Region of Culture 2026

A word from the President

The 2026 Region of Culture designation is a significant moment for our Region. Unlike regions shaped by conquest or defined solely by geography, ours is defined by a shared commitment to cooperation, coexistence and collective prosperity across our communities. This opportunity allows us to shape our future together, guided by creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. Culture and the arts lie at the heart of this journey. They humanise us, giving voice to who we are as communities, while inviting us to listen, learn and grow through the experiences of others. Our Region is fortunate to be home to communities with proud, long-established identities and traditions, alongside emerging communities whose stories are still being written. This diversity, often approached as a challenge, is powerful when put together.

Through the 2026 programme, we will work hard to celebrate our communities, honour their histories and traditions, and build a lasting legacy rooted in collaboration, understanding and shared cultural expression for generations to come.

Paul Farrugia

Celebrating the cultural life of Malta’s Regions

The Region of Culture title, which forms part of an initiative by the Local Government Division and the parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, aims to highlight and celebrate the cultural life of Malta’s six regions. In 2026, it will be the Port Regional Council’s turn to celebrate the varied tapestry of traditions, cultures and communities that make up the Region’s eleven localities. Composed of Valletta, Floriana, Birgu, Bormla, Isla, Kalkara, Xghajra, Zabbar, Tarxien, Paola and Fgura, our Region is home to our Islands’ capital, to the culturally and historically rich Cottonera and to the surrounding localities which are already home to many traditions, people and stories. Through the funding provided with this title, our Region will hold the honour of creating a program that celebrates our communities, highlighting their challenges and empowering a vision of change through creative engagement.

Our Cultural Program, designed by the award-winning community artist and artistic director Joseph Galea, in collaboration with the Port Regional Council, the Regional President Paul Farrugia, the Regional Secretary Lianne Cassar and the Port Cultural Manager Veronika Mercieca, aims to create a unified vision built on cooperation, culture, healthy competition and engagement. Of utmost importance for us are the communities that have shaped and that continue to engage with our Region’s cultural life. It is to them that we dedicate our vision.

A word from the Artistic Director

L-istorja tal-port il-kbir timmarka l-bidu taċ-ċiviltà fil-gżejjer tagħna. Kienet il-pedament li fuqu nbniet l-identità ta’ pajjiżna. Permezz tas-Sena tar-Reġjun Kulturali, nimpenjaw ruħna li nħarsu l-wirt kulturali tagħna, billi nassiguraw li ebda parti mill-istorja tagħna ma tintilef, tintesa jew titħalla tgħib. L-istorja rikka marbuta mal-port u l-inħawi tiegħu, tkompli tiggwidana hekk kif inħarsu lejn il-futur u nibqgħu attenti għar-realtajiet ġodda li qed jevolvu fil-komunitajiet tagħna. Dan nagħmluh billi l-inizjattivi artistiċi tagħna jindirizzaw l-inklużjoni, id-diversità, il-multikulturaliżmu, il-bidliet demografiċi u l-ħtieġa dejjem tikber għall-aċċessibbiltà għall-arti u d-dritt għall-kultura. Filwaqt li nkomplu niċċelebraw u nsaħħu l-identità kulturali tagħna, nibqgħu naħdmu biex kulħadd ikollu post fil-programm li se nippreżentaw. Inġibu l-arti fil-qalba tal-komunitajiet tagħna u fi spazji ġodda, insaħħu r-rabtiet ma’ entitajiet li qed jaħdmu fostna u nikkonsolidaw il-kwalità ta’ dak li għandna. Fuq kollox, il-viżjoni tagħna hija li nħallu l-wirt kulturali aħjar milli sibnieh, li jonora l-passat u jispira lill-ġenerazzjonijiet futuri.

Joseph Galea

"L-Istorja Tankrana,
Il-Mewg Jiggwidana"

"History Is Our Anchor
The Waves, Our Guide"

A word from the Cultural Manager

It is both a pleasure and a privilege to collaborate with the Artistic Director and the team at the Port Regional Council in delivering this programme. I am confident that the projects presented reflect strong ambition and vision, shaped by the expertise, passion and commitment of the practitioners, communities and organisations involved. Together, I hope we can help create another year that is both memorable and meaningful. May the Region of Culture celebrate the distinctive history and heritage of the Port Region, while also offering experiences to be shared and enjoyed by its residents, diverse communities, and all those we encounter along the way.

Veronika Mercieca