The European Capital of Culture (ECoC) and the events culminating in 2018 are not just an appointment with history but Valletta’s bid – ‘V18’ – is an open invitation to the citizens of Valletta and all of Malta, to embark on a process of culture-led regeneration which will create new cultural opportunities for the generation of tomorrow, said Valletta 2018 Project Coordinator Carsten Xuereb.
Late yesterday afternoon, he addressed a press conference following the landing of an Air Malta aircraft, after it was rebranded with the Valletta 2018 logo, showing the city skyline.
The Airbus A380 9H-AEO was in Shannon, Ireland, where it was given a new look. It carries the words ‘Valletta Candidate City European Capital of Culture 2018’, as a result of collaboration between the Valletta 2018 Foundation and Air Malta. It represents another step in the Valletta 2018 Foundation’s efforts to achieving the prestigious title for the city for 2018.
Mr Xuereb pointed out that the European Capital of Culture is about creating an environment of exchange, the stated vision for Valletta’s bid that would benefit present and future generations. In this light, the event also involved around 50 children from Valletta’s Primary School who were given purposely printed cardboard aeroplanes earlier in the week, which they built together with their arts and crafts leaders at the Valletta local council. The children then brought the model aircraft to the Malta International Airport for the ceremony.
Air Malta CEO Peter Davies said the airline strongly believes it is flying the pride of Malta. The aircraft will be in these colours for five years and will be visiting most European capitals, regularly.
The airline is going through a revolution and the rebranded aircraft represents these changes, he said.
Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli said a series of activities are being planned in the build-up to 2018. Next year will be dedicated to Mattia Preti and the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege will be marked in 2015. Another important anniversary will be that commemorating the start of the construction of the capital city that will be marked in 2016.
Tourism and Culture Minister Mario de Marco said the plane will be a marketing tool promoting Malta in new and existent markets. Meanwhile, the government is committed to invest in the city, because the ECoC brings together culture, tourism and the economy.
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said the rebranding exercise is a sign that Air Malta is looking at the future with optimism and not at its past.