It is the European Capital of Culture 2018 and one of the must-see destinations of the new year. Valletta, in the Maltese archipelago, is a Mediterranean gem waiting to be explored — even in winter — through a packed programme of cultural events.
Valletta, the Maltese capital known as Il-Belt Valletta in the language of the archipelago, has been declared the European Capital of Culture 2018, and for the occasion not only the city but the entire small nation is preparing for the event with events and initiatives. Malta and its islands will be in celebratory mode to introduce tourists to this Mediterranean gem, which has a long history of traditions, art and culture. The perfect time to visit a paradise where the sun always shines.
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Malta is an archipelago situated in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, of which only the three largest islands — Malta — the main one, where Valletta is located — Gozo and Comino — are inhabited. It has a fantastic climate, and even in winter temperatures almost never drop below 16 degrees. This is why any time is a good time to visit, but now that the year of the European Capital of Culture is approaching, it will be more beautiful than ever.
Furthermore, Lonely Planet, the well-known travel guide publisher, recently announced its must-see destinations for the coming year — the most talked-about and sought-after among travel enthusiasts — and after Valletta was named among the top 10 cities in 2015, Malta once again distinguishes itself with a new achievement on the international tourism stage, earning a place in the Best in Travel destinations ranking for 2018. The choice fell on the archipelago certainly for its long, millennia-old history, but above all for the particular buzz surrounding Valletta's designation as European Capital of Culture. Lonely Planet indeed invites visitors to get ready "to enjoy baroque art festivals, pop music and international cinema, theatrical performances, as well as a laid-back lifestyle shaped by the proximity to the sea and beaches and a climate that offers more than 300 sunny days a year".
A recognition that seems to highlight that Malta is not only a destination for those who love the sea and unspoilt nature, but a country with a rich and ancient history waiting to be discovered. Accompanying visitors is the cultural programme devised for 2018, and the four themes around which it is built are intended to underscore the country's multifaceted appeal: generations, itineraries, cities and islands.
The cultural programme drawn up for the opening week of Valletta as European Capital of Culture 2018 will be centred primarily on the city but will also venture into other towns and villages on the island of Malta as well as Gozo. The first great celebration of the year will take place from 14 to 21 January, during which Valletta expects to welcome large crowds arriving in Malta from all over the world to attend the many events that, through music and entertainment, street artists and performers, will bring the capital's streets to life.
The official inauguration day is set for 20 January, when performances will alternate across four of the capital's main squares in a programme entitled Erba 'Pjazez. Triton Square will host the eagerly awaited show by Catalan group La Fura dels Baus, which will present an acrobatic choreography highlighting the newly restored Triton Fountain. The show will involve a group of local artists, totalling 60 performers who, in the company's characteristic style, will deliver an eccentric, innovative performance whose rhythm and development will transgress the conventional boundary separating the actor from the spectator — the latter might even find themselves personally drawn into the performance.
St George's Square will instead play host to a contemporary dance performance by the company ŻfinMalta: the choreography by Paola Mangiola will be set to original music by composer Cyprian Cassar, giving rise to a show in which the dancers will interact with video projections (created by Blaze animation) and lighting effects (by Mad about video).
In St John's Square, on the steps of the atrium of St John's Co-Cathedral, a choir directed by Pamela Bezzina will perform the premiere of a choral symphony. The music was composed by Elton Zarb, while the text was written by Julian Farrugia. The performance will be accompanied by video-art projections that will illuminate the façade of one of Malta's most celebrated monuments.
An interactive, three-dimensional projection is finally planned on the façade of the celebrated Auberge de Castille, with musical elements and special effects that in 20 minutes will narrate Malta's past and imagine its future.
Described as the first complete example of high baroque in the world, the cathedral bears witness to the talent of Maltese military architect Girolamo Cassaro and of Mattia Preti. The latter created the intricate designs on the stone walls and painted the vaulted ceiling and the side altars with scenes from the life of St John. But this church is famous above all for housing one of the most beautiful and celebrated works of art in the world: The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio.
The cathedral was a sacred place for the Knights of St John; indeed, many sons of noble European families from the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries are buried here. Their intricate tombstones set in marble form a magnificently crafted floor. It is also the resting place of Valletta's founder, Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Vallette. His tomb lies in the crypt — a quiet sanctuary and a place of contemplation, far from the bustling streets outside.
It is undoubtedly the most evocative and original festival on the main island: every year in October, Birgu — also known as Vittoriosa and renowned for having given shelter to the Knights of Malta — welcomes visitors who wish to experience and discover the beauty and historical and architectural traditions of this ancient fishing village.
Visitors can stroll through the streets of the historic centre, enter the homes of residents who open their doors for the occasion, enjoy open-air music performances and sample local street food — all by candlelight, exclusively.
The highlight and truly unique moment of the event is the magical spectacle of over 20,000 candles lit in the night: at sunset, all the electric lights in the village are switched off to make way for the enchanting, atmospheric glow of lanterns and candles, lending a romantic, timeless quality to the scene. A village that becomes magical by the light of a flame.