A splendid Cottonera welcome to the new year

Today, the Cottonera, made up of the three cities of Birgu, Bormla and Senglea and including the picturesque village of Kalkara, is enjoying an economic and social revival thanks mainly to the success of the tourism industry. It is therefore no surprise how, over the years, the annual End-of-Year Concert in the Dock No.1 area has become a popular attraction.

This year’s concert, again undertaken by the Fondazzjoni Kottonera, is aimed at reliving the celebration, the joy and the sense of unity that these peaceful last days of the year provide to the thousands of Maltese and visitors who are expected to attend. The Fondazzjoni Kottonera is committed to providing a top-notch activity to help all those who attend to give a warm send-off to the old year while cheerfully welcoming the new one.

The concert programme includes the participation of the popular group Kantera and fellow artists Matthew James and Ira Losco, with the presentation prowess of Ray Calleja and Dorianne Mamo. At the stroke of midnight, the music gives way to a spectacular fireworks and drones display in the wondrous skies of the Three Cities.

During the official announcement of this year’s concert, the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, said: “The concert has established itself on the Maltese cultural calendar, with thousands of people attending to join in the nostalgia and aspirations that it provides to the various generations in attendance.”

The Parliamentary Secretary also spoke on the ever-growing potential of the Cottonera, with the concert, “Providing a unique opportunity for people from all parts of the Island to welcome 2026 against the beautiful and impressive background of its historic bastions and fortifications.” She referred to the Government’s commitment “to supporting such activities that help enhance the quality of life for all residents.”

During the same launch of the End-of-Year Concert programme, the chairman of the Fondazzjoni Kottonera, Joe Mizzi, said whole weeks of dedicated work by the Foundation’s employees have ensured that the attending public will be entertained with a top-quality spectacle that will remain as a memory to cherish.”

The upkeep and maintenance of major projects

Major infrastructural projects undertaken over the years by the Central Government in the various villages and towns of the Maltese Islands have seen the emergence of a cleaner, more pleasant, and resident-friendly urban environment. To help enjoy, upkeep and maintain these projects, the Central Government has announced the provision of additional funds as part of the Local Government Division’s successful scheme.

This was announced recently by the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, and the Director General of the Local Government Division, Emile Vassallo. The scheme forms part of a number of other schemes that see additional funding provided to Local Councils. It was purposely set up to ensure that the Councils have the necessary means to upkeep and maintain those areas which their residents enjoy today.

The Parliamentary Secretary said the scheme was originally created when it was realised that some of the implemented projects had sadly fallen into neglect due to lack of funds necessary for regular maintenance by the Councils. She added: “With this new initiative we are being proactive in ensuring that the investment made into these projects is safeguarded and not one of them is left in a state of neglect. The whole idea is for Local Councils to be aligned with Malta Vision 2050 by sustaining their upkeep and maintenance of open spaces, gardens, recreative centres, playing fields, and other public spaces as part of both the embellishment of their localities and the security of their residents.

Now in its seventh year, the scheme has seen several local Councils benefitting from the funds as the development of open spaces in Malta and Gozo continues at a steady pace. The Director General of the Local Government Division, Emile Vassallo, explained how “the scheme ascertains that major projects carried out are preserved and kept in a pristine condition. The quarter of a million euro investment is intended for those Local Councils which have had major projects implemented in their localities and then entrusted with their upkeep.

The additional funds will go towards maintenance work on culverts, planting of new trees, the installation of public benches, open zones for physical activity, children’s playing fields, and the introduction of more street lighting. The localities that will benefit from these funds are Mosta, Birkirkara, Ħal Għargħur, Ħal Lija, Gudja, Marsaxlokk, Paola, l-Imqabba, and Nadur, Xagħra and Żebbuġ in Gozo.