The news that a programme designed to help local councils stage locality-specific cultural events has been doubled in size for next year is positive and encouraging. The almost e140,000 in funding given out by the government this year, the first time local councils received funds for cultural activities, has been close to doubled to e250,000 for 2010.

But the initiative does not stop at a mere cash injection: the Malta Tourism Authority, which is itself now contributing funds towards councils’ cultural activities, will also be promoting such events both in Malta and abroad.

The funds were put to good use this year – through the holding of events such as Birgu by Candlelight, Military Mtarfa, the Senglea Maritime Festival, the Mgarr Strawberry Festival and Mediaeval Mdina – activities that all turned out to be enormous hits with Maltese and tourists alike.

These initiatives are a major bonus for Malta’s overall tourism product and have helped spread the tourism euros a little more equitably between localities, some of which are seldom visited by tourists.

But, tourism aside, the fact that the events have been enthusiastically attended by Maltese in their droves shows there is a real thirst among the local population to embrace traditions – very much the root of Maltese society and an area that has been sorely lacking in Malta over at least the past few decades.

Every locality in Malta has its own identity and niche areas to showcase, and every locality deserves the chance to do so – exactly why the partial decentralisation of culture as provided for by the exercise is most welcome.