Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547166
Brian Azzopardi: 'We want visitors to choose Gozo, not treat it as an afterthought' 6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 OCTOBER 2026 INTERVIEW VICTORIA Mayor Brian Az- zopardi hopes the European Capital of Culture title will encourage tourists to choose Gozo rather than consider it an afterthought while visiting Malta. At the local council office in the heart of Victoria, Azzo- pardi discusses what the title means for the town, Gozo as a whole and the legacy he hopes it will leave beyond the year it- self. Azzopardi outlines plans for cultural spaces, urban regen- eration and other projects in- cluded in the bid book, includ- ing a proposal to move parking underground at St Augustine Square to create an open pub- lic space. Furthermore, he discusses the lessons Victoria can learn from Valletta's 2018 experi- ence, stressing the importance of keeping the town accessi- ble to residents and guarding against rising rents and prop- erty prices. "Victoria must remain ac- cessible and within reach of locals, and we must make sure locals aren't pushed out of Vic- toria because of high rent or high property prices," he says. Ultimately, Azzopardi says success will depend on deliv- ering the ambitious bid book, involving communities across Gozo and ensuring the title brings lasting benefits to the island. And with the budget ap- proaching, Azzopardi empha- sises that the government has committed itself to structural and artistic projects outlined in the bid book. "If Victoria succeeds, it will help demonstrate that we can deliver another successful Eu- ropean Capital of Culture in the future," he says. Victoria will be the European Capital of Culture in 2031, but what does this mean for the Gozo's main town in the lead-up to the title, and what will it mean afterwards? Laura Calleja sits down with Victoria Mayor Brian Azzopardi to discuss how realistic the bid book is and the legacy he hopes to leave beyond 2031