Valletta 2018 artistic director Mario Philip Azzopardi has caused confusion after apparently revealing that he is not the sole artistic director for Malta’s upcoming stint as European Capital of Culture.

Speaking during a panel discussion on Monday at an Arts Council Malta strategy conference, Mr Azzopardi said he was merely one of a number of artistic directors, each responsible for their own events.

Mr Azzopardi also said that he was responsible for just “five or six events” under the auspices of V18. The statement immediately raised concerns among prominent members of the artistic community, who questioned whether this was the reveal of a new structure within the V18 organisational set-up.

Mr Azzopardi, who was appointed in November 2014, is still listed on the V18 website as artistic director and no mention has ever been made of anyone else occupying an equivalent role. When contacted, the veteran theatre and film director confirmed that a number of artistic directors were in place but added that, although they had their own autonomy, all other artistic directors reported to him directly.

Mr Azzopardi refused to reveal the names of the other artistic directors, or the projects for which they were responsible, and said questions on the matter should be directed to the V18 Foundation. He clarified, however, there had been no change in his own role or the overall organisational structure.

“These events take so much money and time that it is impossible for me to be directly responsible for everything that happens,” he said. “Other people have therefore taken charge of other events, remaining in constant communication with me.”

He insisted, however, that his original comments had been misinterpreted and that his intention had been to make clear that he could not “take all the accolades for the great work”.

When asked which events he was personally responsible for, Mr Azzopardi cited the official opening ceremony and a six-hour show, Pageant of the Seas, taking place in the Grand Harbour next year.

He said he was reluctant to name others so as not to detract from official announcements in the coming months.