The Valletta Cultural Agency has marked its fifth year since its establishment, a government statement read.

Minister for National Heritage Owen Bonnici commended the work carried out as part of its cultural legacy of the Valletta 2018 Foundation, saying that with the power of culture, the public has witnessed a cultural, social, and economic regeneration of Valletta.

Since its establishment five years ago, the Valletta Cultural Agency has won several prestigious awards for both its programs and the Valletta Design Cluster, housed in the historic buildings known as the Old Abattoir, which won the Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning Awards, the Premio Concorso City Brand, and the Tourism Landscape Award from Paysage Topscape, among other awards.

Among the activities organized by the Agency are the Valletta Green Festival, the Valletta Pageant of the Seas, Opera in the Capital, the Valletta Local Food Festival, the Christmas in the Capital program, and the National Event for New Year's Eve.

The Chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency Jason Micallef emphasized the crucial role the agency plays in the regeneration of Valletta.

He said that through the events organized by the agency, Valletta, the capital city, continues to thrive.

During the press conference, attention was also drawn to the upcoming activities as part of the agency's cultural program.

CEO of the agency Catherine Tabone (photo) explained how the agency's cultural program ranges from visual arts exhibitions, large and medium-sized concerts and family events to programs targeted at young audiences and workshops.

"All of this is built on various international and local cultural collaborations that the agency has cultivated over the years," Tabone said.

On the occasion of the maltabiennale.art 2024, the agency will pay tribute to Ray Mahoney, a giant in Maltese music and poetry, through a concert to be held on 28 April.

This year also marks the 10th edition of the Valletta Green Festival, which will transform St. George's Square into a beautiful garden from 3 to 12 May.

On 22 June, the Valletta Pageant of the Seas returns for the fifth time, an event held every two years in the Grand Harbour.

Thousands of people are expected to attend this free event to witness water activities and high-level fireworks displays.

On 30 August in St. George's Square, Opera in the Capital returns, featuring tenors and Maltese singers of international fame.

Between  17 and 19 October, the Valletta Local Food Festival returns for the third consecutive year – an event that brings together local chefs and artisans offering the public a Maltese culinary feast, with demonstrations and insights into the preparation of renowned dishes such as kwarezimal, traditional Maltese biscuits, aljotta soup, and other dishes, all made with fresh ingredients of local origin.

In December, the program of Christmas activities will not be lacking, and the popular celebrations for the free New Year's Eve event in St. George's Square will once again be held.

For more information about the Valletta Cultural Agency and its Cultural Program, visit vca.gov.mt/en/events as well as the agency's Facebook page.