A bid book entitled "Imagine 18" was presented today to Minister Mario de Marco as the city of Valletta's application to become the European Capital of Culture in 2018.

Minister de Marco said that it is an honour for Malta that Valletta has reached the final stages for the award of this prestigious title. The bid book contains the dreams of a vast number of individuals and entities from different sectors, dreams that will be turned to realities by 2018, the Minister held.

Dr De Marco stated that it is the aim of the government to boost the island's cultural infrastructure which for various reasons could have been put on a back burner. The government will continue to help local artists reach new heights with more investment in youths and children and the promotion of a more popular culture as culture is not a gift for only certain sectors of the community.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism Peter Portelli explained how Artistic Director Wayne Marshall, together with a team of artists, was entrusted with the putting together of the bid book following discussions with over 250 individuals and entities.

Valletta's bid rests on four main pillars: Generations, Cities, islands and Routes, each of which represents a different facet of Malta.

Coryse Borg and Paul Portelli explained in brief five of the 60 projects included in the bid book, stating that the reaching of the final stage is a very important benchmark for Valletta in turning the dream of being a European Capital of Culture into reality. This can be achieved by linking together various sectors and by enhancing the marriage of tradition to modernism, Paul Portelli said.

Valletta Mayor Alexiei Dingli expressed his satisfaction at the fact that years of work have culminated in the compilation of the bid book, which contains the dream, ideas and creativity of different aspects of local culture, dreams and aspirations that stand a chance to materialise when Valletta is awarded the European Capital of Culture for 2018.

To read a brief overview of the bid book, click here: http://www.di-ve.com/sites/default/files/Valletta%202018%20-%20The%20Bid....