V18 makes new top appointments as departures continue to stir controversy

Catherine Tabone has been appointed executive director of the Valletta 2018 Foundation. Joanna Attard Mallia has become cultural programmes coordinator, while controversy continues over the departures of their predecessors.  The foundation said Ms Tabone (right) is a graduate of the University of Malta and Cambridge, having specialised in cultural history. Over the past 13 years she occupied various public sector posts including curator of the Inquisitors' Palace and later, Director of Culture.  Her predecessor, Karsten Xuereb, is to move to the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, 'by mutual agreement' the foundation said.  The foundation also said that Margerita Pulè, who used to be its cultural programmes coordinator, was also given another 'important post'.   Ms Joanna Attard Mallia, who was an assistant coordinator, has been appointed coordinator.  Justice and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici told Times of Malta that two people would be moving for the good of the organisation. "The move will also be good for them: they will be given new opportunities in the cultural sector and new, very good, people will be taking over their roles." (See video above) The foundation denied...