VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Victoria has been recommended as one of two European Capitals of Culture for 2031 by an independent panel of experts, with the second city, from Spain, due to be announced in December.
The European Capital of Culture programme was established in 1985 on the initiative of then-Greek culture minister Melina Mercouri, with Athens becoming the first title-holder.
The programme was later expanded from one city annually to two, following EU enlargement, while cities from EU candidate countries now participate every third year.
Victoria will become the second Maltese city to hold the title, following Valletta, which shared the honour with Leeuwarden in the Netherlands in 2018.
The Spanish city to join Victoria in 2031 will be selected from four finalists: Cáceres, Granada, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Oviedo.
Victoria was one of two Maltese contenders for the title. Birgu, the other candidate, failed to progress beyond the pre-selection stage last year.
Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef welcomed Victoria’s selection, highlighting its “Island of Islands” theme and its focus on Gozo’s communities, landscapes and cultural practices.
The bid is structured around three curatorial themes — Coast, Salt and Waves — and addresses both Gozo’s cultural heritage and challenges facing island communities, including the ability of young people to remain and build their future there.
As Victoria prepares for 2031, its challenge will be to translate the European Capital of Culture title into a lasting cultural legacy while preserving the character and interests of Gozo’s communities.
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