Valletta and Floriana celebrated New Year’s Eve together last year, putting rivalries aside. But this NYE, separate celebrations will be held. The reason is because this year, Valletta’s celebrations will be handled by the V.18 Foundation in conjunction with other partners, including the Valletta local council.
One of the main attractions is set to be the 3-D architectural projections on The Palace’s façade based on the late president Anton Buttigieg’s narrative Il-kebbies tal-fanali.
V.18 chairman Jason Micallef said the foundation is striving to help artists embark on a career, adding that he is very excited about this project similar to the popular one presented on Castille’s façade during Notte Bianca. This is giving 42 students attending MCAST’s Art and Design Institute the opportunity to collaborate and develop a project with V.18.
Mr Micallef pointed out the projections will take place as from 22 December onwards and will introduce the spirit of a Maltese Christmas with a European dimension to Valletta.
“V.18 is not about an organisation but holding activities in coordination with ministries and the private sector while branding Valletta to Maltese and foreigners,” he said.
During the press conference at the Exchange Building in Valletta, which houses V.18, Mr Micallef together with Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli, the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for culture Jose Herrera and Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella, gave details of the celebrations to take place at St George’s Square on New Year’s Eve. G7 Events is also collaborating on the shows.
For the first time, all activities will be transmitted live on all local television stations and by means of this, people at home will this be able to join in the festivities.
The crowds in Valletta will be able to follow brass bands and DJs as well as other local well known acts performing at St George’s Square on big screens in Great Siege Square and St John’s Square. Other stages will be out up in different areas in Valletta while shows will be held at Pjaza Teatru Rjal every hour.
The Floriana Local Council is organising activities in St Anne Street which will be turned into a pedestrian zone for celebrations and the countdown to 2014.
Information on the council’s website says the main road will be transformed into a village offering activities for the family. Games, animation, food and drink will serve as attractions.
The entertainment programme will start at 9am with the participation of Cristabelle Borg, Miriam Christine Borg, Ludwig Galea, Aldo Busuttil, Joe Demicoli, Hooligan, Chiara and Claudia Faniello.