Local Councils making part of the South East region have been given €80,000 to help them organise cultural activities, Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Buontempo said today.

Dr Buontempo made the announcement during a presentation on the first edition of ‘Pjazza f’Pjazza f’Haz-Zabbar.’

The government has allocated €250,000 for cultural activities organised by local councils. Funds are given to the councils with the highest level of activities. The Xlokk region has managed to obtain a third of these funds, the Parliamentary Secretary said. This was a clear sign that the councils pertaining to this particular region believe in the potential offered by their respective localities.

Dr Buontempo added that the government was doing its part to enhance the value of the Cottonera and its surrounding areas. €11.5 million have been allocated for restoration work in a programme spanning from 2013 to 2015. This was putting these localities on the tourism map. Largely unknown until a few year back, such localities are attracting growing turist numbers.

The Zabbar activity will kick off on Saturday at 6pm.