Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547166
The following has been edited for brevity and clarity. The full interview can be found on maltatoday.com.mt as well as our Facebook and Spotify pages. PHOTOS: JAMES BIANCHI / MALTA TODAY 7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 OCTOBER 2026 INTERVIEW What does securing the European Capital of Culture 2031 title mean for Victoria and Gozo? And what do you think set Gozo's bid apart from other candidates? Getting the title for Victoria as the European Capital of Culture for 2031 is massive. As a mayor, I don't think I can do anything better than this. It means a lot. It's pride, first of all, that a small city in a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean, on the periphery of the EU, has been chosen to be its European Capital of Culture for 2031. When you think that big cities like Paris, Glasgow, Porto, Prague have enjoyed the title in other years… What was it like on the day of the announcement? It was a lot of emotions… pride obviously. But also, satisfaction and relief, because the bid is not only Victoria… but also the region of Gozo. So, if I had to tell you the first emotion that I felt; it was relief. Relief that we succeeded to get this title for the city and the island. Beyond the events and celebrations planned for 2031, what tangible changes do you hope this project will bring to Victoria and what will the residents be able to point to as its lasting legacy? During the bid, the jury emphasised that there must be a legacy beyond 2031. It has to create a ripple effect that starts now, culminates in 2031 and continues to be felt afterwards. Economically, we hope the exposure, advertising and projects will help improve the quality of tourism in Gozo. We want to encourage more visitors to stay overnight and choose Gozo specifically, rather than coming to Malta and treating Gozo as an afterthought. On the cultural side, it is important to have a dedicated space for concerts and other cultural activities. We are blessed to have three theatres in Victoria, but they are quite large. We would like a smaller venue where small-scale productions and concerts can take place, perhaps with a grand piano, giving artists a space to perform beyond the scale of our opera houses. Are there any other projects that maybe you can expand on? We have projects coming like the Victoria Parks. It's near the bus terminal. We have a project together with the ministry, which has €4.5 million in EU funds and which will be massive for the council. Another project, which hopefully will see the light of day, is to have an underground parking in St Augustine Square, which will create an open space on the surface in one of the most beautiful areas in Victoria. It will be a gamechanger. Then there is the Qbajjar battery, which will be restored. In 2018, Valletta held the title, are there lessons that Victoria can learn from that experience? Yes, we are lucky that we have Valletta 18 as an example. There are a lot of good things to emulate, but also things we think that should be addressed, to avoid what happened in Valletta from happening in Victoria. Victoria must remain accessible and within reach of locals, and we must make sure locals aren't pushed out of Victoria because of high rent or high property prices. We have to be aware of gentrification. I don't think we'll have the pressures that Valletta faced and is currently facing in this regard. What would you say to Gozitans, who are a bit apprehensive and just think this is going to make our lives harder? How are you going to rope them into it so they feel like they're part of it? The bid is not only Victoria; the bid is Victoria and the Gozo region that came together and created a foundation. The artistic team met people from all walks of life, both in Victoria and in other localities across Gozo, to ensure that every locality has a part to play in this initiative. As I've always said, one of my personal aims is to ensure that this title is not just for Victoria. Given its importance to Gozo, Victoria has a duty to bring all the other localities on board and share this very important title with the whole island. The budget is up very soon. Are you expecting to see specific funding in the budget for Victoria 2031 and maybe subsequent budgets, up to 2031? Many think that the EU will pour millions of euros into a city holding this title. The EU awards €1.5 million, often shared between the two European Capitals of Culture for that year. The title will give local organisations and NGOs an advantage when applying for EU funds, while the publicity generated by the government and the EU is expected to boost Malta's, Gozo's and Victoria's economies… The government has committed itself to a number of projects, be it structurally or artistically. So yes, I expect it [to be the budget] because it's committed in the bid book. Can you explain to our readers, how much of the bid book has to be completed? We will ultimately be assessed on what we deliver and whether the title is a success. It is important that we deliver on our commitments and leave a lasting legacy, proving that Victoria has not only won the title but has made the most of it. This is now the foundation's responsibility. Once legally established, it will recruit around 40 to 50 qualified professionals to ensure the projects outlined in the bid book are implemented as effectively as possible. Let's just say it's 2031 right now and the year has been completed. For you, what would it be to say this was a success? Success will mean delivering what is promised in the bid book, which the jury acknowledged is very ambitious. Success will also be measured by public involvement, the legacy left after 2031, and whether life in Victoria and Gozo has improved. As long as the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, I believe the title will have been a success. When we were driving up, we saw the museum, which has been in the works for many years. And obvi- ously, the government can promise an extra boat. They can promise a lot of things. How realistic do you think the bid book is? Winning the title has helped accelerate ongoing works in Victoria, with significant progress made over the past month. Other projects, including the playing field, which is in its final stages, are also progressing. Work on Victoria Parks is expected to begin soon, with the aim of completing the projects by 2031. If Victoria succeeds, it will help demonstrate that we can deliver another successful European Capital of Culture in the future.