Valletta dazzles thousands at opening of European Capital of Culture

The opening ceremony was held yesterday for Valletta 2018 European Capital of Culture.

Thousands of people visited the capital to watch a spectacular day and night of events held throughout the streets and main squares of the city.
The Rise of the Tritons was a large-scale show by the theatrical group La Fura dels Baus, directed by Pep Gatell, which celebrated the newly-restored Triton Fountain with breath-taking aerobatic choreography, puppetry, lighting, and soundscape.
St John’s Co-Cathedral steps saw a spectacular performance by a choir made up of more than a hundred singers, led by Pamela Bezzina.

Elfejn u Tmintax was accompanied by innovative lighting effects by Mad About Video, which illuminated the façade of the centuries old building.
Over this coming year there are more than 140 projects and 400 events included in the programme, organised around three main themes: `Island Stories,’ `Future Baroque’ and `Voyages.’
Around 1,000 local and international artists, curators, performers, workshop leaders, writers, designers, choirs and film-makers will be involved, and celebrations will continue throughout the year across the islands of Malta and Gozo.
The Government has said 200 out of the 400 events will take places outside Valletta, 28 of which will be held in Gozo during Valletta 2018.Photographs by Alain Salvary