Just days after the presentation of Budget 2026, the Ministry for Culture, the Arts and Local Government has officially finalised the purchase of the King’s Own Band Club premises in Valletta.The society had faced a genuine and serious risk of eviction from its premises due to legal issues related to pre-1995 rental agreements.In total, the Ministry invested €7.4 million for the acquisition of the property, covering the purchase price and an additional €1.8 million in compensation payments to the owners in accordance with the law. This brings the total number of band club premises definitively purchased by the Ministry to thirteen, with another property – the Madonna ta’ Pompei Society premises in Marsaxlokk – currently under a preliminary agreement pending the signing of the final contract.“Today we are providing peace of mind to another historic society that for many years has been a pillar of the Maltese festa. The Government is ensuring that this property continues to serve the community and culture. Never before has a Government invested so much in our festas – with over €30 million being committed to safeguard fourteen band clubs, as the festas themselves have been recognised by UNESCO as part of the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage,” The Minister for Culture, the Arts and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, stated.“All this demonstrates how strongly this Government believes in our cultural heritage and in the strength of the Maltese identity – and it is made possible because Malta has a sound and resilient economy,” He added.The thirteen band club premises conclusively acquired by the Ministry to date are:Għaqda tal-Mużika San Gejtanu A.D. 1906Soċjetà Mużikali Marija Reġina Marsa A.D. 1977Għaqda Mużikali Stella Levantina, Ħ’AttardCircolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja, KalkaraSoċjetà Każin Santa Liena Banda Duke of Connaught’s Own, BirkirkaraSoċjetà Mużikali Antoine de Paule, PaolaSoċjetà Mużikali Stella Maris, SliemaGħaqda Mużikali San Pietru fil-Ktajjen, BirżebbuġaGħaqda Soċjomużikali Anici, QormiSoċjetà Filarmonika Santa Marija, MostaSoċjetà Sant’Andrija, LijaBanda 12th May, ŻebbuġKing’s Own Band Club, VallettaIn total, the Ministry is expected to invest around €30 million, taking into account the amount already spent on the acquisition of the thirteen properties listed above, as well as the pending investment for the Madonna ta’ Pompei Society premises in Marsaxlokk once its final contract is completed.What do you make of this?•