A four-year agreement between Malta and China will see the Asian superpower play a major role in local cultural programmes, according to Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera.
Addressing a press conference on his return from meetings in the Far East, Dr Herrera said the former communist country had a lot to offer the island’s cultural sector.
“China is not the same country it was 20 years ago. We will be collaborating with the country for some exciting projects.
“We want to put Maltese culture on the cutting edge of innovation,” he said.
In Beijing last week, Dr Herrera signed an agreement that will see Chinese investment in cultural exchanges, preservation and conservation, audiovisual productions, local council projects and initiatives coordinated by the foundation.
Among the new incentives will be a Chinese documentary about the island to be aired on the country’s State television.
This programme, he said, would not only showcase Maltese culture but also tap into a relatively unexplored market.
“China generates some 90 million tourists every year. Something would be amiss if we didn’t try to attract some to visit Malta.”
Other investments include a series of exchanges for prospective artists and those interested in the creativity industry, exchanges between cultural entities such as the national orchestras and the setting up of a museum in the defunct powerhouse along the Valletta waterfront.
14,000 in V-18 events
Some 14,000 people were directly involved in projects organised by the Valletta 2018 Foundation last year, foundation chairman Jason Micallef said yesterday.
Addressing a press conference in the Valletta Fortification Centre, Mr Micallef also revealed details of this year’s programme, which includes a revamped Malta Fashion Week and a Valletta Green Consciousness Festival. V-18 has teamed up with the Malta Football Association to organise part of the Uefa under-17 football tournament.
“This event will be broadcast on major broadcasting agencies and even be attracting Uefa president Michel Platini.”
Valletta will share the title of European Capital of Culture with the Dutch city of Leeuwarden in 2018.