
Valletta was unanimously named European
Capital of Culture (ECoC) for 2018 by a jury of experts, following a
presentation by the Valletta 2018 Foundation on October 12. The ECoC jury
chairman Manfred Gaulhofer said that the jury was convinced that Valletta had
the will, motivation and the required ambition to receive the title. Minister
for Tourism, Culture and the Environment Mario de Marco, said that this is very
positive news for the cultural and artistic sectors in Malta. The title of ECoC
can lead to the opening of numerous opportunities in the sectors of the arts
and culture in Malta. The EU Council will officially declare Valletta as the
title holder for 2018 in May of next year.