A National Cultural Policy is key to the European Capital of Culture and, as you wrote (‘Culture Pundits Give Draft Policy the Cold Shoulder’, February 10), the draft refers to this in its Executive Summary stating that it will set in motion a long term vision leading to a new cultural era when Malta celebrates the European Capital of Culture in 2018.
I would add to this that the success or otherwise of such vision will be measured by the sustainable legacy of the project after the year of the event itself.
You will note the reference to Malta – not Valletta – hosting the European Capital of Culture. Your article refers a number of times to Valletta being the Capital of Culture, references you said were made by the Minister and by some of the speakers. This needs some clarification.
In accordance with a decision taken by the European Parliament and Council in 2006, the Member States of the European Union were asked to host the European Capital of Culture event in turn between 2007 and 2019.
The chronological order was decided by common agreement with the Member States; each year, two cities, each in a different Member State, may hold the title. The title therefore applies to a city, but, if it wishes, the city may include the surrounding region in its programme. For example, Luxembourg 2007 included its Greater Region and Essen this year includes the Ruhr region.
In 2018, Malta will be able to host a European Capital of Culture alongside The Netherlands. The Inter Ministerial Commission for the European Capital of Culture will therefore be co-ordinating the issuing of a call for applications which will be addressed to the cities and localities of Malta who wish to apply for the title of European Capital of Culture 2018’.
David Felice,
Chairman, European Capital of Culture (Malta) Committee
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
