On Friday, March 15th, on the occasion of the European Year of Islands 2024, the “Dialogue on the Phoenicians’ Route” officially began in Malta. The event was organized in collaboration with the two Maltese partners of our Cultural Route: the Local Councils’ Association and Inizjamed, in partnership with the American University of Malta and with the support of the Ministry for Finance and Employment of the Government of Malta.

The opening ceremony took place at Castelletti Palace in Rabat.

Opening Remarks, moderated by John Mallia, Managing Director, Mediacoop Ltd, were delivered by Mr Mario Fava, President of Local Councils’ Association and Vice President of Congress of the Regional and Local Authorities of the Council of Europe, Mr Sandro Azzopardi, President of the Western Regional Council and Mr Antonio Barone, Director of the Phoenicians’ Route – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.
At the end of the speeches, Antonio Barone delivered to Mrs Polonca Vodopivec and Mrs Tanja Dimitrijević, Project Coordinators of the Department for Economy and Development, Municipality of Ajdovščina (Slovenia) with the official certificate of membership in the Phoenicians’ Route. This is the first Slovenian municipality to join the Route.
Participants from several countries joining the Phoenicians’ Route were finally cheered with a performance of traditional dances and songs.

On Saturday morning the Kick-off Meeting and International General Assembly of the Phoenicians’ Route were held at the American University of Malta in Bormla.