Notte Bianca - an annual artistic success

The annual celebration of Valletta's nightly splendour Notte Bianca yesterday registered another huge success as over 70,000 people flocked to the capital.

A national orchestra concert with a difference, a massive pigeon installation and music echoing all around the capital were some of the highlights of this year's Notte Bianca.

"Notte Bianca 2013 managed to break its own record and attract more than 70,000 visitors to Valletta," said parliamentary secretary for culture and local government Jose' Herrera. This was the first edition of Notte Bianca since Valletta was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018.Events kicked off at 6pm with an In Guardia parade, while a 2am breakfast at the Casino Maltese wrapped the event.

With over 1,000 participants and over 100 events - from street and performing arts to visual arts and new media, from live music to literature, food and fairs - this year's Notte Bianca retained some of the features, which make it so popular in past editions while introducing fresh concepts.

This year's festival encouraged collaborations across generations and sectors, including different generations of artists, craftsmen, entertainers and cultural practitioners. A traditional elevated stage or 'planċier' was built in St Lucy Street for the festival's live classical, opera and brass band music programme. Other new features included curated music stages, requiring bands to play original music grouped by genre - as well as the reinvention of a number of locations.

Accompanied by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts chairman Albert Marshall and V.18 chairman Jason Micallef, Dr Herrera called on President George Abela and the group walked through a number of activities and events in various areas of the capital.

Dr Herrera said the decision to include a wide spectrum of artists from all walks of life and focus the programme on particular themes has proved to be successful. "Notte Bianca is a living example of how different art forms can be used in order to generate income and interest in the cultural and creative industries", he said.