Today I can proudly say that Culture, for the first time in our political history, has become a national priority. I state this on the morrow of the outstanding opening of Valletta 2018, when our majestic Capital City, with pride, took over as the European Capital for Culture 2018.

Culture is a uniting factor, but also a change-agent. This sector unites us all, irrelevant of all other factors, be them political, religious or else. This could be clearly seen during the Valletta 2018 opening festivities, when the 110,000-strong crowd thronged the Capital’s streets in unison, enjoying the fruit of the labour of their fellow Maltese and Gozitan artists, a spectacular opening night enjoyed not only by locals and tourists alike, but also abroad.

Culture is an economic niche, a sector that creates careers and employment and contributes greatly to the nation’s economy. The Ministry for Culture can also boast of having a record sum allocated in this year’s budget for the culture sector and for the thousands working in the culture and creative sectors.

This week I announced in parliament that the rate of growth in the creative and cultural industry superseded the growth rate of all the other economy sectors. Moreover, the gross value added of this industry now stands at 7%, more than that of the construction industry and of the food industry, amongst other industries. In other particular niches of the cultural and creative industry, for example services pertaining to the cultural patrimony, this percentage is higher. Again, the estimates are that the gross value added for every person employed in this industry totals to €40,900, higher than that generated in the manufacturing and services sectors. During Monday’s sitting, I also announced that there is a 5% increase in employment over the past year in the creative and cultural sectors.

In simple words, we are experiencing a growth of unprecedented levels in this economic niche. This augurs well for the creative and cultural sector.

Valletta 2018 is a National Project, with our Capital City in focus, but with events spread all over the island, including Gozo. This is a uniting experience to be enjoyed by all Maltese and Gozitans but also by the passing tourists and those who will purposely visit our islands to have a first-hand experience of our much talented local artists.

I hope that all and sundry enjoy the numerous acts and performances in Valletta 2018’s calendar throughout this year.

This is only the beginning.

We are already looking beyond Valletta 2018. My colleague Deo Debattista informed the House of Parliament last Monday about plans to leave a sound cultural legacy for our future generations. The Central Government and the Valletta 2018 Foundation are discussing the establishment of an Agency that will guarantee this legacy.

These discussions centre around five criteria: financial support, political support, social curiosity, creative ambition and public demand.

This legacy also includes our architectural heritage. As soon as I took up responsibility for the culture sector and with Valletta 2018, but also our future generations in mind, I immediately embarked on a much needed restoration project. This was not in the Foundation’s programme, but my reasoning was, that it would be a pity indeed and also an irresponsibility not to restore Valletta’s magnificent buildings in time for this prestigious event but also for posterity.

I must applaud the Restoration Directorate within my Ministry for the excellent works done. This resulted in having a restored Palazzo Ferreria, a restored Hostel De Verdelin, a restored St. John’s Co-Cathedral façade, a restored Church of the Jesuits, and a much needed overhaul and restoration of the Manoel Theatre, just to name a few. The list of projects restored or being restored in Valletta alone totals to 15. The Valletta Local Council have also moved to a more central building, after the completion of restoration works carried out by the mentioned Restoration Directorate.

The flagship project for Valletta’s European Capital City of Culture title - MUŻA - the chosen name for Malta’s new museum of art – will be officially inaugurated later on in the year. The project is a national-community art museum, the first of its kind, being developed in a historic site within the Capital City of Valletta.

I reiterate that I am proud of being Maltese; a sensation that I am sure was felt by all during last Saturday’s opening of the year-long Valletta 2018 activities, but I also feel proud of being Maltese when I walk through the streets of our Capital City, and appreciate the newly restored buildings shining in their imposing splendour.

I also concur with my colleague Deo Debattista, when in parliament he said that this is the begining of a new era for our Capital City and for Malta and Gozo’s culture. An era which will guarantee artistic expression for the years to come.

Owen Bonnici is Justice and Culture Minister