FORTE CULTURA Network

FORTE CULTURA Malta Symposium 2026, Valletta (MT)
2026-10-14 00:00 - 2026-10-17 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) | Fort St. Elmo, Valetta, Valetta, Malta
The Department of Tourism Management of the University of Malta is pleased to announce that it will host the FORTE CULTURA Malta Symposium 2026.

Are you a manager or a curator of a fortified heritage site?

Were you involved in a conservation project of a castle or fort?

Were you involved in discussions on the appropriate adaptive reuse of a heritage site?

Have you considered a tourism or leisure use for the fortified heritage site in which you are involved?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, the FORTE CULTURA Malta Symposium 2026 is of interest to you. The University of Malta invites you to the Symposium. Attendance to the Symposium is free. This includes the organised visits to fortified heritage sites.

The purposes of the Symposium are;

to share knowledge and experience on the management of fortified heritage sites.

to explore ways how conservation can be funded

to discuss options for adaptive reuse with a focus on tourism and leisure uses

to promote the valorisation of fortified heritage

The Symposium will be an excellent opportunity for you to network and share your thoughts and ideas with like-minded people. You will also have the opportunity to be part of organised visits to several fortified historical sites in Valletta and at other places in Malta. Each site is a case study that offers lessons in relation to management, funding and/or conservation.

Dates: 14 to 17 October 2026. Venue: Fort St. Elmo, Valletta, Malta

Programme:

Day 1 – Wednesday 14 October 2026

Morning: Presentations by international and local delegates Afternoon: Visits to Fort St. Elmo and other Valletta sites Evening: Welcome Reception and Networking

Day 2 – Thursday 15 October: Day Tour of Malta Fortifications

Day 3 – Friday 16 October

Morning: Presentations by international and local delegates Afternoon: Walk tour of Valletta

Day 4 – Saturday 17 October

Morning: Visits to other fortified heritage sites in Valletta

A detailed programme is available here (pdf file). The file also includes summary information about the various sites that will be visited during the four days of the Symposium.

Registration (google form)

A limited number of places are available. Early registration is recommended.

You are advised not to make any flight or accommodation bookings until the Symposium organisers confirm acceptance of your registration.

Invitation to give a presentation

Two half days of the Symposium will be dedicated to parallel sessions (the mornings of 14th and 16th October). You are invited to give a 15 to 20 minute presentation at the Symposium. This is an opportunity for you to share your work experience on fortified heritage and receive feedback. Your presentation can be about management, conservation, funding, adaptive reuse, tourism, architecture, landscape or any other aspect relating to fortified heritage.

You can show your intention to present by replying to the final questions on the registration form. If you have any questions about any aspect of the Symposium write to office@forte-cultura.eu or mireille.stubbings@um.edu.mt.

FINAL NOTE: You may wish to apply for funding under the Culture Moves Europe programme of the European Commission (deadline: 30 April 2026). A successful application may result in a grant that covers most of your travel and accommodation cost for the Symposium. https://culture.ec.europa.eu/culture-moves-europe/call-for-individual-mobility-2025-2026.
