Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542275
A splendid Cottonera welcome to the New Year maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 DECEMBER 2025 THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION TODAY, the Cottonera, made up of the three cities of Bir- gu, Bormla and Senglea and including the picturesque vil- lage of Kalkara, is enjoying an economic and social revival thanks mainly to the success of the tourism industry. It is therefore no surprise how, over the years, the annual End-of-Year Concert in the Dock No.1 area has become a popular attraction. This year's Concert, again undertaken by the Fondazz- joni Kottonera, is aimed at reliving the celebration, the joy and the sense of unity that these peaceful last days of the year provide to the thou- sands of Maltese and visitors who are expected to attend. The Fondazzjoni Kottonera is committed to providing a top-notch activity to help all those who attend to give a warm send-off to the old year while cheerfully welcoming the new one. The Concert programme includes the participation of the popular group Kantera and fellow artists Matthew James and Ira Losco, with the presentation prowess of Ray Calleja and Dorianne Mamo. At the stroke of midnight, the music gives way to a spectac- ular fireworks and drones dis- play in the wondrous skies of the Three Cities. During the official an- nouncement of this year's Concert, the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Govern- ment, Alison Zerafa Civelli, said "the Concert has estab- lished itself on the Maltese cultural calendar, with thou- sands of people attending to join in the nostalgia and aspi- rations that it provides to the various generations in attend- ance." The Parliamentary Secretary also spoke on the ever-grow- ing potential of the Cotton- era, with the Concert "pro- viding a unique opportunity for people from all parts of the Island to welcome 2026 against the beautiful and im- pressive background of its historic bastions and fortifi- cations." She referred to the Government's commitment "to supporting such activities that help enhance the quality of life for all residents." During the same launch of the End-of-Year Concert pro- gramme, the Chairman of the Fondazzjoni Kottonera, Mr Joe Mizzi, said whole weeks of dedicated work by the Foun- dation's employees have en- sured that the attending pub- lic will be entertained with a top-quality spectacle that will remain as a memory to cher- ish." MAJOR infrastructural projects undertaken over the years by the Central Government in the various villages and towns of the Maltese Islands have seen the emergence of a clean- er, more pleasant, and resi- dent-friendly urban environ- ment. To help enjoy, upkeep and maintain these projects, the Central Government has announced the provision of additional funds as part of the Local Government Division's successful scheme. This was announced recently by the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, and the Director General of the Local Govern- ment Division, Emile Vassallo. The scheme forms part of a number of other schemes that see additional funding provid- ed to Local Councils. It was pur- posely set up to ensure that the Councils have the necessary means to upkeep and maintain those areas which their resi- dents enjoy today. The Parliamentary Secretary said the scheme was originally created when it was realised that some of the implemented projects had sadly fallen into neglect due to lack of funds necessary for regular mainte- nance by the Councils. She add- ed: "With this new initiative we are being proactive in ensuring that the investment made into these projects is safeguarded and not one of them is left in a state of neglect. The whole idea is for Local Councils to be aligned with Malta Vision 2050 by sustaining their upkeep and maintenance of open spaces, gardens, recreative centres, playing fields, and other public spaces as part of both the em- bellishment of their localities and the security of their resi- dents. Now in its seventh year, the scheme has seen several local Councils benefitting from the funds as the development of open spaces in Malta and Gozo continues at a steady pace. The Director General of the Local Government Division, Emile Vassallo, explained how "the scheme ascertains that major projects carried out are pre- served and kept in a pristine condition. The quarter of a million euro investment is in- tended for those Local Councils which have had major projects implemented in their localities and then entrusted with their upkeep. The additional funds will go towards maintenace work on culverts, planting of new trees, the installation of public benches, open zones for phys- ical activity, children's playing fields, and the introduction of more street lighting. The locali- ties that will benefit from these funds are Mosta, Birkirkara, Ħal Għargħur, Ħal Lija, Gudja, Marsaxlokk, Paola, l-Imqabba, and Nadur, Xagħra and Żebbuġ in Gozo. The upkeep and maintenance of major projects