The European Union (EU) contributes greatly to promoting cultural activities

in Europe.

Actions taken at EU level in this field support and supplement the actions of the member states – which retain the main responsibility of the sector – and take cultural aspects into account in EU-funding programmes and policies in order to simultaneously preserve, safeguard and promote cultural diversity, strengthen the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors and bring common heritage to the fore.

The cultural and creative sectors significantly contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation and social cohesion. According to Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth: “The cultural and creative sectors offer great potential to boost jobs and growth in Europe. EU funding also helps thousands of artists and cultural professionals to reach new audiences. Without this support, it would be difficult or impossible for them to break into new markets.”

One of the ways the EU tries to promote the vast cultural opportunities for growth and social cohesion in the EU is by designating two cities every year to be European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) to help provide living proof of the richness and diversity of European cultures. Starting in 1985, the ECoC initiative has become one of the most prestigious and high-profile cultural events in Europe.

In 1985, former actress Melina Mercouri, then Greece’s Minister of Culture, and her French counterpart, Jack Lang, came up with the idea of designating an annual City of Culture to bring Europeans closer together by highlighting the richness and diversity of European cultures and raising awareness of their common history and values. Athens was chosen as the first City of Culture. The European City of Culture initiative was set up to:

• Highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures;

• Celebrate the cultural ties that link Europeans together;

• Bring people from different European countries into contact with each other’s culture and promote mutual understanding; and

• Foster a feeling of European citizenship.

In 1999, the European City of Culture was renamed the European Capital of Culture (ECoC). Cork City in Ireland was the first city in Europe to hold the prestigious ECoC title. In 2005, it was decided that two European cities will start sharing this status each year. More than 40 cities have been designated ECoC so far.

It is also important to point out that various studies show that the ECoC can help to:

• Regenerate cities;

• Raise their international profile and enhance their image in the eyes of their own inhabitants;

• Give new vitality to their cultural life;

• Raise their international profile, boost tourism and enhance their image in the eyes of their own inhabitants.

In October 2011, Malta submitted its bid for Valletta to hold the ECoC title for 2018. If awarded the title, ‘Valletta 2018’ (V.18) will see an inspiring, exciting and innovative programme of events that pushes its capabilities and creativity.

The vision for V.18 started a good two years before the city submitted its official bid. The V.18 vision is to set in motion a process of culture-led regeneration of Valletta and its surrounding harbour area in which the whole Maltese archipelago can engage. It calls for new infrastructure for the cultural sector, both physical buildings and spaces and the training of human resources, as well as a truly virtual network to support 2018.

‘The Valletta 2018 Foundation’ – an entity officially set up on the same day as the bid’s official submission but active long before this date as a focus group looking at the possibilities for cultural action – is responsible to formulate, drive and implement the vision and strategy of V.18. This strategy was finalised following a number of consultation sessions held with various stakeholders in the cultural sector.

The V.18 Foundation has established eight objectives to be promoted during the year and before to ensure that culture remains an issue on the national agenda:

• Supporting a European vision for democracy and culture;

• Ensuring cultural sustainability through the re-invention of cultural education;

• Encouraging the dynamic flourishing of diversity;

• Interpreting and developing multifaceted cultural identities;

• Incentivising and sustaining the economy of culture;

• Benefiting European cooperation by promoting international networking;

• Contributing to the ECoC legacy by supporting monitoring and research; and

• Nurturing a sustainable relationship with the environment.

These objectives can therefore be very useful not only to Valletta which will officially be holding the title but also to the rest of the Maltese Islands with various investments in the cultural sector. Up to 2018, the V.18 Foundation is working with a number of coordinators to develop the V.18 themes and objectives, and to programme strands in collaboration with artists, cultural operators, operators in the creative industries, NGOs, cultural institutions and local councils.

For more information on the Valletta 2018 ECoC visit: www.valletta2018.org/

Mauro Miceli is an Executive, (EU Policy & Legislation), Meusac