Sharing the Legacy, Valletta 2018’s fifth annual conference being held between the 24th-26th October, encourages broad reflection on the central issues that define urban life by channelling its discussions through the basic question of “What makes a city better?”. This reflection aims to understand how cities can be shaped to better suit the needs and desires of the individuals and communities that it hosts, whether on a permanent or temporary basis.
This concept develops the discussions held at previous Valletta 2018 conferences, particularly on the themes of well-being and happiness of residents, participation in cultural and creative life, dialogue and inclusion amongst different communities, and social and environmental sustainability, amongst others.
The conference will adopt Jane Jacobs’ oft-cited maxim that “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody” (1961) to question whether this is an approach that is being adopted in the urban development taking place in different cities, including those engaging with the title of European Capital of Culture.
Through these discussions, the conference aims be a reiteration of the democratic process through cultural practice, whereby the relationship between the individual, the collective, and their communities is realised by means of a tangible legacy.
These concerns will be addressed through the following thematic strands.
- Culture, Politics & Capital in Urban Transformation
- Renewal of the City
- The Unintentional Legacy
- Understanding the City
A Call for Submissions for presentations during the Valletta 2018 Sharing the Legacy Conference is currently open until Monday 9th April.
Submissions are to be sent through the following format:
- Project title
- Five keywords
- Abstract not exceeding 250 words
- List of which of the conference themes the abstract addresses (maximum of 3, in preferential order)
- Short bibliography in support of the proposal
- Type of presentation being proposed – oral, performance, workshop, etc.
- Full details of primary author, including name, surname, title, institution, email, phone number
- Name(s) of other authors (if applicable)
- A short bio of all authors, not exceeding 200 words.
We encourage proposals that address various forms of presentations, including performative, artistic or academic interventions. To apply, kindly send an email to [email protected]. Successful entries will be notified by the end of May 2018.
For further information, view the full conference brief here.
For the full call and more information about the conference, visit the conference website.