The Institute of Tourism Travel and Culture at the University of Malta recently held a panel discussion on Valletta 18 (V18) – the hosting of Valletta as the European Capital of Culture in 2018.
The panel consisted of Dr Nancy Stevenson and Dr Andrew Smith from the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at the University of Westminster, Dr Nadia Theuma, from the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture at the University of Malta, Mr Caldon Mercieca, from the Culture and Audio-Visual Unit at the Ministry for Tourism and Dr Karsten Xuereb from the Valletta 2018 Foundation.
The discussion was chaired by Mr John Ebejer from the Institute and was attended by an audience of over 100 participants.
The panel discussion started with brief interventions from each of the panel participants who raised various issues that addressed what they felt should be the overall strategic considerations and needs for V18. Dr Theuma focussed on the need to consider event legacies; Dr Stevenson explored in some depth the need to consider local vis-a-vis ‘glocal’ foci, using legacies from the London Olympiad. The need to avoid regeneration clichés was discussed by Dr Smith, whilst Dr Xuereb spoke of the need to explore ‘cultural diplomacy’ identity and discovery. Mr Mercieca talked of the need to consider concepts of community engagement and inclusivity.
A lively panel and audience debate ensued exploring some of these issues in more depth and raising further issues associated with linking V18 with a long term urban regeneration legacy, ensuring that V18 encompasses the whole of the Maltese islands, improving connectivity between organisations and localities and in essence ensuring a legacy of inspiring cross cultural creativity.
In conclusion the panel summarised their aspirations and challenges for the Maltese Government and organisers of V18. In general terms these accepted the notion that V18 is indeed a positive phenomena for Malta, Valletta and in turn tourism development.
For V18 to have a positive impact on tourism, it needs to be seen as part of a holistic tourism strategy for Malta and not as a stand-alone initiative. Moreover, the panel set an agenda of key aspirations that should aim to ensure that V18 delivers a truly inclusive event that celebrates the multifaceted nature of Malta, its diverse cultures and communities, makes progress on building cultural capacity and cultural identity and ultimately ensures that the legacy of V18 delivers a truly European Capital City – an international city that meets both international and local aspirations.
The Institute of Tourism Travel and Culture said it would like to thank all participants and the audience for a lively, engaging and thought provoking debate.