Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/929711
maltatoday SUNDAY 21 JANUARY 2018 Valletta 2018 III capital are the people" had to therefore have a strong European and international dimension, and had to include within it a lot of different cul- tures from around Europe and the world. The question was how to bring together Valletta's and Malta's culture with the wider cultural dimension. To do this, we strived to engage foreign actors within the cultural scene, with those operating within Malta's scene, in order to create a marriage of sorts between local and foreign culture. Do you feel that there is a balance between Maltese culture and international culture? We have created a strong balance between Maltese culture and culture in a wider international sphere. We cannot forget that it is both Valletta and Leeu- warden, in the Netherlands, which will be European Capital of Culture for the whole of the year. We are collaborating extensively with artists in that city, in- cluding working together on a theatrical opera, to be staged in both cities. Which is the biggest event in the programme? One of the major events in the pro- gramme will be the 'Valletta Pageant of the Seas', a carnival at sea, taking place on 7 June and which will see the Grand Harbour closed purposefully for the five-hour show. The idea is to turn Grand Harbour into a large stage on the sea. It will involve carnival floats, large yachts brought from abroad, acrobatics, dancing – a massive spectacle, all on the water. Other projects include the Malta International Arts Festival which will be taking place on a larger scale. There are also going to be international famous names associated with theatrical, musi- cal and dance performances who will be involved in the programme. What is the role of film director and V18 artistic director Mario Philip Azzopardi in the V18 programme? He has been leading the team respon- sible for five flagship events, namely the opening and closing programmes, an opera called "We Are Refugees", the sea carnival, and another event planned for October. All these required five years to plan and were logistical nightmares. The various cultural programmes will involve around 1,000 performers, 300 or so of whom are international names. What is the total expenditure on the project? Will we be seeing any return on this investment? I consider the redevelopment to be an investment, rather than government spending. Various restoration and regen- eration works took place as part of the project, and this is all an investment in our capital, which also created new jobs in the cultural sector, tourism sector and the creative economy, which now em- ploys more people than the construction sector. It is incredible. Are you concerned over the lack of cleanliness in Valletta? Valletta has not yet reached its goals when it comes to keeping the city clean. The fines introduced last year for Val- letta residents who breach new littering rules are part of the government's efforts to address this issue. The Valletta local council cooperated closely with us in the drawing up and implementation of the V18 programme, and we are working together to create a cleaner capital city. And after 2018? Valletta has experienced great im- provements physically, socially and cul- turally. The economic aspect continues to drive Valletta's renaissance. Valletta's potential has been recognised and it is highly likely that development will continue to take place even following the upcoming events which are considered to be driving this change. The founda- tion will not wind down after 2018 but will morph into the first cultural agency for Valletta. The value of the city is continuously increasing. Let's hope that all aspects of change are considered holistically in order to allow Valletta to continue to strive.