Exploring Cultural Diversity in Mellieħa

Culture Venture has been commissioned by the Mellieħa Local Council to carry out a sociological study on cultural diversity in Mellieħa. Led by Toni Attard and Prof. Valerie Visanich, the research explores how migration, mobility, and cultural participation are shaping the town’s contemporary identity.

Mellieħa, a coastal town in northern Malta, has undergone remarkable change in recent decades. Once characterised by a small, tight-knit community rooted in long-standing traditions, the locality has become a vibrant and diverse town that reflects wider demographic shifts across Malta. Migration, tourism, and internal mobility have introduced new cultural dynamics, transforming how residents interact, celebrate, and define community life.

This research seeks to:

• Profile Mellieħa’s population to understand patterns of nationality, migration, and age.
• Map the town’s cultural landscape, its organisations, institutions, and informal networks.
• Explore how residents experience and perceive cultural diversity in everyday life.
• Identify opportunities for greater intercultural dialogue, collaboration, and participation.

Ultimately, the project aims to generate insights that inform local cultural policy and community development initiatives, supporting Mellieħa’s journey toward a more inclusive and cohesive cultural future.

The study combines quantitative and qualitative methods to capture both demographic trends and lived experiences.

• Demographic profiling uses official data from the National Statistics Office to trace key changes in the town’s composition.
• Stakeholder interviews and focus groups bring together residents, local leaders, and representatives from cultural organisations, NGOs, and grassroots initiatives. These conversations will explore themes such as cultural identity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Cultural mapping identifies Mellieħa’s key cultural actors, from band clubs and religious societies to arts associations and emerging community groups, highlighting their roles in shaping cultural life and fostering connection.

Central questions guiding the research include:

• How do Mellieħa’s residents experience cultural diversity?
• What role do local organisations play in supporting intercultural exchange?
• How can cultural initiatives promote dialogue, participation, and social cohesion?

By engaging multiple perspectives, long-standing residents, newcomers, youth, and cultural stakeholders, the project will reveal how different cultural layers coexist and interact within the town’s evolving identity.

This study will culminate in a comprehensive report offering:

• A sociological profile of Mellieħa’s population and cultural ecosystem.
• Case studies of local initiatives promoting intercultural collaboration.
• Recommendations for policy and practice that encourage inclusive cultural participation.

Through this work, Culture Venture aims to support Mellieħa in cultivating a shared vision for its cultural future, one that celebrates diversity, values dialogue, and strengthens community ties.