The political controversy surrounding Valletta 2018, brought about by comments made by V18 Chairman Jason Micallef, “caused considerable damage” to European Capital of Culture’s international reputation, as well as to Valletta and Malta generally, according to a European Commission report.

The European Commission oversees the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) brand.

Micallef had drawn the ire of artists, and the general public, with rants on the use of the Great Siege monument in Valletta as a makeshift shrine dedicated to slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. He had also ridiculed the journalist by twisting her famous last words and using them with photos of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in St Julian’s.

Published earlier this week, the report found that “ill-advised communications served to damage the international reputation of the brand and political interference affected the artistic vision and direction” of V18.

It also makes reference to the changes in the cultural programme, as well as changes inside the Valletta 2018 foundation made after the change in government, including Micallef’s appointment.

V18 led to increase in tourism

On the other hand, the report says the overall performance was positive, and the event, apart from lifting Valletta’s cultural status and attracting more Maltese to visit cultural events, it led to increased tourist arrivals both in Malta and in the capital city.

Some of the changes made reflect the “usual” changes that happen in the development phase of any ECoC but others seemed to be related to the change in government, it says.

Shift towards less artistically-challenging events

“The view amongst stakeholders was that there had been a shift in emphasis away from innovative, artist-led and avant garde works towards large-scale, less artistically-challenging events,” it says, quoting media reports from the time.

The foundation also went through considerable changes, the report mentioned, mainly that the role of the Mayor of Valletta became less prominent and, in April 2013, chairman David Felice was replaced by Jason Micallef, a former PL secretary general and current chairman of the Labour Party media.

The report also notes that Micallef’s appointment was criticized on a political level, as well as by media commentators and cultural stakeholders, who felt he did not have sufficient experience of the cultural sector.

Seven artistic programme directors terminated

The controversy that erupted when the contract of the Artistic Director, Wayne Marshall, was not renewed, in April 2014, was also mentioned. Around the same time, the contracts of all seven artistic programme directors were also terminated. Executive Director, Karsten Xuereb and Programme Coordinator, Margerita Pulé were also sacked in June 2017.

The report says international artists and operators said that these personnel changes, particularly the departure of staff with artistic experience and expertise, had been detrimental to the implementation of their projects.

Cost of V18 half original cost

The report also highlights the fact that, while Malta’s ECoC programme was originally set to cost just under 50 million between 2013 and 2019, the final expenditure was just half that amount – 26 million.

The V18 Foundation attracted “a considerable degree of national and international criticism” following comments posted on social media by Micallef, which appeared to mock the murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the report notes.

His comments led to condemnation from various sources both within Malta and internationally. Over 100 Maltese artists also wrote to the Prime Minister demanding that he sack Jason Micallef.

A letter signed by 72 MEPs also called for the dismissal of Micallef. The writers’ organisation, PEN International, sent a letter signed by 286 international writers to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, condemning “the behaviour of the management of Valletta 2018”.

Ulrich Fuchs, a former member of the ECoC selection and monitoring panel, was quoted as stating that he would not attend any event held by Valletta 2018, “as long as people who are representing the project destroy European values”.

European Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans had said “anyone who represents a European Capital of Culture to express him or herself in a manner that reflects the common values on which the EU is based, such as democracy, freedom of speech and the rule of law” and that “any statements made in this context that go against this spirit are highly regrettable and should, in the Commission’s view, be avoided.”

For his part, Micallef had been quoted as saying that the criticism against him was “blown out of proportion.”