The process of initial submissions is being led by the Valletta Cultural Agency which was established as a legacy of the Valletta 2018 Foundation. Part of the Agency’s remit, as set out by LN 427 of 2018 is: “to coordinate the bidding process for the next European Capital of Culture title for the Maltese Islands”.

Details have been published here. Application forms must be submitted to Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo. by not later than the 31st March 2021.

The European Capital of Culture title may be granted to any city who ap-plies, as long as criteria are satisfied, none of which are related to a city’s size or geographic location.

Cities that successfully implement this ambitious project are the ones that have the human, physical (in terms of infrastructure) and financial capaci-ty to carry out this ambitious project; lead and represent its region whilst reaching out beyond its borders to reach the whole of Malta and Gozo; create an innovative and forward-looking programme that may include, but cannot be limited to, its existing cultural offer; focus their work on its citi-zens and their connection with culture and Europe, rather than on tourism and create their own version of the ECoC concept that is uniquely reflec-tive of the city whilst ensuring that art, culture and the European dimen-sion are at its core.