Victoria, Gozo – April 9, 2024 – The Gozo Regional Council proudly announces the official registration of the Victoria 2031 Foundation, marking a significant milestone in Gozo’s cultural development. Completed on April 3, 2024, this crucial step enables the foundation to commence its mission to spearhead Gozo’s bid for the prestigious title of European City of Culture 2031.
Formed with the vision of harnessing Gozo’s rich cultural tapestry, the VICTORIA 2031 FOUNDATION is committed to creating a bid that reflects the aspirations and values of the entire community. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, the foundation will engage stakeholders, organizations, and the public through participatory processes and extensive research.
“We are thrilled to announce the registration of the VICTORIA 2031 FOUNDATION, a pivotal moment in Gozo’s cultural journey towards the European Capital of Culture 2031” said Dr. Samuel Azzopardi, President of the Gozo Region. “Our mission is to showcase the vibrant heritage of Gozo while fostering unity and creativity within our community.”
The foundation boasts a distinguished panel of members, including esteemed representatives from various sectors:
Supervisory Council:
- Mr John Borg, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Gozo and Planning
- Ms Rita Mifsud Attard, Executive Secretary to the Gozo Regional Council
- Ms Miriam Attard, Executive Secretary to the Victoria Local Council
- Mr John Buttigieg, Accountant
Governors:
- Dr Samuel Azzopardi (Chairman/Founder), President of the Gozo Regional Council
- Mayor Josef Schembri (Vice-chairman Founder), Mayor of Rabat Citta’ Victoria Local Council
- Dr Maria Frendo
- Mr Daniel Borg, CEO of the Gozo Business Chamber
- Mr Alfred Camilleri
- Mr Stephen Cini
- Mr Charlie Hili
Photo: Darren Cassar
The foundation’s primary objective is to craft a compelling bid book, showcasing Gozo’s cultural heritage, creativity, and potential. The first draft of the bid book is scheduled for submission in October 2024, marking the commencement of its evaluation process. Gozo will compete with Birgu, one of Malta’s three cities, in this prestigious endeavour.
The European Capitals of Culture initiative, established in 1985, aims to celebrate the richness and diversity of European cultures while fostering city development and international cooperation. Over 60 cities across the European Union and beyond have been awarded this esteemed title, leading to significant cultural, social, and economic benefits.
As Gozo embarks on this transformative journey, the VICTORIA 2031 FOUNDATION invites all stakeholders and community members to participate actively and contribute to shaping a vibrant cultural future for the island.
Information about the European Capitals of Culture (European Commission, 2024)
An initiative putting culture at the heart of European cities with EU support for a yearlong celebration of art and culture.
The European Capitals of Culture (ECOC) initiative is designed to:
- Highlight the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe
- Celebrate the cultural features Europeans share
- Increase European citizens’ sense of belonging to a common cultural area
- Foster the contribution of culture to the development of cities
In addition to this, experience has shown that the event is an excellent opportunity for:
- Regenerating cities
- Raising the international profile of cities
- Enhancing the image of cities in the eyes of their own inhabitants
- Breathing new life into a city’s culture
- Boosting tourism
The initiative was developed in 1985 and has, to date, been awarded to more than 60 cities across the European Union (EU) and beyond.
More information on the European Capital of Culture initiative: https://culture.ec.europa.eu/policies/culture-in-cities-and-regions/european-capitals-of-culture
Photo: David Agius
Verżjoni bil-Malti:
IL-FONDAZZJONI VICTORIA 2031 uffiċjalment rreġistrata, biex tmexxi l-offerta ta’ Għawdex għall-Belt Ewropea tal-Kultura 2031
Ir-Rabat, Għawdex – 9 ta’ April 2024 – Il-Kunsill Reġjonali ta’ Għawdex bi pjaċir iħabbar ir-reġistrazzjoni uffiċjali tal-Fondazzjoni Victoria 2031, li huwa pass importanti fl-iżvilupp kulturali ta’ Għawdex. Tali reġistrazzjoni saret fit-3 ta’ April, 2024, u dan kien pass kruċjali li jippermetti lill-fondazzjoni tibda l-missjoni tagħha sabiex tmexxi l-offerta ta’ Għawdex għat-titlu prestiġjuż ta’ Belt Ewropea tal-Kultura 2031.
Iffurmata bil-viżjoni sabiex tesponi il-kultura rikka u vibranti ta’ Għawdex, il-Fondazzjoni Victoria 2031 hija impenjata li toħloq offerta li tirrifletti l-aspirazzjonijiet u l-valuri tal-komunità kollha. Filwaqt li tirrikonoxxi l-importanza tal-inklussività, il-Fondazzjoni se timpenja diversi partijiet ikkonċernati, l-organizzazzjonijiet, u l-pubbliku permezz ta’ proċessi parteċipattivi u riċerka estensiva.
