Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/929711
10 maltatoday SUNDAY 21 JANUARY 2018 Valletta 2018 PHOTO JAMES BIANCHI VALLETTA greeted its year-long title as European Capital of Cul- ture with a marvellous spectacle of music, light, 3D projections, re- markable acrobatics and artistry. Tens of thousands of people de- scended on Malta's capital yester- day evening to witness the launch of Valletta's 2018 European Capi- tal of Culture. An opening ceremony at the Mediterranean Conference Centre kick-started the year-long festivi- ties to the sounds of Malta's na- tional anthem, followed by a stir- ring performance by the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta, as the stage was set for Valletta to take on its central role on the European cultural podium. V18 foundation chairman Jason Micallef, addressing the ceremony, said that the city's achievements were a "dream which is now a real- ity", as he maintained that the city would "never be left to fall behind." The launch of the "Four Squares" celebrations followed the ceremo- ny, with Tritons Square, Castille Square, St George Square and St John Square delighting the city's visitors with a myriad of sounds, colours and performances. The audience looked on as Cas- tille Place was illuminated with graphical projections depicting a journey through Malta's history. The musical accompaniment contributed strongly towards cre- ating an engrossing atmosphere which people seemed to appreci- ate. Fireworks above Castille mes- merised onlookers and as the show ended, people proceeded to the next show at Tritons Square. V18 Foundation chairman Jason Micallef opened his speech by de- scribing Valletta as a "rundown city on the decline" that had been "successfully transformed into a bubbling capital that is aware of its immense potential". "Valletta was a hidden gem that, following this year, will be hid- den no more. Tonight, Valletta steps out of the shadows to take its rightful place at the centre of the European stage." Micallef said the city was wit- nessing the birth of a 365-day cultural programme he dubbed a "people's festa. The celebration of a rebirth." He said Valletta 2018 would de- liver a series of world-class events in all artistic fields. "From the start, our battle cry has always been: Quality culture for all. No one must be held back by lack of opportunity. After all, dynamism in arts and culture cre- ates dynamism in a nation. An investment in culture is an invest- ment in the future of our society." Micallef also said that Valletta's "iconic" neighbourhoods were "once dying a slow and painful death, [but] are now blossoming with new life. We are observing a cultural, economic and social re- surgence. People are flocking to the city at every hour, throughout the whole year, to experience this unique city. Its popularity is con- stantly on the increase. Today, Valletta can aspire to be a real cen- tre of excellence that looks ahead and not backwards." MASSIMO COSTA A kind of magic The 'festa' kicks off: the AFM military band gave a magnificent rendition of timeless Maltese classic songs, leading the theme motif for the 2018 European Capital of Culture, the village feast At the Triton Fountain