Tourism Minister: It's not our job to ensure fireworks in Valletta

Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo has denied securing favourable treatment for his hometown and electoral district through a Malta Tourism Authority-funded fireworks display in Mellieħa for New Year's Eve.

Bartolo said that a total of 21 localities received funding for Christmas-related activities, including the three cities of Cottonera, which will also have a fireworks display.

“Help has been spread across the entire country,” he told Times of Malta. "Not only Mellieħa received assistance."  

Questions about the MTA-funded Mellieħa event were stoked earlier this week when it emerged that while there will be fireworks in Mellieħa, the skies will remain dark in capital city Valletta.

It is highly unusual for New Year's Eve festivities in the capital city to not be accompanied by fireworks.

Valletta Cultural Agency boss Jason Micallef told Times of Malta that Bartolo's ministry had told the agency that there was no money left to sponsor fireworks there, only to later announce a display in Mellieħa.  

"It is disappointing because the fireworks display had become an annual part of a massive event that was attracting international attention,” Micallef said.

“Every major capital city...