deserves to be - a hub of talent and creativity, to be acclaimed by foreigners and locals alike.