“Aħna ferħanin li qed inħabbru r-reġistrazzjoni tal-Fondazzjoni Victoria 2031, li huwa mument kruċjali fil-vjaġġ kulturali ta’ Għawdex lejn il-Kapitali Ewropea tal-Kultura 2031” qal Dr. Samuel Azzopardi, President tar-Reġjun t’Għawdex. “Il-missjoni tagħna hija li nuru l-wirt kulturali vibranti ta’ Għawdex, filwaqt li nrawmu wkoll l-għaqda u l-kreattività fi ħdan il-komunità tagħna.”
Il-Fondazzjoni hija magħmula minn bord ta’ membri distinti, li jinkludu rappreżentanti minn diversi setturi importanti:
Kunsill ta’ Sorveljanza:
- Is-Sur John Borg, Segretarju Permanenti għall-Ministeru għal Għawdex u l-Ippjanar
- Is-Sinjura Rita Mifsud Attard, Segretarju Eżekuttiv tal-Kunsill Reġjonali ta’ Għawdex
- Is-Sinjura Miriam Attard, Segretarju Eżekuttiv tal-Kunsill Lokali tar-Rabat
- Is-Sur John Buttigieg, Accountant
Gvernaturi:
- Dr Samuel Azzopardi (Chairman/Fundatur), President tal-Kunsill Reġjonali ta’ Għawdex
- Is-Sindku Josef Schembri (Vici-chairman/Fundatur), Sindku tal-Kunsill Lokali Rabat Citta’ Victoria
- Is-Sur Daniel Borg, CEO tal-Gozo Business Chamber
- Dr Maria Frendo
- Is-Sur Alfred Camilleri
- Is-Sur Stephen Cini
- Is-Sur Charlie Hili
Photo: Joe Attard
L-għan ewlieni tal-Fondazzjoni huwa li tfassal ktieb tal-offerti konvinċenti, li juri l-wirt kulturali, il-kreattività u l-potenzjal ta’ Għawdex. L-ewwel abbozz tal-ktieb tal-offerti huwa skedat biex jiġi sottomess f’Ottubru 2024, li jimmarka l-bidu tal-proċess ta’ evalwazzjoni tiegħu. Għawdex se qed jikkompeti mal-Birgu, f’din il-kompetizzjoni prestiġjuża.
L-inizjattiva Kapitali Ewropeja tal-Kultura, stabbilita fl-1985, għandha l-għan li tiċċelebra r-rikkezza u d-diversità tal-kulturi Ewropej filwaqt li trawwem l-iżvilupp tal-bliet u l-kooperazzjoni internazzjonali. Aktar minn 60 belt madwar l-Unjoni Ewropea u lil hinn ingħataw dan it-titlu prestiġjuż, li wassal għal benefiċċji kulturali, soċjali u ekonomiċi sinifikanti.
Hekk kif Għawdex jibda dan il-vjaġġ trasformattiv, il-Fondazzjoni Victoria 2031 tistieden lill-partijiet interessati kollha u lill-membri tal-komunità biex jipparteċipaw b’mod attiv u jikkontribwixxu għat-tiswir ta’ futur kulturali vibranti għall-gżira tagħna.
Informazzjoni dwar il-Kapitali Ewropeja tal-Kultura
(Sors: Kummissjoni Ewropea, 2024)
Inizjattiva li tpoġġi il-kultura fil-qalba tal-bliet Ewropej bl-appoġġ tal-UE għal ċelebrazzjoni tal-arti u l-kultura tul sena.
l-inizjattiva tal-Kapitali Ewropejaj tal-Kultura (ECOC) hija mfassla biex:
- Nenfasizzaw ir-rikkezza u d-diversità tal-kulturi fl-Ewropa
- Tiċċelebra s-sehem tal-karatteristiċi kulturali tal-Ewropej
- Jiżdied is-sens ta’ appartenenza taċ-ċittadini Ewropej f’żona kulturali komuni
- It-trawwim tal-kontribut tal-kultura għall-iżvilupp tal-bliet
Minbarra dan, l-esperjenza wriet li l-avveniment huwa opportunità eċċellenti għal:
- Ir-riġenerazzjoni tal-bliet
- Jgħolli l-profil internazzjonali tal-bliet;
- It-titjib tal-immaġni tal-bliet f’għajnejn l-abitanti tagħhom stess
- Nifs u ħajja ġdida fil-kultura tal-belt
- Spinta lit-turiżmu
L-inizjattiva ġiet żviluppata fl-1985 u, sal-lum, ġiet mogħtija lil aktar minn 60 belt madwar l-Unjoni Ewropea (UE) u lil hinn.
Aktar informazzjoni dwar l-inizjattiva tal-Kapitali Ewropea tal-Kultura:
https://culture.ec.europa.eu/policies/culture-in-cities-and-regions/european-capitals-of-culture