Carnival in Valletta, Malta

 

Holding the esteemed title of the European City of Culture for 2018, Valletta oozes cultural heritage, elegance and nobility.

On the 13th of October 2012, Valletta was announced as The European City of Culture for 2018. This prestigious title reflects the incredibly rich cultural heritage of this Baroque masterpiece. 

The fortified city, built by Jean Parisot de la Vallette, a Grand Master of the Knights of St John, is dense with architectural and artistic examples of a storied past. But the honour bestowed on Valletta is more than an acknowledgement of its well preserved past – Valletta is a living city with a vibrancy all its own. A brimming café culture, art installations and exhibits, open squares, and a thriving market, all contribute to making Valletta much more than a living museum.
 
The city is changing constantly, and nowhere is this clearer than the upgrading of Valletta’s entrance. This monumental project combines a redesigning of the city’s entrance gate with the building of a new, modern parliament. The work also includes the transformation of a historic theatre that has been abandoned since its devastation in World War Two, and the creation of a new square: Piazza de Valette.

The Valletta 2018 Foundation was set up to pilot Malta’s successful bid, and it is this organisation that has created the ambitious vision for Valletta in 2018. The vision is based on four thematic elements: Generations, Routes, Cities and Islands. During 2018, Valletta will be organising a number of events that will serve as inspiration to other cities based on these elements.

Visit http://www.valletta2018.org for more information on the bid as well as events and activities being organised.

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