Victoria, Gozo, has been recommended as the European Capital of Culture for 2031 in Malta, following the final selection meeting held today in Valletta.

This marks a significant milestone in Malta’s cultural journey, coming eight years after Valletta held the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018.

The announcement was made at the Valletta Design Cluster, following presentations delivered by the ‘Victoria 2031 Gozo’ team to the European panel.

The event was attended by the Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta, Maria Elena Despott; the Minister for the Arts, Culture and National Heritage, Malcolm Paul Agius Galea; the Minister for Gozo, Clint Camilleri; and the Chairman and CEO of the Valletta Cultural Agency, Jason Micallef and Catherine Tabone, respectively.

The 2031 European Capital of Culture programme will place Victoria, Gozo, at the heart of a year-long schedule of cultural activities, bringing together artists, cultural organisations, communities, and partners from Malta and across Europe.

Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri stated, “the selection of Victoria as the European Capital of Culture for 2031 is a tremendous opportunity to place Gozitan culture, traditions, artists, and talent at the heart of European attention. Now begins the most crucial part of the journey: transforming the vision into concrete action and ensuring that the benefits of Victoria 2031 continue to be felt long after 2031. The ultimate success lies in having the youth, artists, and all the people of Gozo play a leading role in this project. Congratulations to everyone who worked towards this achievement. Victoria 2031 can mark a beautiful new chapter for Gozitan culture and serve as an opportunity for Gozo to continue sharing its identity and history with Europe and the world.”

The Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage, Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, said, “the European Capital of Culture is far more than just a title for a single year. It is an opportunity to invest in people, artists, communities, and our country’s cultural future. Our ambition is for this journey to leave a lasting legacy, creating more opportunities for the cultural sector, fostering stronger communities, and ensuring a Maltese and Gozitan voice that is increasingly present on the European cultural stage. As a Government, we are committed to supporting this journey towards 2031 and ensuring that Victoria 2031 leaves a cultural impact that will be felt for generations to come.”

The final selection was made following a process that began with the submission of applications by Maltese cities. Victoria (Gozo) was selected to advance from the initial phase of the European Capital of Culture 2031 selection process -held in November 2025 – and subsequently developed its final proposal for consideration by the panel of experts appointed by the European Commission.

The European Capital of Culture initiative aims to highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures and the shared cultural values ??that unite Europeans, while strengthening the contribution of culture to the long-term development of cities and their communities.

The title of European Capital of Culture is one of the European Union’s flagship cultural initiatives. Since its inception in 1985, this initiative has enabled cities across Europe to showcase their cultural diversity, develop European partnerships, broaden cultural participation, and use culture as a driver for long-term social, economic, and urban development.

Photo: DOI

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