On the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Cultural Agency for Valletta, the Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici saluted the work carried out as part of the cultural legacy of -The Valletta 2018 Foundation and stressed that thanks to culture we have seen and are continuing to see a cultural, social and economic regeneration of Valletta.
Since its establishment five years ago, the Cultural Agency for Valletta has won several prestigious honors both for its programs and for the Valletta Design Cluster, a building from the time of the Knights known as the Old Slaughterhouse, which won the Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning Awards and the Premio Concorso City Brand and Tourism Landscape Award from Paysage Topscape, as well as several other honors.
Among the activities organized by the Agency are the Valletta Green Festival, the Valletta Pageant of the Seas, Opera in the Capital, the Valletta Local Food Festival, the Christmas in the Capital program and the National Event of ‘ New Year’s Eve.
The Chairman of the Cultural Agency for Valletta Jason Micallef mentioned how the Agency has a crucial role in the regeneration of Valletta. He claimed that through the events organized by the Agency it continues to give life to the capital city of our country.
During the news conference, a look was also given at the upcoming activities as part of the cultural program of the Agency.
The Agency’s CEO, Catherine Tabone, explained how the Agency’s cultural program ranges from visual art exhibitions, large and medium-sized concerts and family events, as well as programs aimed at a younger audience and workshops . “All this builds on various cultural collaborations both international and local that the Agency has cultivated over the years,” explained Ms Tabone.
On the occasion of maltabiennale.art 2024, the Agency will commemorate Ray Mahoney, a giant in Maltese music and poetry, through a concert that will be staged on April 28.
This year also marks the 10th edition of the Valletta Green Festival, during which St. George Square will be transformed into a beautiful garden between the 3rd and the 12th of May.
On June 22, the Valletta Pageant of the Seas returns for the fifth time, an event that takes place every two years in Port il-Kbir. This free event is attended by thousands of people so that they can closely follow this show that involves activities on the sea and fireworks of the highest level.
On August 30, in St George Square, Opera in the Capital will be staged again with the participation of Maltese tenors and singers of international fame.
Between the 17th and 19th of October, the Valletta Local Food Festival will be returning for the third consecutive time – an event that brings together local chefs and artisans who offer the public a Maltese culinary feast, with cooking and valuable knowledge about the preparation of renowned dishes such as quarezimal, Vallettani, Village Biscuits, widow’s soup and other dishes, all made with fresh ingredients of local origin.
In December, there is no shortage of Christmas activities as well as the popular celebrations that will once again be staged free of charge on New Year’s Eve in St. George Square.
For more information about the Cultural Agency for Valletta and its Cultural Program visit vca.gov.mt/mt/events and the Agency’s Facebook page.
