Museums and local communities in Valletta

Abstract

Valletta's extraordinary concentration of well-preserved monuments and fortifications has earned it recognition as a city of 'outstanding universal value' in terms of the UNESCO (1972) World Heritage Convention. As Malta's capital, it is also the administrative and commercial centre of a small state on the southern fringe of Europe and also home to a diverse mix of resident communities. The demands and visions for Valletta as a World Heritage City, as a vibrant capital and as a residential neighbourhood may easily diverge. The fact that Valletta has to fulfil this triple role make it an interesting case study in the tensions and synergies that may develop between global and local values, and their consequences with regard to the way people engage with cultural heritage. This thesis examines the role museums play in this interface between local values and world heritage. The thesis applies an assets-based approach to creative community building. It takes a glimpse at the creative energies that exist within Valletta, but mainly go unnoticed. By highlighting museums' attitudes towards Valletta and her residents, and in turn taking a look at residents' sense of identity and perception of the city, this thesis seeks to identify assets that can form the basis for a creative synergy between residents, museums and the city.