The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO – defines cultural heritage broadly as “the legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations.”

A definition that, not only describes our vision for this sector, but also defines exactly what we are doing for our local Heritage. I sincerely believe that we cannot just enjoy what we have inherited but we also have to preserve all we have for posterity. More important than this, we started on an ambitious journey to put these beliefs in action. I can proudly say that concrete action and hard work have resulted in numerous highly praised projects, which have saved our heritage to be enjoyed for years to come.

The year 2018 was designated to be the European Year of Cultural Heritage by the European Commission as announced in 2017. The European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 allows EU citizens to gain a broad understanding of their cultural heritage in all its aspects, celebrate it and benefit from the creation it inspires.

Numerous EU funding programmes for cultural heritage projects have allowed Member States to undertake action to revive their national or local heritage and also keep their traditions and crafts. This is a desirable situation to further develop cultural tourism.

I have always stated that cultural heritage is also an economic asset and a tourist attraction, apart from also being a unifying factor.

We have a vision for our heritage, mainly to make them more accessible in all its definitions, and revive our heritage sites to attract the younger generations.

The recently launched MUŻA with its innovative and hands-on displays is a leading example. However, accessibility is not just that. We need to attract more visitors of a younger age. This is where the Heritage Malta Passport makes its debut.

Together with my colleagues Minister Evarist Bartolo and Principal Permanent Secretary and Executive Director of Heritage Malta Mario Cutajar, we launched the Heritage Malta Passport at ĦaġarQim, one of the many temple sites on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

I heartily commend this initiative as thanks to this scheme, we are promoting a more inclusive sector in a manner that it is more accessible, not only to adults, but most especially to our young ones, so that these start appreciating our country’s rich heritage at an early stage in life. It is through such initiatives, that we keep on working to strengthen accessibility and inclusivity within the sector.

Let me detail this initiative. All students attending primary or secondary level education, whether they are state, independent or church schools, in Malta and Gozo, will receive the Heritage Malta card at their school. This card provides free unlimited access for one student and any two accompanying adults to all Heritage Malta sites and museums (except for Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum). The card will remain valid until the end of Year 11 (Form 5) at the end of the last school term.

On their first visit to any Heritage Malta site or museum (except for Borġ in-Nadur, ĦalSaflieni Hypogeum, Ta’ Ħaġrat, Skorba and Gozo Nature Museum), students will collect their Heritage Malta passport and their first stamp. This passport will be stamped on every visit to any of the Heritage Malta locations (including the aforementioned ones of Borġ in-Nadur, ĦalSaflieni Hypogeum, Ta’ Ħaġrat, Skorba and Gozo Nature Museum).

The different stamps on the Heritage Malta passport are collectable and will lead to benefits and gifts. When a student has collected 10 different stamps from 10 different locations, a Heritage Malta VISA will be issued for a one time free entry (for the passport holder and two accompanying adults) to a site that is not usually open to the public. Again, on the collection of 10 more different stamps of 10 other different locations, two more VISAs will be issued for a one time free entry to two other sites that are not usually open to the public. The final collection of 27 stamps from 27 different locations gains a VISA for a one time free entry to ĦalSaflieni Hypogeum for the student and one of the accompanying adult or if preferred, for a Heritage Malta exclusive gift pack.

Through this strategy, the Government is ensuring that our young ones – and even adults – have access to our country’s local heritage, in order for them to nurture a love for history and culture, which can be passed on to present, and future generations.

That is what we are striving to achieve. A legacy for our future generations. The above is just one example. Another is the planned legacy, now in its final stages, which will replace Valletta 2018.

With days left of a marvellous year that has been, Valletta will end its term as the European City for Culture with a well deserved standing ovation. More than the statistics that will be eventually published, this year-long event has been a dream come through for all, the artist, the audience, the visitor, the people behind the scenes, the planners, the organisers.

In bidding farewell to the prestigiuos title as the European Capital of Culture for 2018, we are offering a feast of culture in the Capital with performances by local talent. Let me get to the details further down.

Why was this year so special? We had a feast of art, music, dance, the sense of community and even the infrastructural wealth created, particularly the new National Arts Museum, MUŻA – Valletta 2018’s flagship project, which will be open to the public free of charge on this special day from 10 onwards, until late. The public will have the opportunity to experience all this and more.

However this will be a one night feast of culture. Having been content with that, we would have failed to grasp the moment and build on it. But we are.

Valletta 2018 will thrive even when the prestigious title goes to our European neighbours Italy and Bulgaria in Matera and Plovdiv. Valletta 2018 will be evolving into an Agency – so that the unique atmosphere that reigned during this year will not be lost. Valletta 2018, albeit under a new brand will be moving forward what we have experienced during the year. This farewell in fact, is not that. It’s the end of a mandate that will be an exciting start to a new beginning, to ensure that Valletta continues to grow in the cultural, economic and social sectors.

I repeat – we have to leave a cultural inheritance to our future generations.

While being an exceptional platform for various Maltese and Gozitan artists, it also helped in attracting more tourists to our country. During the year we saw what can be easily described as the largest cultural program that our country has ever seen. More than 400 cultural activities were produced with hundreds of local and even foreign artists. Valletta 2018 contributed to the economy in many ways. Statistics show a boost in tourism, Malta became a household name in culture-oriented spheres. Activities benefited all sectors of the community, including families, children, elderly persons, persons with special needs, members of various communities, artists and many others.

This success will be celebrated during the Valletta 2018 Official Closing. And what a night it will be!

Popular local music groups Tribali, The Brass House Unit and artist Ozzy Lino will be giving live performances at St George’s Square in Valletta on Saturday 15th December. This performance forms part of “L-AħħarFesta”.

The Big Dancers, Moveo Dance Company and the Valletta 2018 Chorus will also be performing on the main stage. Mireille Bonello and Svetlana Muscat will be hosting the show on the night.

While performances begin at 6.30pm, the official closing event kicks off at 4.30pm, offering a roundup of the year with performances and installations from some of the best projects in Valletta 2018’s Cultural Programme, happening in the city’s main streets.

These include an installation and film performance by Magna Żmien, an interactive ballroom dance performance at Is-Suqtal-Belt, a community music performance by MewġaMużika, a performance of Alberto Favaro’s Geography of Lives, Sempreviva - an installation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, and an exhibition by artists in residency at SpazjuKreattiv.

The streets of Valletta will see several large memory walls being painted live by Graffiti artists. These walls will be spread around Valletta. They will help reminisce some of the best moments from this year, and will serve as an artistic rendering between Valletta 2018 and the upcoming European Capitals of Culture.

Valletta will then officially pass on its European Capital of Culture title to Plovdiv and Matera, the two European Capitals of Culture for 2019, during a special ceremony at St George’s Square, starting at 8pm.

For more information and the latest updates on L-AħħarFesta: Valletta 2018 Official Closing, follow Valletta 2018 on Facebook.