The remains of Malta

How frustrating it must be to hold an island, a town, a house dear to oneself and see it slowly turned into a heartless, lifeless rock.

So much of the individual flavour, colour and uniqueness of Malta has been lost, only a memory in the minds of people. There is very little left of Malta that may be considered endearing or unique to today's youth or tourists, let alone tomorrow's. The only pretty things left are those built by others long dead.

Everything done in the public sector is usually done quickly and as cheaply as possible, but with high returns to the contractors and virtually nil regard to aesthetics.

The private sector is not much better but at least the money spent is their own. In true gentlemanly manner some individuals have retained and enhanced the patina of some of their projects only to unwittingly highlight the pathetic and lacklustre developments of others. They are few and far between.

It might be enlightening to note that on a recent calendar themed Beautiful Malta, all 12 of the photographs were pre-1960. Is it too late to correct the damage?