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Jason Micallef Scolded By His Capital Of Culture Peers For ‘Lacking European Values’ ​

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Eight past and future representatives of the European Capital of Culture have struck out at Valletta 2018 chairman Jason Micallef for his Facebook comments deriding assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, warning that they go against “European values”.

“The European Capital of Culture project calls on us to live and to foster European values such as freedom of speech and expression, and artistic freedom, as well as civic courage and engagement,” the members – who form part of the Informal Network of European Capital of Culture – said in a statement. “We will not see these fundamental values ridiculed and spoiled within our midst. It is our responsibility to ensure that the European Capital of Culture project remains a space for the protection and embracing of the values mentioned above. Values which are under constant threat.”

The members who signed the statement are Nadja Grizzo and Hanns-Dietrich Schmidt from Essen/RUHR 2010, Tamás Szalay from Pécs 2010, Janina Strötgen and Andreas Wagner from Esch 2022, Yves Vasseur from Mons 2015, and Kelly Diapouli and Maria Philippi from Eleusis 2021.

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Jason Micallef (left) at the recent Malta Fashion Awards 

Jason Micallef has found himself at the receiving end of criticism for mocking the last words of Daphne Caruana Galizia and for calling for the removal of her Valletta memorial, as well as for engaging in social media spats with local artists. 

The Foundation for the Dutch towns of Leuuwarden and Fryslan, which are sharing the position of European Capital of Culture with Valletta this year, announced last month it won’t send any representatives to Malta until the Valletta 2018 Foundation distances itself from Micallef’s comments.

Some of the most prominent writers in the world have urged the European Commission to investigate his derogatory Facebook posts and 100 local artists recently signed a petition to the Prime Minister calling for Micallef’s instant resignation. 

Micallef has repeatedly defended his comments on the basis of his right to express himself freely. 

Should Jason Micallef stay on as Valletta 2018 chairman? 

READ NEXT: Jason Micallef Responds To ‘Bitter’ Critics Of Valletta 2018 Acrobat Show

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Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

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