The Network of European Museum Organisation (NEMO), which links over 30,000 museums around Europe, is hosting its annual conference in Malta in 2018 – the year in which Valletta will be he hosting the title of European Capital of Culture.

The Minister of Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici said that, through the new Museum of Fine Arts (MUŻA) project, Heritage Malta would be proud to host the Network of European Museum Organisations. MUŻA is also a Valletta 2018 flagship project.

“Malta is relevant for Europe in various sectors, not least in the sector of Heritage and the Arts,” Minister Bonnici said. The Minister also explained that this was a great opportunity to put MUŻA on the European map.

Minister Owen Bonnici explained that the conference is a unique opportunity to showcase the ground-breaking work, methodologies and results which the MUŻA project aspires to achieve and consolidate. “This is an opportunity not to be missed because of the networking possibilities,” he said.

NEMO Chairman Mr. David Vuillaume stated that NEMO is well acquainted with the MUŻA project, adding that MUŻA not only promotes NEMO’s values but also supersedes them.

These values include:

  • Presenting the story of art through selected objects and complementing comparisons. Audiences, particularly locals, shall be empowered to think and debate beyond the traditional art museum experience.
  • Empowering interface and networking between diverse communities and social strata on a local, regional and international level.
  • Becoming a self-sustainable and energy efficient, carbon neutral institution with potential zero carbon footprint and significant energy cost savings through carefully developed measures.

Dr Vuillaume stated that NEMO is looking forward to holding its annual conference in Malta during the year 2018 to celebrate two monumental cultural events: Valletta hosting the European City of Culture title and the opening of MUŻA. NEMO annual conferences are held every November and attract around 150 delegates from all over Europe.