01 Feb | La Valletta: European Capital of Culture 2018
La Valletta has been prestigiously nominated European Capital of Culture 2018, together with Holland’s Leeuwarden.
The strategic position between Africa and Europe makes the island the perfect place to host an event. The over one hundred events that will take place during the year are based on three concepts: bringing culture to the people, increasing job opportunities in this sector and, finally, ensuring that culture be a fundamental part of the country’s economic growth.
Valletta2018 will be based on three themes and will begin on January 20th , date in which the first big event called Erba ‘Pjazez is set, with an acrobatic performance by the Catalan group La Fura dels Baus, highlighting the Fontana del Tritone in Triton Square: “Island Stories”;”Future Baroque”, which seeks to create a dialogue between the two sides of the island, the traditional baroque one and the contemporary young one; “Voyages“, an opportunity to
celebrate the journey as both a life and an exchange of perspectives, ideas and cultures.
There are also the unwavering classic events, such as the traditional Carnival, which animates the historic centre of Valletta, from the 9th to 13th February, with parades, competitions, dances and concerts, and the Valletta Green Festival, from May 4th to the 6th, which offers visitors the opportunity to get to know the hidden treasures of the capital, such as the gardensof the Archbishop’s Palace and the Convent of Santa Caterina.
The Malta International ArtsFestival is also interesting, engaging Maltese locals and tourists with innovative theatrical, musical and artistic performances during the first two weeks of July.