Applications out for Maltese towns to host 2018 European capital for culture

Malta has been selected as one of two countries that will host the European capital for culture in 2018.

Applications for localities and regions to host the capital city will open tomorrow. Parliamentary Secretary for tourism and culture Mario de Marco said this would be an opportunity for Malta to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of cultural infrastructure.

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension.

Preparing a European Capital of Culture can be an opportunity for the city to generate considerable cultural, social and economic benefits and it can help foster urban regeneration, change the city's image and raise its visibility and profile on an international scale.

“It’s not a government project, but a locality project, so it will be up to localities to come up with events,” de Marco said.

De Marco said the cultural sector was a contributor to the Maltese economy, directly employing some 9,000 workers.