Valletta was recommended for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018 by an independent selection panel yesterday. The formal nomination will take place by the EU council of culture ministers in May 2013.
Addressing a news conference at the St John’s Co-Cathedral oratory, which is home to Caravaggio’s The Beheading of St John the Baptist, Manfred Gaulhofer, the chairman of the selection panel, announced the positive outcome of the panel’s decision, saying: “It’s a great honour for me and an immense pleasure of course, to present to you the decision of the jury within the surroundings of some of the most prestigious paintings in history and some of the most beautiful places in the world.” He said the selection panel’s decision was a unanimous one.
He said the selection panel has been persuaded that there is the will, the drive, the ambition, and the growing and strongly needed increase in self-esteem of the V.18 team to make Valletta European Capital of Culture 2018 an extraordinary endeavour that meets everyone’s expectations.
Tourism, Environment and Culture Minister Mario de Marco said Valletta and the country at large has to look beyond 2018; the success of the bid will depend on the legacy of V.18. Valletta is a celebration of the past, as well as of the future, said Dr de Marco.
And in a statement, Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner responsible for education, culture, multilingualism and youth, as saying: “I congratulate Valletta on its successful bid. I am happy to see the enthusiasm generated in Malta for the European Capital of Culture title.
“I am confident that Valletta will develop an exciting programme of events with a strong European dimension and that the title can bring significant long-term cultural, economic and social benefits for the city and its surrounding area. I wish every success to Valletta.”
Ann Branch, head of unit at the Directorate General for Education and Culture of the European Commission, said that although Valletta found itself alone in the European Capital of Culture 2018, the V.18 team took the bidding process very seriously.
She described the European Capital of Culture title as a truly unique opportunity to bring people closer through the power of culture. Valletta will be European Capital of Culture together with a Dutch city that has yet to be chosen.
“There are challenges, but they will be worth it,” said Ms Branch, adding that the cultural and creative sectors contribute a great deal towards social and economic development. These sectors are an important means of facing the challenges that Europe is currently going through, she said.
Concluding, Ms Branch remarked: “This is the most spectacular setting yet for a press conference.”
Dr de Marco, on his part, noted that Valletta was not alone in its bid to become European Capital of Culture 2018, but it was assisted by all the local councils. The initiative is important for the artistic and cultural community, which has grown and wants to look forward to the future, said Dr de Marco, adding that the country had to continue investing in the necessary cultural infrastructure, as well as in the human resource.
He said St John’s Co-Cathedral, with its austere and simple facade and its internal wealth of art and culture, reflects what Malta is all about – an island that surprises and defies expectation.
Meanwhile, Owen Bonnici, the opposition’s spokesman for higher education, the university, research and culture, expressed satisfaction at the news that Valletta will be one of the two European Capitals of Culture in 2018.
Dr Bonnici said the PL collaborated with the government on this important bid and promised to continue cooperating to ensure that V.18 is a great success.
The national airline also issued a statement, saying it was delighted about Valletta’s successful bid. Last March Air Malta re-branded one of its Airbus A320 aircraft to promote Valletta’s proposal. This aircraft will be flown in this livery until 2018, but in the coming weeks the plane’s tail will be changed to reflect the new Air Malta livery.